“And now that your niece is home, we’ll get out of your way and leave you in peace,” said Claire as the three women got to their feet.
“Please don’t rush off on my account,” Gaby said.
“We’ve been here for ages already, talking your aunt’s ear off,” Olive assured her. “And when we arrived, she had another couple of visitors already here. I’m sure it’s been a tiring afternoon listening to us all chattering away and I have no doubt Jill is ready for a bit of peace and quiet.”
Jill got to her feet and grabbed her crutches for balance and the three guests embraced her and said goodbye. Gaby accompanied the ladies to the door to see them off to save her aunt the trip through the hallway.
“It’s very good of you to come and look after your aunt while she’s on the mend,” Olive said to Gaby as the women left the house.
“I’m happy to be here,” Gaby said. “Jill hasn’t needed much help, though. She’s determined to get through the recovery as quickly as possible.”
“Naturally, but she told us how touched she is that you’re here with her and keeping her company,” Olive said. “You’re a good girl.”
Gaby blushed and laughed a little at the touching words.
“Now, if you need any help, we’re all here for you and for Jill,” Olive said as the three women exited the front gate. “Don’t you hesitate to call on us, okay?”
“Thank you. And thanks for visiting.”
The women waved and walked off along Foxglove Street. Back inside the house, Gaby shooed her aunt away from the tea tray she was loading with dirty cups and plates.
“Let me do that,” she said and carried it through to the kitchen where she found two wrapped bouquets of flowers sitting in jugs on the counter.
“Oh, I forgot all about these flowers that are waiting to be dealt with,” Jill said, shuffling towards them. “My first visitors, who arrived an hour or so after you left, brought these glorious mixed roses for me. And my lunch ladies brought this wonderful autumn bouquet. Aren’t those yellow daisies so cheerful?”
“They’re lovely, Aunt Jill. You have good friends who love you.”
“I’m very lucky.”
“Would you like me to unwrap the bouquets for you?”
“No, I’d like to do it. I’ve been sitting down for too long this afternoon gossiping with my visitors and I’d like to stay on my feet for a while. I’ll arrange the flowers if you deal with the tea mugs and plates and so on.”
Gaby got to work clearing the tray and loading things into the dishwasher. At her aunt’s insistence, she filled her in on the afternoon she’d spent at the Riverford Hotel managing the birthday party function.
“You must be hungry after working so hard,” Jill said. “Perhaps we could have the quiche slices you brought home from the delicatessen for our meal tonight? Although after all the cake I ate this afternoon, I’m not sure I’m hungry enough for a full meal.”
“I’ll warm it up in a while. I’m sure you’ll be hungry soon.”
Gaby’s phone pinged and when she checked the screen she saw a message from Harry Goodwin, explaining he’d just heard confirmation from their hotel events manager that she’d need more time off following her mother’s hospitalisation after the road accident, and asking if she’d be willing to help them out again.
Gaby’s fingers hovered over the phone as she considered her response.
“Aunt Jill, I just heard from Harry Goodwin. He wants me to step in and help again at the hotel while their events manager takes more time off. If I say yes, would you be okay with that?”
Jill looked up from her work arranging the flowers in vases. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because I came here to look after you and spend time with you, not swan off to work shifts in a hotel.”
“You’re not swanning off, Gaby. You’re helping a local family business that is struggling with an unexpected staffing issue. I’m proud of you for doing that and if they need more help, then of course you should be there for them. I’m not exactly bedridden.”
“I know. I just don’t want you to feel abandoned.”
Jill let out a laugh. “I certainly don’t feel abandoned, my dear. You flew all the way from Spain to be with me and you’ve given up your precious time to stay here and keep me company. I don’t expect you to stay stuck inside the house for the entire duration of your visit. And don’t forget that Harry’s great-aunt Anita is a good friend of mine. I’m very happy you’re helping them.”
“Harry said in his message that they probably only need me for a couple more shifts because they’ve reworked their staffing to cover most of the gaps.”
“Fine, but if it turns out they need more help from you, that’s fine too. Tell that poor boy you’ll lend a hand and put him out of his misery.”
