Page 12 of Lessons in Life

As if reading Lisa’s thoughts, Jess appeared at her side as she continued to load the dishwasher. ‘Mum, you’re doing too much,’ Jess warned. ‘You do this, think you’re OK and then wham, you’re back in bed again.’

‘Jess,’ Lisa said, ignoring the concern in Jess’s voice as well as the suggestion that she leave just when she was enjoying herself, ‘I’d like to work in the garden.’

‘OK, go home, then. But have a rest first.’ Jess frowned. ‘I can’t imagine what there is to do in your garden in January.’

‘No, this one.’

‘This one what?’ Jess was irritable.

‘Thisgarden.’

‘Mum, we have gardeners here.’

‘Well, they’re not doing a very good job.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Jess shook her head. ‘We can never get them here and when they do put in an appearance, they spend time drinking coffee and chatting up the staff. Anyway—’ She broke off. ‘We shan’t be needing them much longer…’ Jess’s face crumpled.

‘What?’ Lisa reached out a hand to this eldest daughter of hers who rarely showed her feelings, but just got on with what life threw at her. ‘Jess, what is it?’

‘The place is being sold.’

‘What?Thisplace?’ Lisa exhaled the breath she’d been holding in.

‘Hmm. Mum, what am I going to do? I’ve a mortgage to pay, a ten-year-old who already eats for England…’

‘Well, that’s because you feed her such delicious stuff…’

‘Mum, don’t be facile,’ Jess said crossly. ‘I really can’t be arsed going through all the rigmarole of signing on and looking for a new job.’

‘But surely, whoever’s bought the place will want to keep you on? You particularly. The staff respect you and the residents love you.’

‘Not convinced,’ Jess said somewhat mulishly. ‘Anyway, they’re knocking the place down.’

‘The new owners are? Oh, Jess.’

‘I’ve just had John and Ruth Richardson in…’

‘The new owners?’

‘No, no, they own the placenow. Have done for the last twenty years or so. I think Covid and then a whole load of new health and safety regulations have finally made their minds up for them. Running care homes these days is not only hard work but sometimes just not viable. Anyway, they’re off to Benidorm to retire.’

‘Well, more fool them,’ Lisa said, pulling a face. ‘Costa del Sol when you could be here in Yorkshire and out in that glorious garden?’ She nodded towards the grounds beyond the kitchen window. ‘What will happen to all the residents?’

‘Their families will have to find other care homes for them.’

‘And what about those who have no family?’

‘Mum, I don’t know. I just don’t know.’ Jess pulled a tired hand through her dark curls.

‘So, who’s bought it? Have there not been loads of people coming to look round it? Didn’t the Richardsons have the good manners to inform you first? Did you have no idea?’ Lisa found herself becoming crosser and crosser on Jess’s behalf.

‘The Sattar brothers,’ Jess said crossly. ‘You know, the Frozen lot?’

Lisa stared. ‘Oh, the brothers who’re after St Mede’s? Robyn was telling me all about them over tea last night. What do they want? World domination?’

‘Well, village domination at least.’ Jess managed a small smile. ‘Not the end of the world for me, Mum, whereas for the residents here, itwillbe the end of their little world. Oh bugger. Pass those biscuits, Mum. I need carbs.’

5

---