Recorded and aired on The Dominic King Show – BBC Radio Kent –
Nov 3rd 2020

Hilda could hear Nurse clicking her fingers, but she chose to keep her eyes tightly shut. 

“Hilda dear, it’s time to come back into the present. Zoe, your granddaughter has come to visit.”

Hilda continued to ignore Nurse’s patronising voice.  She felt perfectly happy in her bubble of the past, singing on stage, wearing sequins, and sparkly dancing shoes.

After a few moments she opened her eyes and immediately recognised her only granddaughter.  

Zoe waved at Hilda from a corner of the room and from her brightly coloured satchel she pulled out a large plastic box.

“Hey, Grandma. I’ve brought your favourite -A bakewell tart.”

Nurse already noting the need to slice Zoe’s baking efforts, whisked the tart away. After a few moments she reappeared carrying a tray with a pot of tea, the sliced tart, served with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream.

She handed the tray over to Zoe to carry.

And once Nurse wheeled Hilda into the warm autumn sunshine in the courtyard, she marched back inside the building.

When Zoe visited, Hilda made a point of stepping into the present.

“How lucky am I to have such a beautiful granddaughter who brings me cake.” Hilda’s face beamed in delight.

They ate the delicious tart and sipped tea.

“Now that Nurse, with all her fussing, has pushed off, we can have some chat. 

By the by…. I have news of a romantic nature to share.” Hilda piped up.

“I have met someone rather special. His name is Mr Thyme.

He lives in the now and enjoys being present. And, as you know, I prefer to live in the past. This arrangement suits us both just fine.

But, please don’t mention this to your mother or to Nurse.

They will disapprove and call it another one of my fantasy notions.”

Nurse appeared at the double doors and tapped her watch. She suggested to Zoe that she wheel Hilda back to her room.

Hilda whispered to Zoe. “Once Nurse goes off duty, I wheel myself to where Mr Thyme sits at this hour. We hold hands, drink more tea with a shot or three of brandy at this cocktail hour.” Hilda laughed.

“Good on you Grandma,” Zoe blew her a kiss and said goodbye.

“Come back soon, with more cake and I’ll introduce you to Mr Thyme,”

Hilda waved to her granddaughter.