The Woman with All the Answers by Linda Green

Author:Linda Green [Green, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

20

MICHELLE

I ring the hospice first thing before I leave for work. I emailed them yesterday, after my pep talk from Pauline, asking if they have any places available and for Mum to be put on their waiting list if not. I passed on all the hospital contacts and details the doctor gave me. And now I’m worried they’ll ask me questions I don’t know the answers to. I’ve written down Mum’s date of birth and address because I don’t want to be caught out. There are so many things you should know about your mother that I don’t. Has she got any allergies? Dietary restrictions? When exactly was the cancer diagnosed? I don’t know the answers because she’s my mother in name only. And I feel like a fake daughter. Charging in here at the last minute trying to do something good for her, to ease my guilt.

A woman answers. I give my name and Mum’s and say I’m following up the email. She puts me on hold while she tries to put me through to the person in charge of admissions. And then I’m through to her and she’s telling me that there aren’t any places, at the moment, but she’s put Mum at number two on the waiting list. And these things tend to move pretty swiftly. Which is kind of a euphemism for saying people go to hospices to die. She says she’ll let me know but hopefully Mum will be in by the end of the week at the latest. Not nice for whoever’s loved ones have died, but good for us.

I ring Glenn to tell him. He sounds pleased, says he’ll pass the news on to Mum when he visits later. That there’s been no real change in her condition since I visited. Just that she’s not able to eat solids now.

‘And the other thing,’ I continue, ‘is that I’ve decided to give Basil a home.’

‘Really?’ he says. ‘That’s brilliant. But you were adamant you couldn’t have him.’

‘I know,’ I reply, deciding to skirt around the fact that I’ve accepted life coaching advice from a smart speaker who insists her name is Pauline and she’s a real human. ‘A friend pointed out how good it would be for Liv. And I wanted to be able to do one more thing before… you know.’

‘Well, that’s fantastic. When can you take him? Only the neighbour who’s got him now is supposed to be going away next week.’

‘I’m planning to visit Saturday. I could take him home after that. If he’d be OK going with a stranger on the train.’

‘He’ll go anywhere with anyone as long as there’s food in it.’

‘Right. Bribes it is then, no different from children really.’

I realise as I say it that Glenn has no idea about this, not having kids. He still lives on his own as far as I know. Not that he ever talks about it. Or I ever ask. He seems happy enough, mind. Or maybe contented, rather than happy. I’d settle for contentment right now.

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