His Very Special Nurse by Margaret McDonagh

Author:Margaret McDonagh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘I HAD all kinds of plans for my career and where I wanted to be in my life now. I never imagined it would be here, caring full-time for my mother,’ John Harrison explained as the kettle boiled. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love her and I want to care for her, but there are times I feel so angry and resentful and trapped. Then I feel guilty.’

Alexandra accepted the cup of tea John handed her and waited for him to join her at the breakfast bar in his mother’s spacious kitchen. ‘Being a carer is a very difficult job, and one that is often unrecognised and unappreciated. It’s natural to feel as you do—I see many people who say the same, and often the role creeps up on you unexpectedly. We do the best we can with the cards dealt to us.’ She thought not only of John and her other patients but also of Kyle and of herself and the way life had a habit of changing beyond one’s control—closing some doors, taking away dreams and hopes, but also opening up others and offering the promise of new opportunities.

‘She used to be so active. It’s horrible seeing how this osteoporosis has crippled her.’

‘I know. Life is very cruel sometimes. Tell me what you originally planned to do,’ she encouraged him, resisting the urge to glance at her watch. She knew how late she was, but she sensed John needed this time to let off steam, and listened as he explained the dreams he had been forced to forgo as Libby’s illness had taken hold and left her chronically disabled and in pain.

‘I doubt I’ll ever get to do any of it now.’ John’s smile was sad. ‘So many others will be years ahead of me if and when I ever get back out there again.’

‘Have you considered doing some study at home? You can fit it around your caring responsibilities. Studying with the Open University is very rewarding and fulfilling, and if you took some courses now you’d catch up, not have to start from scratch when the time comes. At some point you are going to have to think about and plan for the day you move on with your own life again.’

John frowned, considering her advice, a shimmer of hope in his brown eyes. ‘Thanks, Alex. That sounds a really good idea. I’ll think about it.’

‘I have some information at home. I could bring it next time I visit you and Libby, if you like,’ she offered, finishing her drink. ‘And they have an excellent website you could browse. If you become a student you can join others on the course forums online, get to know people doing your courses so you don’t feel so isolated.’

‘You seem to know a lot about it,’ He commented with interest.

A wave of memories washed over her as she rose and picked up her bag. ‘I cared for my father before he died and I did some home study with the OU myself.

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