Commitment

Part 78

Getting undressed was not easy, but she managed to strip off her knickers and bra. Getting dress again was easy because she opted for no bra, pulled on her knickers and left the towel around her and called Lucy. Lucy helped with the loose t-shirt dress. And again helped Regan get back to her bed.

It was a short shower, but took a lot of time to get there and also took a lot of time to return to bed. But she could see that while it sapped Regan's energy, she could also see that Regan was happier.

"Oh, that was wonderful!" Regan said as she scrambled backwards on her bed. "Thanks Lucy."

"You are welcome." She reached forward and with a towel, briskly rubbed Regan's hair. "Do you want the hairdryer?" Though Lucy did not know if Regan had a hairdryer.  

"No. Thanks." Regan shook her head. 

So Lucy gently combed Regan's hair and she was pretty sure that Regan's hair would dry soon. "You actually look better." She tipped her head to the side, and looked at Regan again, "Although I can see that you are tired again."

Regan closed her eyes, and inhaled. "Yes, a bit." She opened her eyes. "But I feel great. Amazing how feeling fresh makes you happy. Not sure why exactly. But it is great. Simple pleasures. Clean clothes. Clean hair. Bliss! Thanks Lucy." Regan was telling the truth she felt better. Perhaps the antibiotics. Or just the shower. Or perhaps a combination. She felt better. Twenty four hours earlier, she was practically on her knees, and felt awful, and twenty four minutes ago, she was on her knees and it felt wonderful. 

Lucy watched her and said, "What about the dizziness? The spasms?"

"Still a bit dizzy. But I think the antibiotics are working." She smiled. "Guess what? No contractions for the last few hours. So that is good news." She hoped her progress would continued. Yesterday she felt like damp squib, but at least now, she felt like she was on the right route. She might even try some real food. She had not eaten yesterday because of the cramps in her guts.

"So some bacterium thing, I guess." Lucy said as if she had any idea about the cause.

"Probably." Regan smiled gently. She took her time as she settled on her bed.

"Or you were too tired and your immune system was shot!" Lucy rolled her eyes.

"Probably." Regan reached for her duvet and pulled it over her legs.

"What are you going to do?" Lucy asked as she helped Regan to draw the duvet over Regan's chest. Lucy frowned, "That shower has practically drained you!"

Regan ignored that last statement, instead opted for a general statement, "Dr Mcmahon, you know him, any way, he signed me off for a week."

"He signed you off, for a week. You must be ill." Lucy knew Regan would not remain in bed unless there was something really bad with her health. "Are you not telling me the truth?" She was worried.
Regan shook her head. "No, Lucy. I just need a bit of a rest." Regan exhaled.

Lucy folded her arms and pursed her lips before saying, "Well, stay in bed. You wouldn't need another shower! No reasons to leave your bed!"

"Stop nagging! I will be in bed. Flat. Horizontal! Ok!" She snuggled and smiled, "I am sure that Sam explained the situation. I don't have to worry about the herd."

"Yeah, he said." Lucy rolled her eyes, but at least with Regan's statement, she sound better. "Couldn't believe it, you have volunteers." Lucy said just to goad Regan. "The same ones who left you in this predicament!" Lucy was waiting to see if Regan was still supporting Gray's behaviour. And again, hoped it would lead to the conversation about Regan's feelings.

"They didn't!" Regan corrected again. "And they are not volunteers."

"Yes, they are!" Lucy said firmly. Though, Lucy was not sure about that. She had forgotten to ask Sam.

Regan felt really happy, because she was pleased that she had won the argument earlier this morning. An argument with Gray! Happily she related the outcome, "No. I and Gray discussed this. And we agreed this morning, I pay for four hours, across two sessions."

"And he accepted that."

"I told them they either take the money or don't work here!" She beamed as if she had won the Nobel peace prize.

"When did you develop this stubborn streak!" Lucy smirked.

"Twenty years ago! I had a good role model!" Regan grinned and Lucy rolled her eyes. "You know, Gray has a full time job, and he said he would find a local to help on the farm." Regan blew out a breath, and scowled, "I hope he finds someone. Anyone! If he found someone, and they could work here, just part time of course, I could pay."

Lucy poked her tongue into her cheek, and then bit her lip before saying, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Just the dairy herd now, so yes, I can afford help. But I am not sure that anyone around, would only want four hours." That is what worried Regan. On paper it suggested it could work, but the reality was different.

Lucy has a half–full-glass-attitude and said, "Well, that is practically half a day."

Regan chuckled softly. "Yes, but not like morning or afternoon, it would be spread over, two hours for the morning session and then again in the evening." Regan frowned. "I guess we could do that."

"We?" Lucy frowned.

"The new person does the morning stays for three or four hours, doing odd jobs here, and I do the evening milking." Regan was pleased she had a plan. She could do one session, with a bit of planning, she could schedule her shifts with the medical centre.

"Regan! That is silly. You will be back here, in bed, rundown again, with your immune system compromised, again! So, don't do that!" Lucy remonstrated with her. "Either you take on someone to help, and it fits in with the actual situation, not some random, wishy-washy strategies to suit someone else and not your circumstances. Honestly, Regan, think! This is not a good idea. Or you will end up with more debt! And will be ill, again."

"It is not wishy-washy!" Regan grumbled. The fact they were having this discussion showed they were good friends. No pretence. Just direct, no-nonsense statements. Regan looked over at Lucy and quirked an eyebrow, "Do you really think there are people around who will drive out, and work for two hours?"

"Yes!" Lucy said firmly. She was the straight-talking friend, who did not mince words, and was forthright, "Heard of job sharing?"

"Yes. But job sharing here?" Regan snorted and said curtly, "Are you kidding."

"Yes, have someone who is available for the morning and hire someone else for the evening?"

"That means we are looking for two people!" Regan frowned.

"So?" Lucy folded her arms and said, as if that was possible, "If Gray can't find someone to do the whole job, tell him to look for two people!"

"You do know he is doing me a favour!"

"Favour?" Lucy narrowed her eyes. Looks like Sam was right. She chuckled. "You think he is doing you a favour?"

"Yes, he is looking for workers, for me. He does not have to do that." She rolled her eyes when Lucy quirked an eyebrow. "And you want me to added criteria to my request, that is silly!."

"What is silly is that you think you should agree to his plans. You need workers for your situation, not for someone random." Lucy snapped.

"You are deliberately being difficult!" Regan snapped back.

"No. The only person being difficult is you!" Lucy snapped again.

"Ah, heard that." The door opened, "Good to hear you support my opinion, Lucy! Was not expecting that!" Gray said as he came inside the room with his grandfather beside him. 

Lucy snorted. Gray smiled at her. Most of his conversations with Lucy placed them at opposite ends because she was not happy with Gray and she made sure that Gray recognised that. 

But at the moment, he was more interested in the fact that  Lucy and Regan were arguing. That suggested that Regan was better.