Kris Massie's memories of Kitwe.
Part 08
In time Goldie’s offspring went to our friend's household but unfortunately some months later she was inadvertently run over. It was an appalling accident and they were very upset. Topsy went on to astonishingly mate with an Alsatian after digging her way out under the front hedge – I was horrified but there was little we could do. Goldie was fine with the new addition and left the protective Topsy alone to enjoy her motherhood despite Topsy’s fierce growling when she caught sight of her. Strangely enough her puppy was small enough for her to give birth to – I sometimes wonder at Mother Nature!
In time the puppy was given away but we were still concerned by Topsy’s behaviour toward Goldie and consulted vet Mike about it. He was not optimistic but worried that Topsy might well in time, attack a small child or worse, a baby. There is no cure for this and it was thought best to have her put down. Now that was one of the saddest days of my life too, but, we had to be practical. I cried all the way home in the car…
Our son joined other children at a nursery playgroup and months later fell ill with chickenpox doing the rounds. He coped very well as children do but it wasn’t something I had as a child despite Mom putting me daytime in brother's bed when he had it. I had thought myself immune over the years. I was at work when I developed an itch on my abdomen and on investigation there was the proof! I had to inform Mrs Myers and she was not at all pleased, ‘Now Van, who would do your work?’ were her first words! I offered to stay and infect everyone whereupon she reluctantly gave in!
I should mention that Mrs Myers could not pronounce my married name which was Dutch and she shortened it to ‘Van’ which I hated but could do nothing about!
I was very ill and our lovely Polish Dr Gottlieb prescribed a tranquilliser for day use and sleeping pills for nights. You couldn’t put a pin between the ‘blisters!’ Conscious of not scratching, when I got better I was left with two little indentations, one on my nose and one in my left ear. There was also the worry of Encephalitis due to some pain I had at the base of my neck however thankfully nothing untoward came of it.
It took weeks for the scabs to finally disappear which was when I asked for a mirror but no one would provide me with one! When I managed to laboriously crawl out of bed for such a long stay really weakens one – Oh Woe and Thrice Woe! Pale blue blotches greeted me and I burst into tears fearing I would never look the same as before. I needn’t have been concerned for after a week these too vanished and I returned to ‘normality’ and back to work.
We acquired a car the owner no longer wanted, an old Austin (with a ‘dickey!’) which allowed me to become more independent and get around. It wasn’t long before it gave up the ghost and we purchased a second hand car from a family leaving the country. A two-tone Humber Sceptre with a blue top and white skirt, very smart it was too and it drove like a dream.
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