Second Chance in Barcelona by Fiona McArthur

Author:Fiona McArthur
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-07T15:20:14+00:00

* * *

By the time Cleo returned with Maya fifteen minutes later, she’d learned several things.

First, that Felipe was held in awe by the staff. When she’d questioned Maya on the reason it had come across as his determination to overcome all obstacles and his single-minded dedication to create this peaceful world for those at the end of their lives.

She’d also discovered that a lot of the capital expenditure had been donated by Felipe, but more importantly Felipe made himself available day and night for the patients and the staff. The relatives, he saw through the day.

As they traversed two more floors, the hospice itself continued to amaze and delight Cleo with the calm colours, soft furnishings and attention to tiny details, like curtains, bed lights and nurse call, which could be managed by voice technology or buttons by the bed.

Each room held a tiny kitchenette and the actual kitchen downstairs was available for the staff, visitors and, of course, the patients, and served delicious and nutritious snacks and meals twenty-four hours a day. All could be summoned by a push of the bell.

Towards the end of the tour Cleo couldn’t help asking a more direct question. ‘Is it very expensive for the patients?’

Maya laughed. ‘It depends. To spend your last days here would cost the same as the public hospital for those who cannot afford to pay, and is very, very expensive for those who can,’ Maya said with mischief. ‘The idea is to have both kinds of clientele in residence.’

‘And do you have enough staff?’

‘Sí. Almost. It is an excellent place to work but the interviews are thorough for those who wish to work here. We are looking for a certain type of person.’

Cleo guessed that was the royal ‘we’ and it was Felipe who was looking for a certain type of nurse and doctor. He’d said as much in the car on the way here.

Maya went on. ‘We have only a short time to care for these souls, but it is one of the most important times of their lives.’ Her sincerity was obvious, and Cleo nodded her head. It was how she felt about midwifery.

‘I totally agree. Thank you so much for showing me around.’

‘It is rare that I have the chance.’ The curiosity in the other woman’s eyes made Cleo smile but what could she say? His grandmother made me come? She didn’t think so.

When they arrived back at the room Felipe held Raymond’s shoulder with a firm grip as their gazes held. Felipe dropped his hand. ‘Goodbye, my friend.’

‘And you, Felipe,’ Raymond said. ‘Find happiness.’

Cleo hung back at the charged atmosphere and Maya looked sad for a moment as she observed the two men. She waited quietly until she had Felipe’s attention. ‘Is there anything else you wish me to do?’

‘Keep me updated.’ Felipe’s eyes were shadowed and Cleo wanted to take his arm and offer support. His friend was clearly dying, though apparently with a calmness and serenity Cleo had rarely seen.

‘Cleo?’ Raymond’s tired voice held amusement.

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