Chapter 7 #2
He was quiet for a moment. ‘And that’s a problem, because?’ he asked.
‘I didn’t say it was a problem,’ I frowned.
‘Not directly, but your tone did.’
‘Oh,’ I swallowed.
‘Go on.’
‘It’s not really a problem. I’m just not used to having nothing to do, and with so many hours to fill I’m starting to find myself either stuck in the past or beginning to fret about the future.’
There, that was a truly honest statement.
‘Oh dear,’ Grandad George sighed. ‘I know it’s early days, but that’s not what Rafe had in mind for you at all, my dear. He was hoping this time would help you rest. He didn’t want you to be brooding and looking backwards or worrying about what would come next.’
‘I know,’ I sighed, ‘and that’s why I haven’t told him. As far as he’s concerned, I am resting. You won’t say anything, will you?’
‘I’d hate to think that we’re keeping him in the dark—’
‘But like you’ve just said,’ I interrupted, ‘it’s early days. By this time next week, I might feel completely differently.’
Grandad George handed me the biscuits, and I helped myself to another one.
‘But then again,’ he said, ‘you might not and I think I know what you need.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Something to anchor you in the present,’ he said eagerly. ‘Something that will take up some of the many empty hours you’re struggling to currently fill with… well, nothing.’
‘I’m not sure how Rafe would react if I told him I was looking for work just a week after I’ve moved in with him.’
‘Who said anything about work?’ Grandad George shrugged. ‘Why not take up a hobby or try your hand at something different for a while. Try your hand at a few different things until you hit on something you feel passionate about. Anything to stop you brooding.’
‘I suppose I could…’
‘And you might find that the distraction, or distractions, unscramble your thoughts about the future. You could even discover an entirely different career to pursue as a result.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ I said, before he got further carried away.
‘I loved my job at Highfell. Yes, it had its stressful moments, but at the end of the day, when the niggles were all resolved, turning client’s celebration dreams into reality was amazing.
I really loved it and I’ll definitely want to do it again even though that will most likely mean I’ll have to… ’
‘Even though that will most likely mean you’ll have to what?’ Grandad George frowned when my words trailed off.
In the unguarded moment, I had been about to say that, depending on what jobs became available in the future, it would most likely mean moving again, but thankfully I’d stopped the words spilling out.
I might have been honest with Grandad George about a lot, but I wasn’t going to share that.
I wasn’t going to tell anyone that my time in the square might potentially have an expiration date.
‘Find an inventive way of explaining the gap in my employment history on my CV when it comes to finding a new job,’ I said, thinking on my feet.
‘I’m sure you’ll come up with something,’ Grandad George smiled. ‘Given that your heart is set on this career that you love.’
‘I’m sure I will, too.’
I’d got away with it, but only just.
‘And talking of love,’ Grandad George went on, completely changing tack. ‘Have you or Rafe spotted any eligible men in Nightingale Square?’
‘Grandad!’ I gasped. ‘We’ve only been here a week.’
‘Your father can be a fast worker when someone takes his fancy.’
‘Honestly,’ I tutted, though I knew he was right. ‘Well, I can’t speak for Rafe, but no, I haven’t seen any eligible men in Nightingale Square.’
He didn’t need to know about attractive ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ across the road. Even if Erik was available he either made me angry or feel a fool and neither emotion was a base to build any kind of relationship on.
‘Well, keep your eyes peeled.’ Grandad George winked. ‘A bit of a fling could be the ultimate distraction.’
I rolled my eyes at that and went to stand up.
‘You know very well that I don’t go in for flings,’ I told him as I brushed biscuit crumbs into my hand and dropped them in the wastepaper bin. ‘Mum’s track record has put me off casual relationships for life. I’d rather go without.’
‘Fair enough,’ he said, because he knew what the situation with Mum was like and the impact her love life had had on me. ‘Are you going?’
‘Yes,’ I said, with a nod to the window. ‘It seems to have stopped raining again, so I’ll dash back now. It was a much quicker journey on foot, but I’ve got my brolly, just in case.’
‘Good idea. Though you’re very welcome to stay, of course.’
‘I know I am,’ I said, and leant down to kiss his cheek, ‘and thank you, but I’d better get back. Rafe forgets to eat and drink when he’s writing unless he’s summoned, and it’s time he had a break.’
‘All right,’ Grandad George said, and squeezed my hand. ‘And if you don’t come back soon, that will be no bad thing because it will mean you’ve found something to fill your time, but don’t leave it too long, will you?’
‘I won’t,’ I promised. ‘And I know Rafe will be here tomorrow.’
I left him with his newspaper and made my way back through the warren of corridors to the reception area. All sounded calm and quiet in the day room, so the quiz must have gone smoothly. Either that or Beth had given everyone a silent time out!
‘Skylar!’ said the woman herself, just as I reached for the security pad to open the door. ‘Have you got a sec?’
‘Of course. Is everything all right?’
‘Absolutely fine. I just wanted to say thank you for talking to Mabel earlier.’
‘I enjoyed it. She’s lovely.’
‘She is, but she’s been like a fish out of water since she arrived,’ Beth said worriedly. ‘Did she happen to mention anything about what’s bothering her? She insists she’s fine whenever I ask her, but she’s clearly not.’
Given that she had asked me so directly, I decided to share what Mabel had told me in the hope that Beth could make some adjustments to accommodate her going forward.
‘We hate to think of residents staying in their rooms, but it sounds like Mabel would appreciate the peace,’ Beth sighed, once I’d filled her in. ‘Most residents who have lived alone before they arrive tend to embrace the company and what we offer, but it’s not a fit for everyone…’
‘Mabel isn’t there just yet,’ I confirmed. ‘But what you offer here is amazing.’ Rafe had given me a rundown of the weekly schedule, and it was packed and full of variety. ‘And I’m sure she’ll want to take part eventually, but for now she just wants peace and the odd quiet chat.’
‘Okay,’ Beth said. ‘There is one thing we haven’t got set up here that might be useful.’
‘What’s that?’
I couldn’t imagine there was anything missing at Cavell Care.
‘I’ll come back to you when I’ve given it further thought,’ Beth said and then added with a nod towards the sky. ‘You better head off. It looks like it’s going to chuck it down again any minute and I don’t like to leave the reprobates to their own devices for too long!’
Just as she said that Freddie struck up on the piano.
‘And I can hear why,’ I laughed. ‘I’ll see you again soon.’