Page 21 of The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge
‘Oh, can you get me the local paper?’ her mother replied. ‘I like Zoe Manners’ column on Tuesdays, she’s quite funny.’
When Stef opened the front door, the dog trotted up the hall looking interested. ‘No, Baxter,’ she sighed, then realized that he hadn’t had much of a walk. ‘Oh, I suppose you can come.’ She would tie him up outside the shop, then afterwards they’d explore the field by the church where she’d seen a footpath sign. His lead was hanging by the door. She clipped it onto his collar, closed the door behind them and set off up the lane.
Stef loved Hickston Village Stores. It was everything she thought a village shop should be, with post office facilities, newspapers and a freezer full of locally cooked ready meals. The place was something of a honeypot. Several cars were parked up outside and when she entered, leaving Baxter safely tethered to a ring in the wall, it was to see a short queue at the counter.
She grabbed a copy of the local paper and selected her favourite brand of dark chocolate. After she’d paid, she tucked the rolled newspaper into her shoulder bag, then wandered outside, nibbling a square of chocolate. Baxter lay sphinx-like, watchful, his large eyes mournful, but on seeing her, he stood up, his feathered tail wagging. As she bent to unhook his lead, a shadow flickered over the ground and she automatically looked up. And was surprised to see Aaron passing, heading into the shop.
‘Hi,’ she mumbled through her mouthful of chocolate and he started, then blinked, nodded curtly and continued inside.How rude, she thought, with a bolt of irritation, but then itstruck her that he’d looked agitated and, if she was being honest, unkempt. She glanced across the street and recognized his car. She hesitated, wondering if she should wait and find out if everything was all right. She took her phone out and pretended to consult it, but whatever he was doing in the shop took time and after a minute or two she gave up waiting and set off towards the church, Baxter trotting along beside her.
Just as they reached the churchyard, a car slowed beside her and she looked up to see that it was Aaron’s. It stopped and he lowered his window. ‘Stef, d’you have a moment?’ His tone was urgent.
‘Sure,’ she said.
He killed the engine and stepped out, standing uncertainly, one hand resting on the open door. His shirt was creased and his jaw was dark with stubble. ‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘I didn’t recognize you for a second back there. The sun was in my eyes. Then when I came out you’d gone.’
‘Is everything okay?’ His drawn face worried her.
‘Not really. My grandmother had a fall last night. I thought you and your mum would like to know.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry! Is she all right?’
‘Basically, yes.’ He pushed back his hair and frowned. ‘A twisted ankle and she’s a bit shaken up. She slipped on the stairs while I was out and couldn’t reach her phone. I found her when I got back. Thankfully she hadn’t lain there long. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t been staying.’
‘Doesn’t she have one of those personal alarms?’
‘No.’ He gave a weak grin. ‘Says they’re for “old people”. She’s still at the hospital. They’re running some final tests.’
‘That’s probably a good thing.’
‘Anyway, I’m on my way to Dragonfly Lodge to freshen up, then I’ll go back and fetch her. It occurred to me just now… well, I thought I’d catch you and let you know since you came to see her and I don’t know who else to tell round here. Also, I was wondering, did she complain to you about feeling unwell? Dizzy, for instance?’
‘Nothing like that, no.’
‘She didn’t mention it to me before, either. I don’t know how seriously to take it.’
‘I got the impression that she’s not a complaining sort of person.’
‘You’re right there.’ He smiled grimly. ‘That generation. They’re all stoics.’ He released his hold on the car door. ‘All right, just thought I’d check. I’d better be off.’
‘If there’s anything we can do to help,’ she said, ‘me or Mum…’
‘Yeah, thanks. I don’t know yet how I’m going to manage things.’ His tone was dismissive as he climbed into the car, as if his thoughts were already elsewhere.
Baxter gave a little woof of impatience. ‘Yes, yes, come on, Baxter, let’s go!’Poor Nancy, she thought as they resumed their walk. How would she manage unless Aaron stayed with her? Even getting her home across the reserve would be tricky. Perhaps the hospital would lend them a wheelchair.
On the way back to Springfield Cottage, Baxter was made to wait again while Stef bought a Get Well card witha painting of sailing boats. Back at the cottage, she and her mother both signed it. Stef added a message offering help and their telephone numbers.
‘It’s ridiculous that Ted’s put up a stair rail for me, but it’s Nancy who’s fallen,’ her mother pointed out.
‘One of life’s amusing little ironies.’
‘Mmm. And yes, by the way, since you were wondering, Ted and I do have an arrangement about the money.’ She held herself very upright and Stef read the challenge in her eyes.
‘You’re right,’ she mumbled, embarrassed, ‘it isn’t really my business.’
Early afternoon, Stef drove down to the reserve with the card.
Josh was in the visitors’ centre frowning over his laptop, but offered to pass the card on to Nancy as he was walking down in that direction later. He’d heard about the accident from Aaron, who’d stopped by earlier to tell him, but didn’t know whether Aaron had yet returned with Nancy from the hospital.
