‘Oliver, last night you were talking in your sleep…?’
He stops. ‘Did I say anything interesting?’
‘You talked about your love of… trucks. Big red trucks.’
Something flickers across his face. ‘I’ve no idea where that came from, Nelly.’ He gives his damp hair a flick. ‘You also talked in your sleep.’
I blink in surprise. My heart has started to pound inside my chest. I am now praying I didn’t mention my curse. ‘Me? What did I say?’
‘Water,’ he says. ‘You said something about it being your friend.’
Relief spreads through me. ‘Margo’s book. It was on my mind before I fell asleep.’
The memory of him fresh out of the shower stays with me and, to my frustration, is still on my mind as I board the train to Tide-Leigh.
As I leave the station I catch sight of the sparkling blue sea beyond the pier. On my way to Aunt Polly’s, I pass a little beach shop. In the window is an array of swimming costumes and caps. There is a navy-blue one-piece costume which catches my eye, and a pink swimming cap which makes me think of Mum. Without hesitation, I go to the shop and buy them both. After stuffing them in my bag, I head for Aunt Polly’s house.
‘Hello, Nelly.’ She casts me a weak smile and pulls her dark grey cardigan around her. Today she’s sporting a black woollen hat. ‘I didn’t like the cap, so I bought this.’
I smile. ‘You look good in both. Are you okay?’
‘I’m feeling a bit tired. Nothing we can’t handle.’ I reach out and squeeze her hand. The same vision featuring the little silver chain with the padlock remains unchanged.
I drive her to the hospital, and Nigella is her usual difficult self. At one point, Aunt Polly tells me off for muttering bad things about the car under my breath.
Aunt Polly’s chemo day at the hospital is lengthy but event-free. We play cards, discuss celebrities in a gossip magazine someone left behind on a chair, talk about the novel she’s reading, struggle over a crossword and talk to the nurse.
After I drive us back, Aunt Polly tells me she wants to sit on her bed. I get her settled, and I even manage to get her TV working, which makes her happy, as it’s been playing up.
‘I’ll be downstairs,’ I explain. ‘Shout if you need anything.’
She reaches out for my hand and gently squeezes it. I smile as I see the padlock on the bracelet. Reaching into my pocket, I grab a boiled sweet and suck on it until the sound returns.
Aunt Polly is smiling at me. ‘Thank you, Nelly.’
‘We’re family, this is what we do.’
‘We are family.’
I notice her cheeks are damp. ‘Hey, you’re not allowed to get upset on my watch.’
I grab her box of tissues and hand her one.
‘I feel rotten, Nelly,’ she sobs. ‘I’m struggling.’
‘It’s understandable, but you’re doing so well. Come on. Dry your eyes.’
She smiles. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
‘I’m not going anywhere.’
I watch her sink back into her pillows. ‘Ignore me. I’m having a moment.’
‘I have had many moments over the years. I think you’re allowed to have some now.’
She nods. ‘I’ll be okay.’
‘On Sunday, I think we need to go to the Sailing Boat Café and eat cake.’
