Back on the Road with Irene & Brian | Episode 5: Party Time!

Episode 5: Party Time!

Mum and Dad had had their WAV for a few weeks and it’s not an exaggeration to say it had changed their lives. That, coupled with a wonderfully dry and sunny Spring, meant they were out and about regularly, and the family WhatsApp group was buzzing with their daily updates. We particularly looked forward to Dad’s cake reviews from the various cafes they were now able to visit. His criticism of “too crumbly” was as damning as Mary Berry’s soggy bottoms.

Despite being in her 80s, Mum had taken to driving the Brotherwood Caddy with ease. By day at least. But she hadn’t yet plucked up the courage to take it out at night.

However, a deadline was looming. I’m their eldest daughter and, whether I liked it or not, I was about to turn 50. Before Mum and Dad had the WAV, we’d have celebrated at their home, and Mum would have cooked. I wouldn’t have gone out to celebrate as Dad would have been excluded. But that was no longer an issue, so I decided on a party at my local village hall.

Mum decided she needed an after dark practise run and thought their local pub was the perfect destination, just around the corner from where they live. Dad used to go every Thursday evening, to meet up with his friends from the village for a pint or two and to put the world to rights. He hadn’t been for a year. They were both delighted when taking him there in the dark proved a straightforward experience.

“With the car’s automatic lights, there was nothing to really think about,” said Mum. “And it was easy to get the wheelchair in and out even in a dark, unlit car park.”

My party was a bigger test, however. Five miles of narrow twisting country lanes, with barely enough room for one car in some places, let alone two.

“You chose one of the most difficult venues to get to, in my opinion,” Mum told me afterwards.

Added to which, Mum had two passengers, including her brother who, as she says, “always says it like it is.” After purposely putting him in the back so he couldn’t play with the car’s infotainment system, they all set off. Mum’s brother commented on how smooth the ride was – and how well Mum handled the car in the dark on such windy lanes.

The only setback was Mum stepping in an inch of mud in her new high heel shoes when they arrived at the village hall.

Apart from that, their first after dark adventure couldn’t have gone more smoothly. And for me, having my dad there at my party meant the absolute world.

Next time, Brian sits the Brotherwood factory for a tour…

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