Now, it has all come flooding back. And I’m scared that Mum is in danger. She’s married George, a widower, whose wife, Carol, died of an allergic reaction after I put my crusts in their daughter’s lunchbox. And his daughter, Alison, is looking after Mum, who has suddenly had an accident and is always feeling ill.
It all seems too much of a coincidence.
THURSDAY
30
LIZZIE
‘You look tired, can you take an hour off today to rest?’ Nick asks as we all sit at the table eating breakfast the next morning.
‘I didn’t sleep too good but I’ve got the morning off, so I’m going to do some shopping then see Mum,’ I reply. I don’t tell him that I was awake half the night worrying about her and have decided on a plan of action. Instead of asking Alison for my key back, I’m going to get another key cut for myself, then I can come and go as I please. I’ll drive over to Gloucester and see George, as there’s a place that heels shoes and cuts keys just around the corner from his butcher’s shop. I’ll take George a cup of coffee and have a chat with him and ask him if I can borrow his keys so I can get one cut, explain that I don’t want to be dragging Alison to the door every time I visit Mum.
‘Good idea. And let me treat you to something nice, I’ll transfer some money to your bank.’ We have a joint bank account for bills, etc, and a personal account so that we have our own money to spend.
‘Thanks, Nick.’ I smile at him.
‘You deserve it.’ He reaches over and clasps my hand. ‘I’ll drop the kids off to school too. You have a long soak in the bath before you go. That always relaxes you. I’ll go and run it for you.’
‘Really? That would be heaven.’
Nick pushes his chair back. ‘Lavender or jasmine?’
‘Jasmine, please.’ As he walks past me he bends to kiss me and we hug for a moment before he goes upstairs.
The bath relaxes me, and I feel quite calm and determined as I drive to the shopping precinct where George has his butcher’s shop, park in the multi-storey car park then stop off at the coffee shop for two takeaway coffees – black for George and white decaf for me, I’m wired up enough without having caffeine – and a custard slice, George loves them. Another thing he and Mum have in common. He’s busy serving a customer but looks up and smiles when he sees me.
‘Morning, love, is one of those for me?’ he asks with a smile.
‘Yes, I thought you might need one.’ I walk over to the counter and slip behind it, as I always do when I take him a coffee.
‘You’re spoilt today, George,’ the lady he’s serving says with a smile. ‘Is this your daughter?’
‘Stepdaughter,’ he says. ‘And yes, she does spoil me.’
He wraps up some chops and hands them to the lady, telling her the price. She rummages in her purse and hands him a ten pound note. As I watch George put her money in the till and take out the change, I think how strange it is that I’m here bringing him a coffee and his daughter is at home looking after my mum. She’s just come over from Spain, you’d think she’d want to spend time with her dad.
She’s looking after your mum because she’s a nurse.
She doesn’t have to shut me out though. She’s doing that on purpose.
George picks up his coffee as the lady leaves the shop. ‘Thanks for this, love.’ He takes a gulp, despite it being hot.Mum is always telling him not to gulp down a hot drink because it’s bad for him but he never listens. ‘What brings you over this way?’ he asks. ‘Everything okay?’
‘I need to get some new trainers for Isaac and thought I’d get a few things for Mum while I’m at it. I’ll drop them off on my way home.’
‘I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. And it will cheer her up no end to see you.’
‘How’s she doing?’
He purses his lips. ‘Still struggling, I’m afraid. I hate to see her like this. And to think of her downstairs at night on her own.’ He takes a bite out of the custard slice. ‘I wish she could stay upstairs with me, but as Alison said, she’d be trapped up there. At least if she’s downstairs she can get out into the garden.’
‘It must be hard for you both. I’m going to get Mum a book to read and some treats to cheer her up.’ I pause as I wonder how to phrase my request. ‘I was wondering if I could borrow your door key, so I can get a copy made for myself. I gave mine to Alison and obviously she’s been too busy to get one cut yet. I don’t want to have to ring the bell and disturb her, she’s doing so much for Mum.’
‘Of course, love.’ He digs his hand in his pocket and fishes out his keys, slipping off the door key. ‘There you are.’
‘Thanks. I’ll bring it back right away.’
‘No rush, love. I’m here all day.’
