Jonathan's grandparents, Malcolm and Janice Pridham had gone to New Zealand for Christmas 2007. They went to stay with their youngest son Kevin, and to meet his partner Owen. This had caused a lot of discussion in the family. Michael, their eldest son and his wife Lois, were bitterly opposed to the visit. They said it was encouraging Kevin's sinfulness, and homosexuals were an abomination in the sight of the Lord. Their middle son, Stephen and his wife Paula had encouraged the visit.
Malcolm said that Christmas was a good time to visit the Antipodes, as it was their summer, and the garden back home in Whitgest could be left to its own devices for six weeks at that time of year.
They enjoyed their visit. They liked and got on well with Owen. They enjoyed Napier where Kevin and Owen lived. The four of them had gone over to the South Island for two weeks, and that too had been a success. Janice decided she liked being in the company of three men, her husband and two gay men. Little did she know that her husband was also actively gay. There was much laughter as they journeyed round the South Island.
Malcolm and Janice had rented a car and toured the North Island alone. They enjoyed Rotoroa and even got to the far north seeing the 2000 year old kauri tree which was called Tane Mahuta - the God of the Forest.
All too soon their holiday was over and they were home to a cold and wet early English February.
It was on their third morning home, while Malcolm had his head buried in the newspaper that Janice dropped her bombshell. "I'm going to the doctor's at 10.30."
"Yes, dear." Malcolm's mind was elsewhere. "What for?"
"I have a lump in my breast and I think the doctor should see it."
"What!" Malcolm crushed the paper down in front of him, something he very rarely did. "How long have you had that?"
"Since about a month before going to New Zealand."
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you go to the doctor's as soon as you knew?"
"Because, Dear, I wanted to go to New Zealand to see how Kevin is getting on and to meet Owen."
"You know they are always saying these things should be dealt with as soon as possible."
"Yes, Dear. Don't fuss. I'm now off to the doctor's."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"I am quite capable of looking after myself. I will be back in plenty of time to get you lunch."
Janice came over and gave Malcolm a parting kiss, and went on her way.
From then on events moved fast for Janice and the rest of the Pridham family. Within the week she had an appointment at the hospital. It was quickly discovered that she had cancer. She had an operation, and it revealed that the cancer was very widespread. The consultant was amazed that she had shown or felt no other symptoms.
The family were kept informed at each stage.
She returned home and ten days later began to feel ill. Two weeks before Easter Janice was taken into the hospice in Hitchin. Kevin flew back from New Zealand and had a couple of hours alone with his mother the day before she lapsed into a coma.
A few days before, Michael and Jonathan had gone to visit Janice. Michael left the room, saying he had something to do, and would be back in half an hour or so. Only later did Jonathan realise that that had been pre-planned.
Jonathan sat by the bedside, holding his grandmother's hand. He had never encountered a very sick person, and had no experience of death and dying. He was fearful that Janice would die while he was alone with her.
Janice asked him about his future plans, and what career he intended to take up. She knew the answers already, but it served to put Jonathan more at ease.
"Jon, you and Gramps [Jonathan's name for his grandfather] are very close. It isn't that he doesn't love the other grandchildren, or that he has shown you favouritism. The two of you are close, there seems to be an understanding, a sympathy between the two of you."
"Is there, Gran?"
"I can see it. You're probably still too young to see it. Sorry to say that, I know young men of your age don't like being told they are still too young." Janice squeezed his hand. "I know the family will take care of him. Just remember you're special to him, and I think he's in some way special to you."
"I will, Gran."
Janice died in the early hours of the Thursday morning before Easter. Malcolm and their three sons were with her.
Lois told Jonathan when he came down to breakfast on Good Friday morning. He fought back the tears, and retreated to his room as soon as he could, where he wept.
The funeral was held in Whitgest Parish Church. Bruce Perkins, the vicar, took the service. Bruce and Malcolm had strongly disagreed over homosexuality, when the Kevin crisis broke. [See Malcolm's Boys] Malcolm had hardly been in church since. Malcolm had spoken to his boys several times. "I must say Bruce Pekins has been a good vicar. He visited Janice regularly as soon as he knew she was ill. He visited her in the hospice every two or three days. There is some real good in the man after all."
Jonathan, as the oldest Grandchild, read a lesson at the service; which he found very difficult. On a sunny March morning, Thursday 27 March, with the daffodils beginning to bloom and nodding in the breeze, Janice Pridham was buried in Whitgest churchyard.
Family and friends went back to the local pub where refreshments were served. Then in the late afternoon Malcolm and the family went back to the family home in Whitgest. The younger children played in the garden. Lois and Pauline made yet another pot of tea.
Jonathan sat on a sofa with his arm around Malcolm. Both of them had found the funeral and the reception afterwards difficult. It was for Jonathan a totally new experience. He met some distant relatives for the first time. Many of them said, 'You are like your Grandfather.' But now they sat together, in a silent companionship.
The truce between Michael and Kevin was being maintained, each trying to keep out of the other's way, without it appearing too obvious or creating an atmosphere.
Jonathan saw, through the window, that Kevin had gone out into the garden. Michael's back was to the window, so Jonathan was able to get up and follow his uncle outside without his father knowing. He caught up with Kevin at the top of the garden.
"Come out for a breath of air, Uncle?"
"Yes, I don't know when, if ever, I'll be back here. But drop the 'Uncle', just call me, Kevin."
"Surely you'll be coming back from time to time?"
"Maybe. There's Dad to bring me back, but I don't know that your Dad is exactly pleased to see me. Katie has very grudgingly given me a chance to see young Beckie before I go back. I'm going up to York tomorrow, and coming back the next day, and then I'm flying back to Kiwiland."
"Kevin, do you remember us talking up here a couple of years ago, just before you went out to New Zealand?"
"Yes, I have often thought about you and what you said then. You told me that you thought you might be gay."
"I thought I might be then, now I know I am."
Kevin looked at Jonathan and grinned. "So something has happened?"
"Yes, very definitely something has happened." Jonathan proceeded to tell Kevin all that had happened with Robert Fox.
"You are happy with it?"
"Very much. We're trying to make up for lost time!"
Kevin laughed. "Just make sure your father doesn't find out. I dread to think what would happen if he discovered his son and heir is gay."
"So do I. Bob's parents go out to work, so his place is often free. In fact his folk are away the weekend after next, and it has been arranged I am going round there for a sleep over to keep him company. Four nights sleeping together!"
"I bet you don't do much sleeping."
"Will you be wanting a report?" Jonathan winked.
"Yes, every sordid detail. Yes, every hard on, and every cumming!"
"Uncle Kevin!"
They both laughed.
"I think you have my Email address, so we can keep in touch." Kevin pulled out a card with his address, phone number and Email address on it and gave it to Jonathan.
"I'd better be going before Dad sends out a search party."
"Yes, he'll see me as a corrupter of youth."
"Too late, I've already been corrupted," said Jonathan with a grin, and turned to go.
"Let me give you a hug first."
They stood and gave each other a long hug. Kevin broke it, by patting Jonathan's bum. "Off you go, all the best."
Jonathan went off back to the house, and Kevin followed several minutes later.
*** Next part will be a report on the weekend, and will be post shortly after