‘Let’s see how he is tomorrow, OK? If there’s cause for concern, I’ll organise some scans.’ She excused herself as her beep sounded and Shona came out into the corridor.
‘He’s dozing,’ she said. ‘I’m so worried about him, Claire.’ They held hands, each knowing they’d have to face more of this as his illness progressed. They looked back through the open door into his room. He looked so small under the bed covers, flat on his back with his arms down by his sides. His fingers and lips twitched as he played out fragmented dreams, making Claire long for a glimpse into his deteriorating mind.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason heard the car pull into the drive and went to meet Claire at the back the door. He knew she’d have phoned if things had been serious.
‘Dad’s doing OK,’ she said, dumping her handbag and keys on the table. She touched his arm to reassure him. ‘He had a fall and has a mild concussion. But because of everything, they’re keeping him in overnight.’
‘But Dad doesn’t fall,’ Jason said. When did he miss him getting old? ‘He’s really going to be OK?’
Claire stared at him for a moment, then smiled. ‘Yeah, he is.’
‘But he’s grumpy as hell about being kept in, which can only be a good sign,’ Shona said as she came inside. She looked wrung out.
‘Greta’s gone to rest,’ Jason told them. ‘The twins were trying to kick their way out.’ Shona leant against the Aga, which was on all seasons, while Maggie filled the kettle, putting it on the hotplate. ‘And Nick went for a walk a while ago.’
‘Why don’t you show Grandma your new dolls in the playroom?’ Claire suggested to Amy, who was listening to everything. She didn’t want her to worry about her granddad. Shona agreed and, armed with a mug of tea, she took the little girl’s hand and led her out.
‘What about tonight?’ Claire asked, pulling her hair back off her face. ‘Mum’s hardly going to feel like having us all up at the farm for supper now, is she?’
‘We’ll just get a takeaway. No need to make a fuss now all this has happened,’ Maggie said.
‘Agreed,’ Jason echoed, feeling sorry for his sister. ‘It’s not been the best start to the reunion, has it?’ There was a commotion at the back door as Russ scratched at the wood and barked, finally lumbering into the kitchen. The dog thumped his tail against the wall, not knowing who to greet first.
‘Russ, settle down,’ Callum called out, hanging up the lead. ‘How’s Patrick?’ He gave Claire a quick hug, listening to the update as she told him what had happened. But she trailed off as Nick also arrived back carrying several bags of shopping. Russ was wagging his tail even more furiously, sniffing at the contents.
‘Go on, outside,’ Claire said, pulling gently on the dog’s collar. Once banished, she took the bags from Nick, placing them on the worktop. ‘You bought groceries?’
‘What a star,’ Maggie said loudly, stepping between them to help unpack. ‘We were just discussing dinner.’
‘I hope I did the right thing,’ Nick said. ‘I was out for a walk and passed the village shop. They sell everything these days and there’s a new butcher’s on the corner by the pub. Besides, I didn’t think Shona would feel like mass catering.’
‘You did absolutely the right thing,’ Claire said. ‘Thank you.’ Jason couldn’t help noticing his sister’s light touch on Nick’s arm, couldn’t help noticing Callum watching.
* * *
Jason opened the door to the guest room quietly. ‘Hey,’ he said, seeing Greta was awake. Claire had decorated the Old Stables beautifully, with their room painted in muted blues and greys. The antique sleigh bed used to be in one of the farmhouse bedrooms, he recalled, and was made up with a vintage bedspread embroidered with exotic birds. He dipped his head as he went through the low-beamed doorway. ‘Did you manage to sleep?’ He’d left the others downstairs discussing Patrick, the logistics of getting the teenagers to Newquay later that evening, and what they would all do tomorrow.
‘A little bit.’ Greta smiled, hoisting herself up in bed. ‘They’ve been playing games in there.’ She spread her palms over her tummy. ‘But I feel fine.’ She reached her arms out to Jason, who didn’t need any encouragement to sprawl on the bed. He updated her on Patrick.
‘Poor man,’ Greta replied. ‘I really like him, you know.’ She hesitated, not wanting to seem disloyal. ‘But I can see why Shona wants to sell the farm.’
‘At least she doesn’t have to worry about selling this place since Dad gave it to Claire and Callum.’ Jason hadn’t meant to sound quite so bitter, even though he was.
Greta raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh, I see. Well, they’re very lucky. It’s a beautiful home.’ She stroked Jason’s head as he rested it on her shoulder, knowing what he was thinking. ‘But we’re better off in London, love. I can’t leave my job. We need it. Besides, there’d be no acting work for you here.’
Another blow. Not only did he not get any sort of property handout from his father, but as Greta knew full well, he struggled to get work.
‘The old cottage on the farm would have been a good second prize though, right?’ He hauled himself up. ‘As a holiday place, perhaps? Somewhere for us and the twins to enjoy?’ He would never hold a grudge against his sister for being given the Old Stables – it was her and Callum’s money and hard work that had renovated the virtually ruined property, after all. But he didn’t understand how or why his father would do something like that for Claire and not him. Especially after everything that had happened.
‘You’ve always said that Patrick believes in hard graft.’
‘I was ill, and he knew it. And as good as homeless at the time too. He turned his back on me.’ Jason flopped back down on the bed again.
‘That’s the past. It’s time to let it go.’ Greta pulled him close. ‘And we’re doing just fine, Jase. We’ll have our own family very soon, we have a decent flat, I’m earning enough to—’
‘Don’t you get it?’ Jason hated how bitter he sounded. ‘All that is down to you. What have I contributed?’ He didn’t want to take this out on Greta. She didn’t deserve it. He swung his legs off the bed, cupping his chin in his hands. ‘Look, I’m sorry.’ She stroked his shoulders, giving him one of those reassuring looks only her eyes could convey. ‘Nick’s going to cook for us all tonight up at the farm,’ he continued, straightening up. ‘Do you feel up to it?’
‘Just try and stop me,’ she replied, heaving herself off the bed and pressing a kiss on his mouth. She was a good woman. And he was a lucky man.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Claire boxed up the groceries that Nick had bought while he raided her store cupboards for the extra ingredients he’d need. The little glass jars of spices he picked out rattled as he carried the box out to her car. Even though it was only a couple of hundred yards away, it was easier to drive everything up to the farmhouse.
‘I think that’s everything,’ Nick said, as he put the food on the back seat. Claire leant in the opposite door, looking at him, each of them still for a moment. She was about to reply, but Callum yelled out asking if everyone was ready for him to lock up the house.
‘That colour really suits you,’ Nick said.
She closed her eyes briefly, half leaning across the back seat, touching the fabric of her new dress. ‘Thanks,’ she said softly. When she pulled out of the car, an arm clamped tightly around her waist.
‘Ace dress, darling.’ Callum gave her a tap on the bottom. ‘Is it new? And your car’s filthy,’ he said, pointing to the dirty tailgate as he walked off. Claire brought her hand up to her mouth, her eyes wide as she saw it.