The Bridge at Dolceacqua by Corcoran Merryn

Author:Corcoran, Merryn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cork Publishing
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

Aggie hadn’t opened any emails for the two days she had been in Dolceacqua. Amongst a lot of junk mail, she spotted one from Dr Viner and, unusually, one from her father which she opened first.

Aggie inhaled, her father was telling her he had experienced some pain in his arm, and went to the doctor who had sent him straight to the hospital for heart monitoring. They had diagnosed angina and that his heart was “weary”. He would need to rest and have regular checkups. He hadn’t phoned because he didn’t wish to panic her. His partner Barbara was staying with him, and he would call Aggie if things got any worse. The email had been sent on Friday afternoon; today was Monday. Aggie felt sick.

She phoned her father’s landline, but it went straight to voicemail, so she phoned his mobile. It rang for quite some time then was answered by a female voice.

“Hello Aggie, this is Barbara. I am sorry, but about an hour ago I had to call an ambulance as your dad was in distress. I had just found his mobile in his jacket pocket and was scrolling through to find your number; thank goodness you have called.” Her voice was on the verge of breaking. Aggie was dumbstruck. “Aggie, Aggie are you there?”

Finally, Aggie could speak. “Yes, I’m here. I’m sorry, I am just so shocked; I never knew he had a bad heart; is he conscious?”

“Yes, he is, and he knew I would be calling you. He told me to tell you not to come back. But in my opinion, if he were my dad, I would say “best you come soon.”

Aggie went straight into organisational mode; she went online and purchased a seat on the last flight out from Nice at 8pm, then called Jackson to tell him the news. He said he would be at the airport to meet her, and the spare room was all made up. Then she phoned Leo, who offered to drive her to the airport. Aggie thanked him but declined. She didn’t wish to add any more emotion into the situation. She knocked at Sarah’s door and asked if she would mind booking the taxi service for her as Aggie’s French was still a little shaky. Sarah immediately said how sorry she was, adding: “I am sure he will be okay,” at which point Aggie burst into tears. Sarah guided her into her kitchen and made her a strong cup of tea.

By 9pm UK time that night she was walking through the arrival gates at Heathrow into the arms of her tall, strong son. They both promptly burst into tears. Jackson took her small case, and they made their way to where the Heathrow Express departed; after a twenty-minute train ride they pulled into Paddington Station.

“Let’s not get a cab son, I would like to walk if that’s okay,” Aggie said as they took the Praed Street exit from the station and walked towards Connaught Village, then out onto Bayswater Road.

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