Page 24 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“Sweetheart, it’s New Year’s Eve. Enjoy yourself. We just got in. It’s the new year here. Things are hard enough for you as it is right now. Don’t work on a release. We will ring Meredith and have her do it.”

“I insist. Natalie wants me to do this. I am the one who should.”

Vanna groaned. “Okay, well, you know best, but this isn’t your job alone. I appreciate your loyalty to Natalie, but don’t take on too much.”

“I will have time to draft something and send it to Meredith. Promise,” Lucy said.

She handed the phone back to George and went to write the release.

George called, “What the fuck is going on with my sister?”

“You heard nothing. She’s in hospital for an ovarian cyst. I need to write a convincing release.”

“You’re the best, Luce,” he returned.

“Fuck if I don’t know,” Lucy muttered.

6

FUNERAL MARCH

“Your body’s response has slowed. We are comfortable letting you return home.”

The words were music to Natalie’s ears. Natalie and Ed packed and left the hospital for home two days after checking in. They settled for another couple of days at home before their transfer.

It was a quiet but nervous time. Natalie was still on pain medication, and unable to move much, remaining positive. Lucy rang as soon as they arrived home with more complications.

“Hi, I am sorry to bother you, Nat. I know this is terrible timing?—”

Lucy sounded wound up.

“What is going on, darling?”

“My Dad just passed—thank God. But now the funeral arrangements begin. Mum is a mess. I must plan the thing.”

“You’ll be brilliant at it.”

“It’s a Catholic mass.”

“Ugh. Do you know anything about that?”

“I have been to a lot of Catholic funerals, but fuck if I know. I’m driving to meet the priest right now. Well, George is driving us. I only had a bit of time to call.”

“Hello, Natalie!” George shouted. “I love you. Please call me sometime.”

Natalie’s heart sank. She’d been neglecting her brother. He was offended she told Lucy everything, but Lucywaseverything. Things like this—things only a mother could understand—were best left to Lucy. Natalie was a mess.

“She’s sick, George. Leave her out of it,” Lucy clapped back. “Uh, so I need to be off work. Because… funeral. And I don’t know exactly when I will be back. I still must help my mom tie up loose ends?—”

“Of course, Luce. Any time you need anything, it’s handled. I will work with Meredith. God, I will come?—”

“Nat, you’re not going to make it over here. It’s okay. I’m not offended.”

Natalie felt terrible. Lucy needed help and she was right. Natalie and Ed needed to stay put. They’d have their retrieval and their transfer five days later. They couldn’t leave.

“I’m sorry, Lucy.”

“Don’t apologise. Take care of yourself. I am sorry I’m not there. I will be okay.”

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