Kenny puts our two mugs down on the table then he and Alison go through into the other room.
I’m so pleased that they’ve left us alone, and reassured too. ‘Are you feeling any better, Mum?’
‘I’m just so tired, Lizzie. I don’t know why. And I’m feeling so confused. My head feels all fuzzy.’
She really doesn’t look her normal self. ‘Mum, any time you want to see me, call me or message me. I’ll come straight over. It’s no problem.’
‘I haven’t got my phone, darling. Alison’s taking care of it for me. She said I need to rest and she doesn’t want me disturbed by constant texts and phone calls.’
I’m furious at this. How dare she! That phone is Mum’s lifeline, her only way of contacting people and calling for help.
Is that why Alison has taken it? Does she want to make sure that Mum can’t call for help if she needs it?
33
LIZZIE
Well, she’s gone too far this time.
‘She’s got a cheek. You drink your tea, Mum, and I’ll go and get your phone back. You need it.’
‘I don’t want to cause a fuss, darling,’ Mum says weakly, but I’m already marching out into the kitchen.
‘How dare you take my mum’s phone off her, Alison. She needs that. Give it back to her immediately!’ I demand.
Kenny throws me a look of surprise then turns to Alison. ‘Did you?’
She looks flustered. ‘Well, yes, but only because she needs to rest and honestly, her phone is pinging all day with notifications. You wouldn’t believe it.’
I would actually, I know how many FB groups Mum belongs to. She’s quite active on Instagram too. ‘That doesn’t give you the right to take her phone from her. You’re depriving her of the means to contact anyone and call for help for one thing.’
Alison looks confused. ‘I’m here if Mum needs help. And it’s only today that I’ve taken her phone away. It’s in her best interests. You can see how tired she is.’
‘To be fair, Al, you shouldn’t have done that,’ Kennys says, and I’m so glad for his support.
‘Give me her phone, please.’ I’m still holding out my hand.
Alison opens a drawer and takes out Mum’s phone – she actually hid it in a drawer, now I’m even more furious – and hands it to me. ‘Thank you.’ I look her straight in the eye. ‘And I have to say that I’m very concerned that it’s been almost a week since Mum had her fall and she isn’t getting any better. I know a fractured ankle takes a while to heal but she should be all right within herself, not tired and listless as she is.’ I pause, my eyes still on Alison’s face. ‘I’m concerned that she isn’t getting the care she needs.’
Fury sparks in Alison’s eyes. ‘Your mother isn’t in any danger from me, if that’s what you’re insinuating. And I resent your manner. I cancelled my flight back to Spain to look after your mum.’
‘Exactly.My mum. Not yours.’ I pause to let that sink in and push away the thought that it’s my fault Alison hasn’t got a mother. I have to put Mum’s health first. ‘I will be coming to check on her every single day in future and calling the doctor on Monday if there is no improvement.’
I pick up the bag of shopping I’d left in the kitchen and return to the back room. Mum’s sitting up now.
‘Thank you, darling. I hope you and Alison haven’t fallen out over this,’ Mum says worriedly when I hand her the phone. ‘She’s been very good to me and I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm.’
‘Maybe not, but she shouldn’t take your phone away.’ I sit down beside Mum. ‘She said it was because you had a lot of notifications coming in and she didn’t want you to be disturbed. Shall I turn the notification off for FB and Insta until you feel better?’
Mum nods. ‘Good idea. I don’t have the energy to answer them all at the moment.’
I turn the notifications off and we sit and chat for a while. ‘I’ve bought you a couple of books to read, and some treats,’ I say, handing the bag to Mum.
She looks at the books in delight. ‘I haven’t read these. Thank you, love. That will keep me occupied a bit.’ She delves into the bag again. ‘Oh, strawberry creams and a bottle of mango juice. That’s so kind of you.’ She smiles at me. ‘I’m sure I’ll be right as rain soon. I’m determined to overcome this. It’s ridiculous that I’m so weak. It’s really getting me down.’
I’m relieved that Mum has got her fighting spirit back. ‘I’ve got to go now, Mum.’ I need to do a few hours’ work before I pick up the kids from school. ‘I’ll phone you later. And I’ll pop around tonight when Nick’s home.’
When I collect the kids from school they’re both bursting with energy. Grace shows me a painting she’s done. ‘It’s us,’ she says. I take it out of her hands and look at it.My Familyis written at the top by her teacher and underneath Grace has copied it in lopsided letters. Then there are six matchstick figures, which I identify as me and Nick, Grace and Isaac. The white-haired lady and bald man holding hands are obviously Mum and George. Grace has drawn hearts all over the picture. I smile as I see it and think what a lovely family we are.
