Chapter One. #2
Instinctively, I turned onto Clara’s road and headed for home.
My blood mother’s house had long ago been sold, and the money had been put into a trust fund, from which I received a small monthly allowance.
When she died, everything had come to me, but I’d learned the value of hard work from Clara.
She’d been a self-made businesswoman herself.
If not for Clara, who knows what kind of spoiled brat I might have become.
Being an RN wouldn’t make me rich, but God, it was satisfying.
Over the last eight years, I’d lost count of how many people I’d helped.
From tiny new babies to those at the end of their lives, I’d met them all.
The skills I’d learned saved lives, and that meant something.
I wasn’t a useless drain on society; instead, I was productive and useful.
I turned onto Clara’s drive and headed for the garage. Around here, properties had trees as their boundary lines, which gave everyone living here a lot of privacy. I parked up, climbed out and frowned as someone opened the front door.
“Hello! You must be April! I’m Rose,” she called out in a friendly manner.
“Hi, that’s me. Who are you?” I asked as I approached.
“Clara hired me to help with her care and housework,” Rose replied.
I barely bit back a rude sigh. Clara knew I was coming home. “How is she?” I inquired instead of saying what I’d been thinking.
“In more pain than she lets on. From what I have gathered, Clara was an extremely spry sixty-nine-year-old. This inactivity is upsetting her.”
“Well, I’m not surprised. Clara loves riding and walking in the hills. Guess I’ll have to take her horses out for exercise unless you’ve been riding them?”
Rose shook her head, looking frightened. “Sorry, I’m not a horse person.”
“Good job I am.” I chuckled as I entered the house.
The smell of roses and lavender hit me immediately, making me smile.
They were Clara’s signature scents and told me I was home.
With a nod at Rose, I headed towards the sunny, well-lit lounge that Clara favoured.
It was her casual one, not the formal one, and floor-to-ceiling windows fronted one side.
Clara looked up from where she was sitting in one of the huge, overstuffed armchairs.
“Darling, I told you not to come!” she exclaimed.
“As if I’d listen to you,” I replied tartly, and Clara chuckled.
“Give me a kiss!” she demanded, holding her arms out. Relieved to see her looking so perky, I hurried over and embraced her. Clara smelled of expensive perfume, with a hint of strawberries on her skin. That made me smile; Clara loved scented shower gels.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, stepping back and studying her closely.
The lines around her eyes seemed more pronounced, and her lips were pursed in pain despite a smile.
Her hair was pink and cut short in a bob.
Clara had turned completely white in her forties and dyed her hair whatever colour took her fancy.
“As well as anyone with a broken leg and hip.”
“The details I got were vague. Can you explain what happened?”
“Oh, darling,” she sighed, shaking her head as if she didn’t want to go into the details, “I fell down the dratted stairs. It’s quite simple.”
“But the hospital said you weren’t found for two days,” I replied, biting my lip. They’d contacted me five days ago, immediately after Clara was admitted.
Clara’s eyes moved sideways, and I sensed she was going to downplay this.
“Don’t!” I warned.
A familiar scowl descended, but I wasn’t a teenager anymore. Clara couldn’t chide me like one, nor could she sidestep my worry.
“A few days passed before I was discovered. I’d knocked myself out for a bit and was dazed and confused,” Clara finally admitted. It hurt her to admit vulnerability.
“Well, I’m home for a while. Then, when you’re better, we’ll discuss what to do,” I said as I sat down opposite her.
“Do you have a job lined up?” Clara asked, looking guilty.
“The local hospital, I’ve had to take an RN position for now. I’d a couple of interviews in Vermont, but you needed me more,” I stated.
Clara frowned again, and I shook my head.
“You’re my mother. Where else would I be when you’re injured? Maybe we should start considering other alternatives when you’re better,” I said, and Clara jerked in surprise.
Before she could ask questions, there was a scuffle at the door, and Rose appeared carrying a tray. There was medication on it, which made me narrow my eyes.
“Ah, tea! Thank you, Rose,” Clara said with a smile, and Rose nodded before bustling away.
“Don’t sidestep me or whitewash what’s happening. Tell me straight,” I demanded, sensing she was hiding something.
“April, it’s nothing serious, just a few dizzy spells. The doctors told me my blood pressure is very low, and that’s why I fell down the stairs. They think I got lightheaded and fainted.”
“Clara, you discharged yourself after only breaking your hip a week ago. You should still be in the hospital relaxing and healing.”
Clara scowled. “Darling, whatever would I be doing in a hospital that I can’t do in the comfort of my own home?
Let’s face it, they’d sit me in a rather hard, uncomfortable chair, whereas this one’s nice and comfy and made for my old bones.
” Clara patted her armchair. “The doctors would get me up and walking, and I can do that here. Rose manages my pain relief, so there’s no reason I should be in hospital.
Come now, April, let’s not quarrel. I’m doing much better here. ”
As deeply as I wished to argue, I couldn’t. Plus, Clara’s diet would be much better here, and she’d eat healthier. A sigh escaped and my shoulders dropped.
Clara looked triumphant.
“Do you have a nurse at least?”
“Yes. Of course, and a physiotherapist. Darling, I’m not silly, just old,” Clara chided, and I scowled as she laughed.
“You’re not funny. Anyway, I’m moving home until you’re better, and then we can discuss options,” I replied.
Clara began to speak before pausing, and I guessed what she’d been about to say.
“He doesn’t know I’m back, and I don’t see why we should even meet.
Stone has his family, and they’re not close to us.
Clara, I don’t plan on socialising much.
I’ve scored an interview for a part-time nursing role at the local hospital.
I’ll be covering as a float pool nurse, going where they need me. ”
“Will you be okay with that?” Clara asked as she sipped her tea.
“Yes. The hours are dream shifts. From six in the morning till one. I’ll be home for lunch and dinner and be able to spend quality time with you,” I replied.
Clara smiled. “That’s something to look forward to, darling.” Clara hid a yawn, and I got to my feet.
“Nap time?” I teased, and Clara laughed.
“Yes. Ever since the fall, I’ve slept a lot more. The doctors put me on a new medication, which seems to make me sleepier than usual.”
“I’ll get Rose, and we’ll get you to your bedroom,” I said.
“No. This chair reclines and is perfectly comfortable. I’ll snuggle here. Would you mind fetching me a blanket from the box?” Clara asked, pointing.
I did as commanded and tucked Clara in before dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m glad you’re home, darling,” she murmured, closing her eyes.
A smile crossed my lips before I headed back to my car to begin unpacking my belongings.
There were around eight boxes, some suitcases, and a couple of duffel bags.
For some reason, I’d never settled into the apartment and hadn’t created a home.
The fact that my life fit into my car was tragic and screamed loneliness.
“Would you like a hand?” Rose called, and I shook my head.
“I’m fine, thanks, Rose,” I replied, waving her off.
While Clara was rich, she’d never been one for airs and graces.
She was down-to-earth and liked simplicity.
That made me laugh because she was the queen bee of high society.
She handled local politics as if she were playing chess.
A move here, a move there, and checkmate, Clara had you where she wanted.
The handling of rich bitches was something I’d never had the patience to learn.
I carried my items up to my old bedroom, which was huge.
As I entered, the smell of jasmine and honeysuckle filtered out.
Those were my favourite scents, and I guessed Clara had asked Rose to pick up some potpourri for me.
Seeing my old bedroom brought back a lot of memories.
Luckily, the teenage memorabilia had been stored away, and the room was suitable for an adult, decorated in yellow and white. I’d never been one for pink.
The old double was gone, and a king-size bed sat in its place. Apart from that, everything else was the same, and it felt happy, comfortable, like a warm hug. I’d missed this and hadn’t even known.
Now, if Stone stayed away, I might be able to survive this.