Page 30 of Waiting for a Bright New Future

“That’s good.” The old man massaged his chin with his hand in the manner of the thinker.

“It’s not all good.”

“Oh?” The old man’s eyes were alert.

Chapter Seventeen

“Florence is upset. Very upset. It turns out her daughter’s a drug addict and her grandchildren are suffering. She doesn’t know what to do and I don’t know how to help.” Stuart explained his lodger’s torn loyalties between safeguarding her grandchildren while not betraying her daughter. “It’s like all her bounce has been extracted.”

“A lose-lose situation, indeed.” William studied the middle-distance, as though getting ready to make a pronouncement on the solution to the situation.

The room was silent for a minute and Stuart’s own brightness subsided as he thought about Florence’s dilemma.

“And Jayne?” The old man’s sudden shift of topic took Stuart by surprise. “Is first love just as good second time around?”

Stuart’s grin returned but he chose his words carefully. He didn’t want to embarrass himself by confusing his romantic longings with the reality of their fledgling relationship. Lillian’s ‘in love’ statement might have been an exaggeration. “We had a very pleasant evening and I think we may have a future together.” He paused. “Second time around has the potential to be deeper. Better. Much better. More mutually supportive. Jayne’s worried about how she’ll care for her mother. I can be there for her and I like that.”

“Two women at difficult times in their lives looking to you for support.”

“I suppose so.” He hadn’t thought about it like that and suddenly felt a few inches taller.

“I like you, Stuart.”

William’s words took him by surprise. “Oh! Thanks.”

“You’re one of those rare people who genuinely want to help others.”

This was embarrassing. “I’ll put the kettle on and make you a sandwich. Cheese and pickle?”

Stuart escaped to the kitchen. He spread butter, sliced cheese and then took the meal into his client. He suddenly remembered William’s lack of energy earlier in the day.

“You weren’t well this morning. Shall I get the doctor to give you the once over?”

“It’s nothing. The general malaise of old age.” William was smiling but his brightness didn’t look genuine.

“Are you sure?”

“I was a GP for thirty-five years. I’d know better than anyone if I was ill.”

Stuart wasn’t convinced but there was only so far he could go if his client wouldn’t accept help.

William didn’t speak again until Stuart was pulling his coat on. “You’ve got tomorrow afternoon off.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll still pay. I know how hard up you are. I’ve asked my daughter to call. There are things I need to discuss with her, alone. It’s my birthday and I dropped a few hints that I’d like one of those posh afternoon teas with the sandwiches and scones and cakes. You can get them delivered these days. If we don’t eat it all, I’ll save you some.”

“You still want me in the morning?”

“Absolutely. You can help me put on my best bib and tucker. I want Andrea to realise that I’m still compos mentis and able to make my own decisions.”

When Stuart got home, Florence was wrapped in a fluffy pink dressing gown watching one of her soaps in the lounge. Stuart got to work chopping an onion, frying mince and locating a tin of tomatoes at the back of the cupboard. He couldn’t do anything practical to help Florence but he could provide a secure base to help her relax and plan her next move.

“I’ve spoken to Jacob, the children’s father.” Florence tried and failed to twist spaghetti around her fork. “He’s come to an agreement with Shirley that he will have the children every weekend. That gives them two full days and nights of proper food and care. And he’s told Shirley that if they look neglected in any way, he’ll contact social services. We’re hoping that will give the children some stability and encourage Shirley to buck her ideas up.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

She looked up from her plate. There was a dribble of bolognaise sauce on her chin. Stuart pointed to his own chin. She got the message, caught the splodge with her finger and licked it. Then she grinned at Stuart.

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