A Long Way from Home: Part 2 of 3

‘We’ll order later. Thank you,’ Ian said, and ended the call.

Elaine looked at him.

‘I have another idea,’ he said. ‘At least one of the girls at the reception desk speaks good English. I’ll take Anastasia down and ask her to find out what she likes to eat. Failing that, if she doesn’t eat tomorrow we’ll have to phone Dr Ciobanu for advice.’

‘What if Anastasia throws a tantrum and starts screaming when you try to bring her back?’ Elaine asked, worried.

‘I’ll carry her.’

‘I’ll come with you to help,’ she said.

‘No. You stay here and have a rest. We won’t be long.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’

Elaine smiled gratefully. A few minutes to herself would be very welcome right now. She took one of Anastasia’s cardigans from her case as it was cooler in reception and helped her into it. ‘See you soon. Be good,’ she said, and kissed her cheek. Anastasia stared at her, uncomprehending.

Once they’d gone, Elaine had a quick tidy up – the room was in a mess – and then lay on the bed and tried to relax. Her eyes felt heavy and her forehead tight as if she had the beginning of a headache. Little wonder with everything they’d been through in the last twenty-four hours, and she reminded herself what a momentous, life-changing day it had been. They had woken as a childless couple, attended court, which had been emotionally exhausting in itself, and now they were parents, and Ian was out with their daughter. It didn’t get more significant than that!

Ian was gone for over half an hour and Elaine was on the verge of going to find them when she heard thumping on the door – Anastasia – and then Ian inserting his key card into the lock. Anastasia rushed into the room, clearly very excited. Ian was smiling too. ‘That girl on reception was so helpful,’ he said. ‘She was about to finish her shift but when I explained our problem she stayed and had a good chat with Anastasia. Then she helped me order from room service. I’ve ordered for us too. It should be here in about twenty minutes.’

‘Fantastic,’ Elaine said. She picked up Anastasia’s cardigan, which she’d thrown on the floor. ‘What else did she talk to her about? You were gone ages.’

‘She told Anastasia we were nice people and she was lucky to have a mummy and daddy to look after her. I asked her to explain that we would be staying in the hotel for a week and then flying home, and I showed her the photos of where we lived on my phone. She also told me about a park not far from here. I thought we could try it tomorrow, although obviously it’s cold so we wouldn’t stay long.’

‘Great. And Anastasia didn’t scream when you tried to bring her up to the room?’

‘No. She was fine. So hopefully she understands more now and will settle.’

‘Wonderful. Thank you.’ Buoyed up and feeling more positive, Elaine took out the crayons and colouring book she’d brought with them to keep Anastasia amused until their dinner arrived.

What she didn’t know until months later, when Anastasia had learned sufficient English to tell her, was that she’d repeatedly told the receptionist she didn’t want to stay with Mummy and Daddy, but to go back to the orphanage.

Despite ordering what Anastasia had told the receptionist she wanted, when the food arrived she ate very little. Ian said again that if it didn’t change tomorrow they’d have to phone Dr Ciobanu for advice. He and Elaine ate and then it was time for Anastasia to go to bed. Elaine helped her change into her pyjamas without too much fuss, explaining what she was doing and why, although Anastasia didn’t understand. Then she took her to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Anastasia seemed to know how to brush her teeth but didn’t like the toothpaste, although it was one sold in England for toddlers. She pulled a face and spat it on the floor. Elaine tried her with their adult toothpaste but she didn’t like that either. Perhaps she’d never used toothpaste before, but at least she had brushed her teeth, which was important.

Elaine and Ian knew it wasn’t ideal all sleeping in one room, but there wasn’t an alternative, and it was only for a week and then they’d be home and Anastasia would have her own room. Elaine also knew that establishing a good bedtime routine was important, so she read Anastasia a story, persuaded her into the foldaway bed, which was close to theirs, then they both kissed her goodnight and Ian dimmed the lights. As they were all in the same room Ian and Elaine lay on their bed and pretended to be asleep, with the intention that once Anastasia was in a deep sleep they could read for a while. But Anastasia had different ideas. She was in a strange room where everything was new and interesting. She certainly wasn’t ready to sleep. And unlike at the orphanage where the bars on her cot had kept her in, as well as a good telling-off if she tried to climb out, there were no bars on her bed and she was able to slip out easily. She ran around the room, not upset but more hyperactive, opening and closing drawers, picking up anything she could reach and then banging on the door. Elaine and Ian repeatedly resettled her and told her it was bedtime.

By midnight, when she still hadn’t settled, they were exhausted and craving sleep themselves, so they tried taking her into their bed, but she clambered out. Just before 2 a.m. their bedside phone rang and Ian answered it. It was reception. Someone had complained about the noise coming from their room and they were asked to keep it down for the convenience of other guests. Ian apologized and Elaine felt acutely embarrassed. They knew they were going to have to be firmer with Anastasia, so they took her into their bed again and this time stopped her from leaving. She screamed, kicked, tried to hit them but eventually fell asleep. When Elaine woke at 7.10 Anastasia was nowhere to be seen.

Chapter Twelve

Another Worry (#uf88ae39b-91eb-5316-bcea-17ea2e236753)

‘Where’s Anastasia?’ Elaine cried, sitting bolt upright and waking Ian. They were both immediately out of bed. She wasn’t in the room and Elaine rushed into the bathroom, followed by Ian. She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by the contents of Elaine’s handbag and playing with her mobile phone. ‘That’s naughty,’ Elaine said, taking the phone from her. Anastasia looked hurt.

‘She’s only playing,’ Ian said.

‘It’s not your phone,’ Elaine said sharply, checking to see what damage had been done.

Ian began collecting together the contents of Elaine’s handbag and returning them to the bag. Seeing her playthings disappear, Anastasia screamed.

‘Stop it!’ Elaine shouted, her nerves frayed from tiredness.

‘Come on,’ Ian said, taking Anastasia’s hand. ‘You can look at the photos on Daddy’s phone while Mummy showers and dresses.’

He took Anastasia into the room, sat her on their bed and gave her his phone to play with while he made coffee. He had a coffee ready for Elaine when she came out of the shower. ‘Thanks, love,’ she said gratefully. ‘Sorry I snapped.’

‘It’s OK.’ He hugged her. ‘We hardly got any sleep last night. It will get easier.’

Elaine nodded and, cupping the mug in her hands, sipped the coffee, thankful that Ian was understanding. It wasn’t like her to be so short-tempered.

Showered and dressed and partially rejuvenated by coffee, Elaine chose some clothes for Anastasia to wear and helped her into them while Ian got ready. She praised Anastasia at every opportunity, told her she loved her, then found the words for restaurant and breakfast in their phrase book and tried to explain they were going to the restaurant for breakfast. Anastasia looked at her blankly. Elaine had big concerns about going to the restaurant but as Ian said, they couldn’t stay holed up in their room all week, and Anastasia wasn’t interested in what room service had to offer. He said that if she wouldn’t sit at the table or caused any trouble, they’d come straight back to their room.

Ten minutes later they were ready and went down in the lift. There were two couples and three business people already in the restaurant and Ian and Elaine went to their usual table. Anastasia climbed onto a chair, but at her age she could barely see over the table. ‘That’s not going to work,’ Elaine said, immediately growing anxious. The waitress came over, said something they didn’t understand and returned with a child’s bolster seat. ‘Thank you so much,’ Elaine said. Of course a hotel restaurant would have a child seat. She should have realized that.

The waitress left them to study the menu, which at breakfast was the same every morning. ‘Something quick,’ Elaine said, glancing at Ian. At present Anastasia was sitting still, watching the other guests and what was going on around her, but how long that would last was anyone’s guess. When the waitress returned to take their orders Elaine asked for croissants, and Ian scrambled eggs on toast.

‘What for the child?’ Elaine asked, pointing to the menu and then at Anastasia. This waitress spoke some English but not as much as Maria had.

‘She have breakfast?’

‘Yes, please. What?’

The waitress understood and pointed to cornmeal porridge and orange juice on the menu.