Where the Memories Lie

 

 

‘Anna hadn’t visited Tom that often in the last few months, either. He didn’t know who she was most of the time, which was upsetting for her, plus when he got agitated and angry, he scared her. I was torn between wanting her to see him because I knew he wouldn’t be around much longer and not wanting her last memories of him to be bad ones. But now, of course, she’s angry at me, saying that I didn’t let her go and see him before he died.’

 

‘Charlotte’s acting the same. God, sometimes being a parent is the hardest job in the world.’

 

‘I know. I never know if I’m doing the right thing. And now it’s too late to worry about whether that was the right thing for them or not, I suppose.’

 

‘Yes.’ She sighed. ‘Can you tell Ethan when you see him that I’ve rearranged his meetings for the next few days so he doesn’t have to go anywhere? I’ve organised the York project to be overseen by Kevin until early next week so he won’t have to rush back up there.’

 

‘I will, thanks, Nadia. I don’t know what we’d do without you.’

 

‘I’m just glad to help. Anyway, it keeps me busy. I don’t want to think about it.’

 

‘You sound like Ethan. You have to let yourself grieve, though.

 

Repressing it will only manifest in other problems later on.’

 

186

 

Where the Memories Lie ‘Spoken like a true member of the healing profession,’ she said with an edge to her voice.

 

‘OK, I’m sorry.’

 

‘No, I’m sorry. I know you’re only trying to help. This is just so difficult.’

 

‘Have you spoken to Chris yet this morning?’

 

‘Yes, I just rang him to say I’ve organised another guy to stand in as project manager on the Weymouth supermarket he’s working on. He was in a bad way with a hangover.’

 

‘I’m not surprised, the amount he polished off last night. Still, we all grieve in different ways.’ I heard Anna’s bedroom door open and the sound of her light steps on the stairs. ‘I’ve got to go – Anna’s up. Speak soon, OK?’ I hung up as Anna walked into the room.

 

Instead of her graceful posture, her shoulders were rounded, her feet dragging on the floor.

 

‘Hi.’ She said glumly, sinking onto the stool next to me at the island.

 

Her eyes were puffy and red, her nose blocked, making her sound like she had a cold.

 

I slung my arm around her shoulder. ‘What would you like for breakfast? There’s Rice Krispies or toast. I need to go shopping.’

 

‘No change there, then.’ The corners of her lips lifted in a cheeky smile, and I thought maybe Anna really was more resilient than I gave her credit for. But how would she react to finding out there’d been a body under the garage all this time?

 

I banished the thought from my mind and stood up. ‘Do you want to walk Poppy with me? It’s a beautiful day; we could head through the woods to Abbotsbury if you like.’

 

‘Is Dad coming with us?’

 

‘No, he needs some time to clear his head.’

 

‘I don’t feel like going out anywhere. I’ll just watch TV.’

 

Normally, I’d have a moan about her being inside holed up in front of the flat screen all day in the summer holidays when 187

 

Sibel Hodge

 

it was such fabulous weather outside, but I was treating her with kid gloves.

 

‘Well, I’m not going to work today so you don’t have to go over to Nadia’s.’

 

Since Nadia worked from home doing the accounts and office admin, Anna had always spent the holidays at hers when I was at the surgery. It worked out great for both of us since it also kept Charlotte occupied.

 

‘I’m old enough to be left on my own now, anyway. I’m going to be thirteen soon.’

 

‘Mmm, so you keep reminding me.’ I swatted her backside.

 

She poured out some Rice Krispies, leaving a trail of them on the worktop which she stuck to her finger and popped in her mouth. With great concentration she poured out some milk over the top. They fizzed and crackled as she brought the bowl over to the table.