‘Oh…I see. Well, Henry’s fine, Mum, you’re not to worry.’
‘Sofia, I don’t know why you’re so keen that I shouldn’t know the details of what’s going on. I might not be related to Henry, but he’s still a part of the family, same as me.’
‘Yes, I know but…Anyway. Look, are you sure everything is okay?’
‘It’s fine. We’re worried, of course, about all of you, but I’m perfectly happy here for the time being.’
‘Okay…but I was wondering whether you might be better off back at the home.’
Blanche rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not a home, dear. Haven’t you ever readThe Thursday Murder Club? Admittedly, Athelstone House is not as swish as Cooper’s Chase but it’s in a similar vein. It’smyhome, yes, but notahome.’
‘No, I know that, Mum, but you know what I meant. You get help with things.’
‘Only if I ask for them. Although Jordan isveryobliging.’
She slid Peg a look which Peg was relieved only she could see and she turned away to hide her smile. She was really beginning to like Blanche.
14
BOXING DAY
The call came at a quarter past five in the morning, but Peg was already awake. It was Boxing Day, how could she sleep? She had gone downstairs half an hour ago to make a cup of tea and had taken it back to bed with her, intending to read. But although she had drunk the tea, the book still lay unopened on top of the duvet beside her.
There were another nineteen hours or so left of Boxing Day to be got through, but Henry was still alive. He had come through the night and woken briefly. It was early days but the nurses were pleased with his progress. Peg closed her eyes and offered up a silent thank you to the universe. No one else would be dying today.
From the other end of the phone, Sofia’s voice was almost inaudible and Peg realised she had stopped listening, lost in her own thoughts. ‘Sofia, can you say that again? I can hardly hear you…’
‘Sorry, I know I’m whispering, but Adam has only just dropped off to sleep and I don’t want to wake him. Is everything all right? Is Mum okay?’
Peg smiled, thinking about the previous evening. ‘She’s fine…In fact, she and Mim would have stayed up half the night if I hadn’t sent them to bed. They could talk the hind leg off a donkey.’
‘Really? Oh…that doesn’t sound like Mum at all.’
Peg frowned. Admittedly, she didn’t know Blanche very well, but she certainly didn’t seem to be the shy, retiring type. ‘It’s nice for my aunt, too,’ she replied. ‘I think she’s rather enjoyed having two people fussing over her. Speaking of which, how are you holding up? Haveyoumanaged to sleep?’
There was a long pause, and Peg wondered whether they’d been cut off. She was about to ask the question again when Sofia replied, even quieter than before. ‘Not really, I…’ Peg waited for her to finish, but as the seconds ticked by, she realised she wasn’t going to.
‘It’s a very worrying time,’ said Peg. ‘You’re worried about Henry, but you’re also worried about Adam. So it wouldn’t hurtyouto get a bit of rest. The next few days are going to be long ones.’
‘All I could think of yesterday was that Christmas was never going to be the same again. I think there must be something wrong with me…’
‘I imagine it’s just the shock,’ said Peg, trying to be kind. ‘We none of us know how we’d react in situations like these, do we? When we become aware that forever after things might be different. Even without Christmas, that’s always a scary thought to process. I’m not going to tell you that everything will be okay, but Henry has done the hard bit. Why don’t you get some rest and then see how things are looking in a few more hours?’ She winced at what she was about to say. ‘And then you must come and have something to eat. A proper meal. You and Adam both need to look after yourselves and I expect making food is the last thing you feel like doing.’
‘I’m not sure Adam will want to, but…’ There was a pause as Sofia considered her offer. ‘Thank you, that’s very kind of you.’
‘No problem,’ said Peg lightly. ‘I’ll be here whenever you want to come over, just let me know how things go.’
After saying goodbye, Peg ended the call and held the phone against her chest for a moment. She must be mad inviting Sofia and Adam over, but she wasn’t sure what else she could do. A little kindness went a long way at times like these.
She turned her phone over again and stared at the screen. It was far too early to call Izzy and Phoebe, but she suddenly longed to hear their voices. Given what she knew about skiing holidays, the après-ski was almost as important as the time on the slopes, and she doubted they would be rising early. She knew they would call her at some point today, but it could be hours yet, and she didn’t want to ring them before they were ready. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil their fun. Sighing, she slid her phone onto the bedside table and lay back down, pulling the covers up around her ears. What she wouldn’t do for a few more hours’ sleep herself…
By seven o’clock, however, she decided it was useless to stay in bed hoping she would drop off. She’d had all night to do that and had hardly managed it; she might as well get out of bed and do something useful. A big breakfast might be just the thing – she hadn’t eaten much herself yesterday and the fridge was groaning with food.
To her surprise, Blanche was already up and dressed by the time Peg arrived in the kitchen, and was sitting at the table nursing a cup of tea.
‘I’ve made a pot, I hope you don’t mind?’
Peg sank into a chair opposite. ‘I don’t mind in the slightest. As long as there’s some left for me?’ She gave Blanche a sympathetic smile. ‘Couldn’t you sleep either?’ she asked.
