She’s said that with such certainty. How does she know how long my mum will sleep?
Did Alison drug her so she could mooch through Mum’s personal things? Has she taken her will? Jumbled thoughts are racing through my head.
I’ve been so consumed with guilt that I’ve overlooked the fact that none of us know much about George and his family. The wedding happened so quickly, then came Mum’s fall and suddenly George’s family are practically living here. Is Alison – or one of the others – drugging Mum to make her confused so that they can get money out of her?
32
LIZZIE
I creep down the stairs softly, wanting to hear what Alison and Kenny are saying.
As I reach the bottom step I hear the kitchen door open and then Alison gasp. ‘What’s that shopping doing here? Someone’s been here.’
She walks out of the kitchen as I reach the dining room. ‘Lizzie! What are you doing here?’
‘I came to see Mum. I bought some things for her.’ I can’t get over how shocked she looks. Anyone would think that I’d walked into her house unannounced instead of my own mother’s home.
‘How did you get in? Did I leave the door unlocked?’ She looks confused.
I take the key out of my pocket and jangle it. ‘I have a key.’ I wasn’t going to tell her how, I don’t have to explain everything to her.
Kenny steps out now to join her. ‘Hello Liz,’ he says with a grin.
‘Hi Kenny, is everything okay?’
He shrugs. ‘Day off. I thought I’d drive over and catch up with this one before she goes back to Spain.’
Hope springs up in me. ‘You’re going back?’
‘Not yet. Not until your mum is better.’
‘It seems to be taking her a long time to recover. She had the fall almost a week ago.’ I fold my arms. ‘I’m going to book her an appointment with the doctor, get her checked over.’
‘Recovery in older patients can take longer, Lizzie,’ Alison explains patiently. ‘I think Mum is a bit depressed too, which is only natural. People often are when they have an injury that restricts their mobility. If she doesn’t improve over the weekend, I will call the doctor on Monday. After all, I’m her medical carer.’
‘She’s practically knocked out, Alison,’ I point out. ‘It’s almost as if she’s been drugged.’
I leave the words hanging there and walk out. I want to check if Mum is awake.
‘Lizzie, is that you?’ Her voice is weak, barely more than a whisper, and my heart constricts.
I go over to her and kneel down, holding her hand in mine. ‘Yes, it’s me, I popped in to see how you are. I’ve bought you a couple of books to read. And a few of your favourite treats. How about I help you sit up and make you a nice cup of tea?’
‘That would be welcome, dear,’ Mum says and tries to edge herself up.
Alison has followed me in and immediately hurries over to Mum. ‘Let me!’ She steps in front of me, lifts Mum and puts an extra pillow behind her back. ‘There you are.’
‘Thank you, dear,’ Mum says.
I feel a bit put out, I’m quite capable of helping Mum sit up.
‘Sorry, it’s just there’s a special way of helping a patient into a sitting position,’ Alison says, looking a bit contrite. ‘Look, why don’t Kenny and I go and have a catch-up in the kitchen and leave you to talk to your mum for a bit? I’m sure you’d like some alone time with her.’
Yes, I would and I’m grateful that Alison has recognised this. Maybe I’m being over suspicious of her, after all. ‘That’d be great. Let me just make the drinks first.’
‘Already done.’ Kenny comes out of the kitchen with a tray loaded with four mugs. ‘Tea for Judith, decaf for you, Liz, and coffee for us two. Have I got that right?’
‘Perfect,’ I tell him. ‘Thank you.’
