‘Iwant to take you, Dad. I’d like to be there when they remove the cast, so we know how best to help you when Beth moves out.’
‘I don’t need any help.’ Walter knew he was being surly and ungrateful, but he couldn’t help how he felt. He didn’t want Beth to leave. But if she had to (and he knew that she did), he wasn’t going to be railroaded into moving into the farmhouse for a few days, or having anyone stay here. It was Beth, or no one.
And he was beginning to think that no one might be preferable to Beth, because since she had given him the news four days ago, they seemed to have reverted to their sniping, carping ways. It was as though the past month had been a dream. The way things were going at the moment, he might actually be glad to see the back of her.
So, maybe her moving out was better for everyone. But, despite trying to convince himself of that, he still didn’t want her to go.
Beth, on the other hand, appeared eager. She had arranged a van and a couple of blokes to move her stuff and had spent the last three days cleaning both Walter’s cottage and the house in the village. He hadn’t realised his place was so dirty.
It had given him a pang to see her cases packed, ready for the move tomorrow. The house would feel empty without her.
‘Dad, come on,’ Otto urged. ‘We’re going to be late.’
Walter pressed his lips together grabbed his crutches and followed Otto outside.
As they got in the car Otto said, ‘I hear Beth has been stocking your freezer for you.’
‘Hmph.’
‘That’s kind of her, isn’t it?’
‘Stop being so patronising.’
Otto looked shocked. ‘I’m not. I was simply making an observation.’
‘You were speaking to me like I’m five years old.’
‘I don’t know what’s got into you lately. Are you worried you won’t cope on your own?’
‘Grr.’ Walter gritted his teeth.
‘Dulcie and I will make sure you’re okay.’
‘I don’t need anyone checking up on me. I’ll be fine.’
‘You’re still going to need a bit of help. It’ll be a while before you will be able to put much weight on that leg. Then there’s the physio and the exercises you’ll have to do.’
Walter took a deep breath. He knew Otto’s comments were coming from a place of love. He knew Otto worried about him, and he knew he deserved all this fussing because his track record of taking care of himself in the past hadn’t been great.
But without the farm to run and the associated money issues, things were different now. Otto didn’t need to worry. Walter could take care of himself. And once the cast was off, he would soon be back to his pre-accident self. He would have his house all to himself again, and he wouldn’t have to consider anyone else. He could put the kitchen cupboards back the way they were (Beth kept changing them), there wouldn’t be any mysterious potions and lotions in the bathroom, and no having to watch Beth’s smalls blowing on the line next to his. His house would be nice and peaceful again.
But was that really what he wanted?
‘Bye, then.’ Beth wondered whether she should give Walter a hug. Maybe not: he didn’t come across as a hugger. She settled for a smile and a self-conscious wave instead.
‘Good luck in your new home.’
‘You’ll have to come visit when I’ve settled in.’
‘I will.’
Beth was fairly certain he wouldn’t. ‘Will I see you at Half Board?’ Her gaze flickered to his leg, now free of its cast.
‘Maybe.’
‘If it’s transport that you’re worried about, I can fetch you and bring you back.’
‘We’ll see.’
