Kate was out of the door before her gran could stop her.
She hadn’t gone far when her phone rang and, with her heart in her mouth, in case it was a call from Raff, she gingerly looked at her screen.
Oh what joy! It was Beth.
‘Hello, darling. How are you? You have no idea how pleased I am to … oh. Are you okay, sweetheart? You look … a little unwell.’
‘I’m fine, Mum.’ Beth’s smile was clearly forced. ‘Now, please don’t worry or get upset, because I really am okay. And Avery is here. Look.’ Beth turned the screen so that Kate could see him.
‘Is that … is that a hospital room!’ Kate’s shriek literally scared the birds from the trees, and for a second Kate couldn’t hear her daughter’s reply.
‘It is, Mum. But honestly, I’m okay. I had a tiny accident this morning and it seems I have broken my leg. It’s not serious andthe doctor says it’s a straightforward break so I don’t need any surgery or anything. But I will need a cast, apparently, and to rest as much as possible for about eight to ten weeks. And I’ll have crutches.’
Kate was having trouble taking this in. ‘What? How did this happen? I’ll get the first flight I can. Where are you? I mean where’s the hospital?’
‘Mum. Calm down. It was just one of those freak accidents. I honestly don’t know what happened. One minute I was walking towards Avery’s car, and the next minute I was flat on the floor. I must’ve slipped on some ice or something. Anyway, Avery jumped out of the car, and a friend of his who happens to be a doctor and was nearby, came running over to help. And here we are. There’s no need for you to come, Mum. I’m fine. Avery will take good care of me. Unless … unless you want to that is. But then who would look after Rufus? Granny Viv can’t. And neither can Millie. And Nanna and Frank can’t just get a flight home. Besides, I’d rather not bother them with this. They deserve a holiday.’
‘Don’t worry about Rufus, darling. We’ll sort something out. I want to be with you. If it’s okay with Avery.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Avery in the background.
Beth smiled, genuinely this time. ‘Oh, Mum. I was hoping you’d say that. Avery has been wonderful. He really has but … I know I shouldn’t say this at my age, but I feel I need my mum right now.’
‘Of course you do. And I need to be with you. I know you’re in good hands with Avery, but I still need to see for myself that you’re okay.’
Avery’s head popped into view. ‘I’ll arrange a seat on a private jet, Kate, and a car to pick you up and take you to the airport, and someone to meet you this end. I don’t want to leave Beth, so it won’t be me, but it’ll be someone I trust. Let me know when youwant to leave and I’ll get it all organised and call you back with the details.’
‘Right now,’ she said, and then, feeling a little more relieved, she laughed. ‘As soon as possible, please. Thank you so much, Avery.’
‘No thanks needed. I’ll sort it right now and get back to you in about fifteen minutes.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Beth. ‘I hope I’m not spoiling your holiday.’
‘You could never spoil anything,’ said Kate. ‘I love you so much, sweetheart. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Eighteen
Granny Viv almost had a heart attack when Kate ran back to the house and told her and Millie what had happened.
‘Don’t worry about Rufus,’ Granny Viv said once she had calmed down. ‘He’ll be fine here with me. I can feed him and pet him, and I’ll get Ula and Greg to take him for his walks. He spent time with them when he was here over the holidays so it’s not as if they’re strangers. And even if they were, Rufus soon makes friends with everybody. We won’t mention this to Rose and Frank though. There’s nothing they can do other than worry if we tell them now. I’d rather they moan at us when they get back than spoil their holiday.’
‘I agree,’ said Kate.
‘And I’ll pop in and out,’ said Millie. ‘So we’ll keep each other company.’
Avery called at that moment with all the travel details for Kate.
‘Do you have your passport?’ he asked. ‘If not, the driver will take you back to Chelmsford to get it but then it’ll be cutting things fine so I may need to … oh, I can see you smiling so you obviously have it with you.’
‘I do,’ said Kate. ‘Don’t ask me why, but I take it with me everywhere. Just in case. Millie is here, if you’d like to say a quick hello.’
‘Hello, darling boy,’ said Millie, waving at the screen when Kate turned it to her.’
‘Hello. You’re looking well. I was going to call you later and tell you what’s happening but I’ll tell you briefly now. I won’t be able to get over to see you for a while. Beth is fine, and with Kate coming here, I know she won’t need me twenty-four-seven, but I’d rather not leave her for the first few weeks, at least. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Of course I don’t, dearest. And I’d feel the same, so don’t give me a second thought. Viv and I will keep one another company, so we’ll all be fine here. You just concentrate on Beth and yourself.’
‘I knew you’d understand.’
