‘As long as you’re happy. That’s the main thing.’ She nodded, her eyes flicking to her wedding photograph next to her. ‘It’s important to make sure you’re with the right person.’
Fin bit back the sarcastic comments that were begging to be spoken out loud. Was she really going to talk to him about happy relationships? He anxiously glanced down at his watch. He’d barely been here twenty minutes.
‘I have to go, Mum,’ he stated bluntly, trying his best to ignore the guilt he felt. ‘I have to meet a friend for dinner, so I should head back and get ready.’ The lie was embarrassingly blatant. ‘I’ll see you in a couple of days, OK?’
‘OK,’ she whispered, but Fin was already halfway out of the room.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to leave things on better terms with his mum; he just found that every time they ventured into talking about anything more serious than the weather, his long-buried anger would seep through the cracks in his defences and threaten to overwhelm him.
‘Ah, Fin, there you are.’ Nurse Clara was hovering by the front desk as he made his way into reception. ‘Do you want a cup of tea?’
‘No, I’m fine, thanks.’
‘Are you sure you can’t spare a couple of minutes to chat to an old nurse?’
He eyed her with suspicion. ‘I’ve seen that look before. You want something, don’t you?’
She nodded. ‘Am I that transparent?’
‘A little.’ He smiled.
‘Yes, well it seems what you did for Rudi has spread around the home. People talk in these places – there’s often not much else to do, you see. Anyway, there’s been another request.’
‘I see,’ Fin replied flatly.
‘For a photographer,’ Nurse Clara added for clarity.
‘OK.’
‘And … and I was wondering if you would make an allowance. I know you said you’d only do one, but you’re still here and it brought so much joy to Rudi and Rupert that I thought maybe … maybe you wouldn’t mind squeezing in another?’ She took a step towards him, her eyes so full of hope.
Fin ran his hand through his hair. ‘I don’t know. I would love to, really I would … it’s just …’ He hesitated, unable to meet the pleading look Nurse Clara was giving him. ‘I don’t want this to become athing, you know?’
‘I understand.’ She pushed her glasses up her nose. ‘I’ll let Heidi know that we’ll have to find someone else.’
Have you really become the type of guy who says no to doing favours for dying people?
Fin felt the battle inside himself rage. He wanted to help,he really did, but he didn’t want to create any more ties to this place than he already had.
It’s a photoshoot. Get over yourself.
‘Wait!’ Fin called, as Nurse Clara was halfway through the door. ‘If it’s just one more …’
She turned, her face beaming with delight. ‘Just one,’ she confirmed. ‘Shall we visit her now? Strike while the iron’s hot?’
‘Can I say anything other than yes?’ Fin sighed.
‘Of course. It just wouldn’t be wise, that’s all.’ Nurse Clara grinned, opening the door and beckoning him through.
Fin followed her to the door nearest the reception entrance.
‘You really do like getting your own way, don’t you?’ He laughed.
‘Naturally.’ She shrugged, pausing with her hand on the doorknob. ‘Now, some things you need to know about Heidi before we enter. She’s quite deaf and doesn’t always wear her hearing aid, so you may need to speak up.’
‘Noted. Speak loudly,’ Fin repeated studiously.
‘She doesn’t have much of a support system, so avoid mentioning husbands or partners or children.’
