Chapter Forty-Three
After speaking to her dad and reassuring him that her mum was okay, Jessica had a quick debrief with Murray.
‘We could be here for a while but hopefully she won’t be kept in overnight.
I don’t think that would land well with her.
She’s champing at the bit to get home. The best thing you can do is keep Dad calm as he’s been freaking out, and I’ll find out from Mum if anything urgent needs doing at home.
I’m sure between us we can manage to pick up the turkey from the butcher’s and rustle up Christmas lunch. How hard can it be?’
Murray tutted. ‘Don’t let Mum hear you say that. But honestly, she is always running about after everyone else. It’s time she just did as she was told and looked after herself. I agree. We can take care of Christmas.’
‘Exactly,’ said Jessica. ‘And I haven’t yet told her but Reuben is going to be joining us after all. I’m sure he and Carolyn will muck in.’
‘That’s great. So, he’s not going away after all then . . . Mind you, I didn’t think he would.’ He paused. ‘It sounds like there are more interesting things to keep him in Rowan Bay.’
He was trying to wind her up but she refused to take the bait. ‘He’s keen to see his dad on Christmas Day and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind seeing you either. Though I don’t know why,’ she said, jokingly. ‘Your chat stinks.’
‘He’s actually just off the phone and is heading out here now. Keep in touch, sis, and let me know if you need us to come and get you. I know you’ve been up since the crack of dawn and may not want to drive back.’
‘Thank you. And maybe Lexi and Carolyn could be a good distraction for Dad in the meantime? Get them to take him down to the loch and skim stones or something? Tell them that I always beat you at it.’
He chuckled. ‘I’m not sure she needs to know that at this stage in her life. There is still room for me to beat you. Anyway, you’re right, Lexi will put a smile on his face for sure. Phone me later and take care.’
‘Oh, I almost forgot. If things get bad with Dad and he needs a distraction then ask him about his Santa suit. I’m sure he’d love to put it to good use.’
Murray groaned. ‘I’ll leave it until we’re desperate. I don’t even want to start to imagine what Dad would look like in a Santa suit. Doesn’t bear thinking about.’
After ending the call, she walked back to the small cubicle where her mum was waiting. ‘Everyone is up to speed now and you’ve to do as you’re told and just get better. You’ve to be a good patient.’
‘But Christmas dinner . . .’
Jessica did feel sorry for her mum. She was always so capable and healthy and hated even catching a cold.
She always loved being the host and it wasn’t often she had her family around her.
And now she was stuck in this cubicle in pain, just two days before Christmas.
‘Look, Mum, please don’t worry. It will all be fine.
Murray and I will make sure it’s all sorted and you can tell us what to do.
Think of us as your task force and you’re the team leader who is delegating from the sofa.
And we will all be there to keep Dad calm.
’ She paused and reached for her mum’s hand.
‘You know he only gets in a flap because he’s worried about you. ’
She nodded, clearly upset at the whole situation. ‘I know, dear. He means well. But when he flaps it makes me more anxious and then I get stroppy.’ Her eyes pricked with tears.
Jessica tilted her head at her mum. ‘Dad knows you don’t mean it though.’
She shook her head. ‘We’re not as young as we once were. We keep needing to remind ourselves of that. What on earth was I thinking wearing socks to go downstairs.’
‘You’re hardly decrepit, Mum. You just slipped.
It could have been me or Dad or anyone. That’s what slippers are for,’ she said, mimicking what her mum always used to say to her when she was spotted in just stockinged feet.
‘Look, hopefully they will get a cast on you soon and then we can get you home. Then you can sit with your feet up and relax.’
‘I’m not sure I know how to do that any more,’ admitted her mum.
‘Well maybe this is a gift and a reminder to slow down,’ suggested Jessica. ‘Just sit on the sofa with Lexi and make the most of the time you have with her.’ She reached over and carefully gave her mum a hug. ‘You’re always running around helping everyone else. Now let us help you.’
‘Thanks, dear,’ she said with a sniff.
Jessica passed her a tissue. ‘Would it make you feel better to know that we also have an extra guest for Christmas dinner?’
She was immediately intrigued. ‘Oh, who is that then?’
‘Reuben’s going to join us after all.’
She tried to clap her hands together in delight but couldn’t. ‘Ouch. That’s great news, dear. That has cheered me up no end. Oh, I am glad he’s decided to come and won’t be on his own in some random holiday resort.’ She lowered her voice. ‘And I’m so glad he’s decided to divorce that woman.’
‘You knew?’ said Jessica in surprise.
She nodded. ‘Yes, he told me the other night when he came over. Before Murray arrived.’ She tapped her nose.
‘But I don’t like to gossip. I knew he would tell you when he was ready.
Anyway, for what it’s worth, I think he’s made the right decision.
I never really liked her. Can you pass the water please, dear?
’ She took a sip from the small cup of water that Jessica gave her.
‘And let him know he’s very welcome to stay with us.
It’s the least we can do given that the Stewart family has taken over his house. ’
Jessica nodded. ‘I will do.’ She watched her mum’s mind go into full organisational mode.
‘You need to make sure the sofa bed in the love room is ready for him. And that he has clean towels . . .’ Her mum stopped talking suddenly and stared at her expectantly. ‘Unless there’s anything else you need to add? Is there anything that I should know?’
‘Nothing at all, Mum. Nope, not at the moment. And I promise, I will make sure the love room is ready to go. Though let’s call it the reading room or the spare room. That sounds a bit more appropriate.’
Her Mum gave her a knowing look. ‘I think love room is much more apt, don’t you think?’
Jessica shook her head in exasperation and managed to stifle a grin.