Ollie Savage

Chapter 11

As if Ollie hasn't got enough on his plate already, he and Deena welcome their first child, a beautiful baby girl who is delivered by caesarean section. Both mum and baby are healthy and should soon be up and running. In the meanwhile, Ollie helps mum with her showers and housework as well as his daughter's needs. They make it work until mum is back on her feet. They have fallen in love with the baby so much so, all is forgiven and forgotten. The only thing that matters is their family's health and wellbeing. Until Nancy's twin pregnancy proves problematic that is.

Nancy has been lurking in the shadows while the focus was on Deena's pregnancy. The doctors believe her twins may not go full term due to gestational hypertension. The key now is to eat healthy, avoid high sodium foods and get plenty of some tender love and care. College is proving too much for Ollie, who had not seen a classroom since leaving his village aged sixteen. It is a shock to the system waking up to a crying-hungry baby, a five o'clock alarm and catching the packed train which drops him off where he still needs to walk in the rain and snow the rest of the way. Hope is not all lost as he gets a day off on Wednesdays to report at the Home Office and squeeze in some side-hustle, assignments and baby Mamas' time.

He has finally submitted all the supporting evidence for his case and Zoe has assured him that he has one of the best cases she has ever worked on. She is confident that this unique case only leads to refugee status. He takes copies of transcripts from Zoe and goes over them while sitting at the back of the 197 double decker bus that he had missed. He writes a short poem reflecting on his journey since arriving in England. Reading it back to himself feels as if someone else had written it. It's only at this very moment he realises he is truly talented at something. He doesn't finish admiring his own work when his phone starts ringing.

"Hello, Ollie here."

"Congratulations Baba. How is my grand-daughter?"

"Mother, how are you? Your granddaughter is very well. Oh, she is so beautiful Mama. What about you, how are you feeling now?"

"You know me son, I won't go down easily. You will have to put up with me for quite some time. How are my daughters-in-law?"

"They are both doing well, Mama. Just trying to keep them from killing each other, but we are all well otherwise."

"So, you heard about the pacemaker, right?"

"I heard Mama. I think you know where I stand with that. I feel it's too risky given your age. There are infections especially, to worry about and it won't guarantee immortality Mama."

"I know. I have told your siblings, but you know them, they just want you to sponsor everything. Personally, I feel that I have lived my life long enough. I am happy taking my chances with the heart God has given me."

"Aww, thank you Mama. I am glad you feel that way too. How is my boy, Bonny?"

"He is all grown up now, and he is at school at the moment. His mother came by yesterday."

"Oh, how is Yinka?"

"She is doing well for herself; she is married now and has another child."

"Oh, good for her. Thank you so much Mama, for looking after Bonny. Tell him I will bring him over, once I have my papers Mama."

"All in God's time son."

"Thank you, Mama. I will talk to everyone and make sure they understand your position, with that pacemaker issue."

"Take care son, and remember..."

"There is an opportunity to learn in every situation, I know Mama. I am learning on the job."