‘Thank you,’ I tell him. I don’t know what I’d do without Nick, he’s so calm which is a good thing as I’m anxious enough for both of us.
Sometimes his laidback attitude drives me nuts and I know he gets irritated when I’m overanxious. But everyone’s different, aren’t they? And we both adore each other and have each other’s back which is the most important thing. We trust each other completely.
I do a quick Internet search on fractured ankles, it can take six to twelve weeks to heal, might need a cast and Mum will need lots of rest. She won’t be able to go to work at the bakery, so she will be home alone when George goes to work. He has an assistant at the butcher’s shop but he’ll fret if he isn’t there himself, overseeing things. I’ll have to visit her every day and do any chores she needs.
I’m worried all morning, but the kids keep me busy. Finally it’s three o’clock and I grab my bag. ‘I’ll go and check on Mum now then. I won’t be long,’ I tell Nick.
‘Be as long as you need, the kids are happy playing in the garden and I’ve got some weeding to do,’ he tells me.
I decide to walk to Mum’s, she only lives a couple of streets away and it’s a warm day, the fresh air will help me get myself together. I don’t want to turn up all anxious because then Mum will worry about me.
I’m so deep in thought that I hardly notice the short journey, I know it so well that I’m sure I could walk it in my sleep, and realise with a jolt that I’m there. I stand in front of my family home for a few minutes, my mind going back to the day we moved in.
Dad was so proud and Mum so happy. Our former house was a decent sized semi in a nice enough area but Dad had always wanted to live in this part of Worcester and had been over the moon when his company did so well he could afford to buy this four-bedroomed detached house, in the corner of a leafy cul-de-sac, with its big rooms, conservatory and large garden. We all felt at home there immediately.
Truth be told, I didn’t want to leave. The house held so many memories, and by leaving it I felt like I was leaving Dad behind. Nick really wanted us to have our own house though, and Mum thought it was for the best too, so I agreed as long as I was in walking distance of Mum. We visited each other every day until she met George and still see each other several times a week. I wonder if that would change now they are married.
I have a key but since George moved in I don’t let myself in unless I know Mum is home alone. It’s only polite. Mum does the same when she comes to mine if Nick is home.
Alison opens the door a couple of minutes after I ring the bell. ‘Hello, Lizzie. Mum’s expecting you,’ she says with a smile. ‘Best not to stay too long though, we don’t want to tire her out.’
I feel a bit put out at her use of the word ‘Mum’ again. And that she’s only been here five minutes and she’s telling me how long I can stay in my own mother’s home. She’s only looking out for Mum. And she is a nurse, I remind myself as I step inside.
‘How is she?’ I ask as Alison closes the door.
‘A bit shaken up, and her ankle is painful but we’re all thankful that it wasn’t a lot worse.’
So am I. I’ve been trying not to dwell on the fact all day that if Mum had been near the top of the stairs and fallen she could have broken her neck.
‘I’ve been so worried about her. Is she in the lounge?’
‘Yes. Excuse me, I was in the middle of loading the dishwasher.’ Alison strides off towards the kitchen, and I head into the lounge.
Mum is sitting in an armchair, her foot is in a black surgical boot and propped up on a pouffe. A front-wheeled walker is placed against the back of the chair. She looks pale and drawn but her face lights up when she sees me.
‘Hello, Lizzie. It’s nice of you to pop in and check on me, love. Where are the kiddies?’
‘I thought it best to leave them with Nick today. They can be a bit boisterous.’ I sit down on the opposite arm of her chair and give her a hug. ‘Are you sure you’re okay? Do they know what made you go dizzy?’
‘They said that my blood pressure was very low. Which is unusual, it’s normally a bit high.’ She looks puzzled. ‘I take tablets to keep it down, as you know.’ Mum has been on tablets to lower her blood pressure since the mini stroke. ‘Alison thinks it must be the stress of planning the wedding. Apparently emotional stress can cause low blood pressure and as I’m taking blood pressure tablets to lower it as well it must have plunged too low.’
I hadn’t realised it had all been stressful for Mum, she seemed so happy. There had been the mini stroke though too, I remind myself.
‘When the swelling goes down I’ll be able to get about a bit easier,’ Mum adds.
I look at her pinched face and dark eyes. ‘Is it really painful?’
‘A bit but that’s only to be expected. I’ve got some strong painkillers and Alison said the swelling will go down after a few days.’ She grimaces. ‘I’m going to be out of action for a bit though. And obviously we’ve had to postpone our honeymoon.’
I take her hand in mine. ‘Well don’t worry, I’m going to look after you. I’ll visit every day to make sure that you’re all right and do the chores for you, so you just concentrate on getting better again. Or George can drop you off at our house every morning and pick you up when he finishes work, if you want. Then I can be with you all day.’
‘Thank you, darling, but you’ve got the kiddies to look after, and your job to do.’ Mum squeezes my hand tight. ‘Alison has taken leave from work and is going to stay for a while to look after me.’
I’m taken aback at this. ‘You mean she’s not going back to Spain?’
‘No, she said she’s due some leave so is happy to stay here for a bit. She can spend some time with her dad and look after me. Isn’t that kind of her?’
Alison appears in the doorway then. ‘Can I get you a drink before you go, Lizzie?’
