‘Not your fault, dearie. What’s meant to be is meant to be. If it hadn’t happened this time, it would have been another. Now take my mind off this place and tell me about you. Is your lovely mother still here? And have you been back to The Pottery? I think both of those things are really important for you.’
Jules sat back in her chair and told her about mending Tasha’s broken jug and how guilty she felt regarding her annoyance that her mother had come over and how she’d now moved into the cottage.
‘If it had been my father, I could have coped better,’ she said. ‘After all these years I still miss him every day.’
‘The more you miss someone is a sign of how much you loved them,’ Rita said. ‘I still get a pain when I think about my George. Funny thing, it’s as if he was there when I fell, trying to save me. Perhaps doesn’t want me joining him just yet. Not ready for my nagging in eternity!’
Jules reached for her jacket on the back of the chair and stood up.
‘I ought to be going. I’ve stayed longer than I intended, and you’ll be getting tired.’
Rita reached out her hand.
‘It’s been like a breath of fresh air. Next time you come could you bring Tasha and Will? I’m going to be here for another three or four days according to the powers that be.’ Her eyes swivelled to the side. ‘Uh oh! And talking of powers that be, here comes one of them now. Better put on your crash helmet.’
Christabel strode down the ward, her heels clicking with military precision on the vinyl tiles.
‘You again!’ she said, totally ignoring Rita. ‘Considering you don’t even live on the island you get everywhere. I thought I told you this was a family matter.’
Jules opened her mouth to speak, but Rita got in first.
‘Where are your manners, Christabel? You should be thanking Jules for helping out in an emergency. I know I’m eternally grateful and before you say anything else derogatory, I asked Jules to visit.’
She turned her head slightly so that Christabel wouldn’t see the slight wink she made with her good eye.
‘And how did you do that?’
Rita picked up her phone and waved it in the air.
‘I’m not too stupid to send a message. Irene’s coming in later, too. And I’ve asked Jules to bring Tasha and William next time she visits.’
‘And what are you eating?’
‘Chocolate. Do you want some?’
Christabel shook her head and snapped her head towards Jules.
‘I’m sure you don’t want to spend any more time in a hospital ward. You must have enough of that in your everyday life. I can take over now.’
‘I was about to go anyway.’
Jules turned to Rita who blew her a kiss.
‘Bless you for coming,’ she said. ‘Done me the power of good.’
‘I’ll walk you out,’ Christabel said.
‘I think I can find my way.’
‘I’m sure you can, but I want a chat with the ward sister anyway.’ She turned to Rita. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
That’s what I’m afraid of, she mouthed at Jules.
As they walked out together, Christabel carried on past the reception desk until they reached the outer doors which led to the main staircase.
‘I’m sure Rita appreciates your visit,’ she said, as Jules pushed the exit button, ‘but as you’re the reason she’s in here the best thing you can do is go back to where you came from and sort your own life out.’
And with that she turned on her heel and walked away.
