Emerald Oasis 7F/18

"Oh doesn't he go on?" Mimi moaned. "He's so rude and full of himself."

"And snooty," Emily said in agreement. She dashed over to the lamps and with the click of her fingers, the lampshades returned to their original positions. Joyce and Hisashi worked together with the fairies to tidy up the lounge. By the time they had finished, it was getting close to tea time. Rodger came into the room just as Hisashi limped out.

"I've got it all figured out," Rodger said, marching to the round table by the window and sitting on the green chair. "We'll have our tea in here tonight. Dorothy and Victoria are on their way."

"What have you figured out?"

"We can get out of here tonight!" Rodger exclaimed. "I'll tell you all about it when the other two get in.

Joyce knew that she was doing something wrong, but it felt so right at the same time. She didn't know what was about to happen that night, but she was looking forward to it.

*

Victoria was walking. She lifted her head and sneered at the funny shaped ornament and beige walls. She ran her finger through the tales and a cloak of dust coated her nails.

"Ghastly place." She flicked the dust on the floor. "It's so dusty and hideous."

"You told us you couldn't walk!" Rodger raised his voice. "Now you're out and about dusting."

"You better sit down," Dorothy suggested. "You might fall and the carers will tell you off."

"Why do we have to eat here?" Victoria grumbled. "What's wrong with the dining room?"

"I already told you," Rodger said, "the staff will overhear us. Do you want to see your husband's grave or not?"

"Of course I do."

"Then sit down for God's sake."

"It's the fairies!"

"Don't be silly," Victoria said to Joyce with sharpened eyes, in between the other two ladies. "There's no such thing as fairies."

"But we did see one," Dorothy reminded them.

Rodger raised his hand. "Ah, but that was an illusion caused by the medication. We've only seen her once."

"I see them all the time," Joyce said. "I was there at one of their debates. They've got an election coming up to see who's going to be the fairy emperor for the next fifty years."

"What are you talking about?"

"The general election is coming up soon," Rodger said. "The prime minister just announced it."

"A lot of fairies are mad," Joyce explained. "Because of the Fairy Empress, Fee Ickersurfs banned the tooth industry, so a lot of fairies are now unemployed."

"I still don't know what you're talking about."

"She's confused," Rodger told Victoria. "BHS has closed down and thousands have lost both their jobs and their pensions. I think she's referring to that."

"Really?" Dorothy shrieked. "I worked there for years. My sister worked there too, and my daughter and nieces."

"It's a shame." Rodger leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I wanted to go there for my breakfast tomorrow."

Joyce inhaled through her nose and squinted at him, resting her head in her hand. "How long do you plan on going out for?"

Rodger cracked out laughing as he rubbed his hands together. "As long as I can!"

"All the doors are locked at night," Dorothy reminded them. "How are we getting out?"

He covered his mouth. "Easy: I know all the codes." He unfolded a piece of paper from his pocket.

Joyce took a good look. "There's a lot of numbers here."

Codes

Main door: 1961 (in) 1997 (out)

Red Unit: 1961 (in) 1997 (out)

Blue Unit: 1961 (in) 1997 (out)

All Offices: 1961 (in) 1997 (out)

Safe: 3456

Storage rooms: 1234 (in) 5678 (out)

The Sluices: 1234 (in) 5678 (out)

Staff Room: 1234 (in) 5678 (out)

Stairs: 1234 (in) 5678 (out)

Rodger put the codes back in his pocket. "Better put it away," he whispered, "don't want them to see it."

"I don't think I'll be able to remember all those codes," Joyce confessed.

"Don't worry!" Rodger slammed the stable to stop Dorothy from snoozing. "Just think of Princess Diana if you can't remember. If not, just count."

"What's Princess Diana got to do with this?" Dorothy asked staring at Rodger's coat pocket.

"And Dorothy and I never got to have a look," Victoria said, crossing her legs. "Are we not important?"

"Did I say that?"

"I've got to speak to the fairies," Joyce insisted, "they'll help us."

"I swear," Rodger mumbled, "if you say fairies one more time, you're not coming."

Victoria rose to her feet. "If you do that Rodger Bentley, you'll never get any kisses from me again!"

He laughed. "You haven't kissed me in sixty-four years."

"You might get one."

One of the carers yawned as she carried the food trolley into them. Her tired eyes quickly became alerted by Victoria's wobbly legs. "Oh," she cried out. "Sit down Vicky."

"MY NAME'S NOT VICKY – IT'S VICTORIA!"

"You're going to fall Victoria."

"Dinner's early tonight," Rodger shouted, peering over at the trays. Once Victoria sat down, the carer started serving the food. The green leaves sprinkled with tomato and cucumber slices brought more colour to the table. The salad bowl stunk of vinegar. Rodger moved the bowl towards Victoria.

The assortment of sandwiches are placed on the table. Joyce got her Marmite sandwiches whilst her friends had the more sophisticated cucumber and fish sandwiches. Rodger got his beloved BLT.

"Thank you very much," Rodger said, grabbing of the sandwiches as soon as the plate hits the table.