Christmas At Snowdrop Cottage by Helen J Rolfe

Author:Helen J Rolfe [Rolfe, Helen J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The care home wasn’t what Belle had expected. She’d thought of it as a place where old people sat around in a circle in wing-back chairs, barely saying a word, ignored by staff, and generally waiting until their time came to walk into the bright white light. But it was a residential care home, which meant it was almost like an apartment complex that had a central dining room, a lounge, and residents were as independent as they needed to be.

Sebastian and Belle had phoned for a taxi to go to see Gillian after the call and the second they got there Belle knew she couldn’t fly in and see the woman she hadn’t laid eyes on, heard from or spoken to in years. Sebastian went in alone but here he was, rejoining her in the lounge where Muriel, one of the staff, had made her two cups of coffee. She’d felt quite irresponsible with the smell of alcohol on her breath, although Muriel had asked her if they’d been at a Christmas party and she’d found herself saying yes, because it had been just like one. Nothing like a work function, but very much like the sort of get-together she could imagine Gran being a part of.

‘She’s going to be fine’ was the first thing Sebastian said, taking a seat next to her, putting a hand on her arm. ‘The medics have seen to her wrist. She has a bad bruise where she stumbled and fell but she’s not concussed as they’d suspected. There’s no need to even take her to the hospital, although I’m pretty sure the medics may have done if she hadn’t argued with them and told them not to make a fuss.’

Belle didn’t say much, just nodded in acknowledgement. To say it was a shock to hear her gran had been hurt was an understatement. Sebastian hadn’t got many details in the initial call, just that first thoughts were that Gran may need to go into hospital. Sebastian had insisted they make their way over there and if the venue changed they’d divert the taxi as and when they needed to.

‘Why didn’t you tell anyone else at the dinner?’ Belle asked.

‘That Gillian hurt herself? I knew they’d worry, they’d panic, and they’d all want to be here. That’s not what she needs, or you, or me, or any of the staff.’

She smiled. ‘Can you imagine Betty making her demands?’

‘Oh come on, things didn’t seem too frosty between you tonight.’

‘They weren’t in the end. Maybe she’s realising I’m not a total cow.’

‘I could’ve told her that.’ His gaze lingered until he added, ‘Do you want to see her?’

‘Does she know I’m here?’

‘She almost ran out here herself until I said I’d get you.’

Belle’s heart thudded against her chest. She took a deep breath. ‘I’m not sure I can do it. What do I say?’

‘Start with a hello, take it from there.’

Belle stood, her legs shuddered beneath her, but when she saw the tinsel around the

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