Chapter 20
JUDITH
I start to feel better as the day progresses, and Alison helps me negotiate the back steps again so that I can go outside to get a bit of fresh air.
I sit on the wicker sofa that Alison and Nick moved from the conservatory and my mind drifts back to when Lizzie was young and we used to have a picnic on the lawn. Such precious times.
My phone buzzes. Lizzie is FaceTiming. ‘How are you, Mum?’ she asks when I accept the call.
‘I’m a lot better. Alison is really looking after me, so there’s no need to worry about me,’ I tell her. ‘How are you?’ She looks a little tired, I think, although it’s hard to tell on my small phone screen. ‘Thank you for the photos of the kids’ cards. I love them.’
‘They’re cute, aren’t they? They spent ages making them. I’ll bring them with me tomorrow. I’ll drop by after the morning school run and we can have a cuppa and a catchup.’
‘I look forward to that.’
We chat for a bit longer, then Alison comes out with a glass of water and my tablets. She waves to Lizzie. ‘Hi there.’
‘Hi, Alison. Just checking in on Mum.’
‘She’s doing fine.’ Alison turns to me. ‘Sorry to cut you short, Mum, but it’s time for your tablets and I think you should have another rest. I don’t want you to exert yourself.’
‘I am a little tired,’ I admit. So I say goodbye to Lizzie then I take my tablets, and Alison helps me into the back room and onto the bed. My eyes close as soon as my head touches the pillow.
I wake to enticing smells coming from the kitchen.
Alison must be preparing dinner. I ease myself up and reach for my phone.
I’m disappointed when I notice a missed call from George.
It would have cheered me up to speak to him, but I must have been out for the count.
I immediately call him back but his phone rings out.
Then I notice the time, gone six – goodness, I’ve slept for hours!
George is probably on the way home, he never answers his phone when he’s driving.
I slip my phone into my pocket and reach for my walker.
Leaning on it I propel myself forward. I hate using it, it makes me feel like an old lady and is a bit awkward to manoeuvre, but at least I’m mobile.
‘Can I help?’ I ask as I shuffle into the kitchen.
‘It’s all under control, thanks,’ Alison says cheerfully. She looks over her shoulder at me. ‘How are you feeling now?’
‘The nausea has gone. I think I’m through the worst.’
‘That’s good. Why don’t you sit yourself down and I’ll make us both a drink. Dad will be home soon.’ She shakes the kettle to check how much water is in it then flicks it on. ‘Tea okay?’
‘Please. I noticed I missed a call from George. I can’t believe I slept through my phone ringing.’
Alison pulls out a chair and helps me into it. ‘That’s because I turned your volume down. I hope you don’t mind but you looked so tired, I wanted you to have some undisturbed rest.’
I’m a bit taken aback that she’s meddled with my phone. She’s a nurse, she’s used to making decisions to look after people, I remind myself. ‘Not a problem. I’ll turn it back up now.’
Alison makes the tea as I take out my phone and turn the volume back up, then she sits down beside me.
‘That smells delicious.’ I sniff at the aroma that is filling the kitchen. There’s no sign of any saucepans on the stove, so whatever she’s making is in the oven. ‘What are you cooking?’
‘Something very simple, a sausage casserole with roasted vegetables. It’s Dad’s favourite.’
I hadn’t realised that. But then, there’s a lot about George that I still don’t know. It was such a whirlwind romance.
‘I hope you like it too?’ she asks, suddenly looking worried.
‘I’m sure I will. And thank you, I appreciate you cooking dinner for us.’
We sit and chat as we drink our tea then George comes in. ‘Oh good, you’re up and about.’ He strides over, gives me a big hug and a wrapped gift. ‘I couldn’t resist getting you this. I hope it cheers you up a bit.’
I open it eagerly, it’s a black velvet jewellery box. I gasp when I open it up and see the gold locket inside. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I say.
‘Open the locket,’ he tells me with a smile.
So I do and tears well in my eyes when I see that it holds a photo of me and George on our wedding day. My hand flies to my mouth. ‘Oh George. What a wonderful present.’
He leans over and kisses me. ‘A wonderful present for a wonderful lady.’
I put my hand on his cheek and stroke it tenderly. ‘And you’re a wonderful husband.’
‘Has Sam sent the wedding photos over then?’ Alison asks, admiring the locket.
‘Only this one, because I asked him for one. He said the others will be ready in a couple of days.’
We all sit around the table eating our meal and chatting away. It feels so natural, as if the three of us have known each other for ages instead of only fairly recently. Then Alison goes upstairs to chat to a friend on FaceTime and me and George go into the lounge and watch TV.
George wraps his arm around my shoulder and I lean against him, loving the closeness of it. It’s so good to feel stronger now. Tomorrow I’ll see if I can make the stairs, I decide. I want to be able to snuggle up to George in bed, not sleep down here alone.
‘Shall we have some warm milk and honey then we’ll hit the sack,’ George says, yawning.
‘That sounds perfect.’
George returns a few minutes later with a couple of mugs on a tray and two slices of jam sponge. ‘Alison made this earlier and insists we have a slice for supper.’
‘That’s kind of her.’ I take the plate off him and dip my fork into the cake. It’s soft, and melts into my mouth. ‘This is luscious.’
‘She’s always been a good cook.’
Alison pops her head around the door just as we’ve finished our supper. ‘I’m off to bed now, do you want me to help you settle down, Mum?’
‘No thanks, love. George will help me. And thank you for the cake. We really enjoyed it.’
‘Good, I’ll see you in the morning then. But if you need me, give me a ring. Night.’
‘Night, love. I think it’s time we turned in too.’ George stands up and holds his arm out to help me up. I cling on to it, but as soon as I pull myself up I feel dizzy. The next thing I know I’m in bed with George sitting beside me, his face etched with worry,
‘What happened?’ I ask.
He shakes his head. ‘One minute you were fine the next you keeled over. Luckily I caught you or you might have fractured your arm as well as your ankle.’
‘I don’t understand why I keep feeling dizzy,’ I say. ‘It was just like when I fell down the stairs and fractured my ankle.’
‘Alison is worried too. She’s keeping an eye on your blood pressure and it is a little high but nothing to worry about.’
But I am worried. I’ve only fractured my ankle, which yes is painful, but I shouldn’t be feeling so weak and dizzy. Something isn’t right.