“Dibley Revisited”, Episode 4 --  I am My Sister’s Keeper

In the previous episode Geraldine learned that not only does her sister Kate [(2) right] have a 4.5 year old child named Dina, but that Kate has a rare blood disorder that will probably take her life.  Kate asks Geraldine if she will become Dina’s new mother.

Of course, Geraldine instantly tells Kate that she will lovingly care for and raise Dina as her own child.  But, Geraldine says that she must consult with Harry since this affects both of their lives.  And Geraldine is one half of a loving and committed couple that has thrived because they weigh their life’s decisions—big and small—together.  Kate understands completely.  After a little while, Harry returns with Dina.  And it is clear that Harry is completely besotted with his little niece.  Kate and Dina lay down for a nap on the couch—because Dina [(3) right] naps being a young child, and Kate naps because her strength fails her more and more these days.

So, Geraldine and Harry decide to take a walk in the village—hand in hand, not unlike their second date [(4) right].   Then, they decide to go to Harry’s Dibley cottage to talk more in private.  Harry still owns the cottage and rents it out to ‘tourists’.  But it is not being rented at the moment.  So, Geraldine and Harry can talk in private.  Geraldine reveals the conversation that she had with Kate, and Kate’s wish that she and Harry become Dina’s parents.  Geraldine pauses, waiting hopefully for Harry’s response—and he does not fail her.  Harry has never failed Geraldine, and he never will.  Harry completely agrees with Geraldine about becoming Dina’s parents, when and if that time comes.  But, he also suggests that maybe he and Geraldine can help Kate find more treatments to at least extend Kate’s life as much as possible for Dina’s sake—even if Kate can’t be cured. 

And, Geraldine resolves to be tested to see if her bone marrow is a match for Kate—even though Kate did not ask that of her.  So now, Geraldine and Harry have two missions—to help Kate with her health issues, and to become Dina’s parents if and when the time comes.  Geraldine and Harry cry at the circumstances that will bring this little girl into their lives—the death of her mother, Kate, Geraldine’s sister.  But Geraldine and Harry take solace and comfort in their love for each other.  When they return to their vicarage cottage that night, they go on to have a lovely family dinner with Kate and Dina before all of them fall asleep exhausted for the night.

***

Geraldine almost feels that God has played a cruel trick on her now that she is reunited with her sister, only to possibly end up losing her.  The conflict runs so deep within Geraldine that for the first time in her life, she has a crisis of faith.  After church services the next day, Geraldine talks with her best friend Alice [(5) right]—who is always helpful in cheering her up and is now also carrying Geraldine’s child.  But Geraldine can’t overcome her overwhelming sense of dread at the prospect of losing her sister Kate as she talks with Alice—while David takes Kate and Dina out to lunch.  So, Geraldine decides to ask the Dibley Village Council for a leave of absence for a few months.  Since coming to Dibley, Geraldine has never taken an extended vacation—let alone a honeymoon trip.  So, Geraldine hopes that her request will be granted. Geraldine also talks privately with David Horton Sunday evening—both because David is the Chair of the Village Council, and also because Geraldine knows that David has tender feelings for Kate.   

At the Monday, June 6th Dibley Village Monthly Council Meeting, Geraldine leads off the agenda with her announcement that effective immediately, she is taking a leave of absence for the Summer to tend to her family—primarily due to Kate’s health crisis—and to get to know her niece better.  The boys—David, Hugo, Owen, Frank, and Jim—take the announcement in stride.  It seems that the ‘boys’ discussed the vicar’s request before the meeting started.  The Village Council tells Geraldine to take all the time she needs and that they will line up supply priests to celebrate Sunday worship services for the next three months of Summer.  Summer is a ‘down time’ for parishes any way with many parishioners taking Summer trips themselves.

To be continued with Episode 5