Page 24 of Hollywood Games
‘Rory?’ He snapped his head to the bed as his mother’s eyelids fluttered open.
‘Mum! How are you feeling?’ He took her hand and she gave his a squeeze.
‘A little groggy.’ She looked past him to the doctor. ‘Well?’ she enquired regally, one eyebrow lifting. Rory felt a surge of hope. Doctor Ferguson beamed at them both and took Barbara’s chart from the end of the bed.
‘I’m pleased to say it’s good news on all fronts. Your heart is that of a woman half your age. Whilst what you experienced was awful, it was a panic attack, nothing more.’ Rory and Barbara looked at her blankly. ‘And I also have the results of your biopsy. The lump is a benign cyst, most likely caused by hormonal fluctuations from the menopause. It’s nothing to worry about and should disappear on its own. What I would prescribe is anything that reduces your stress.’ She passed Barbara a leaflet. ‘I’m sure you know what’s best for you, but here are some ideas other people have found useful. I’ll leave you to have a chat and we can get you discharged. Unless you have any questions?’ Rory and Barbara shook their heads. ‘Alrighty then,’ she said brightly. ‘Delighted to meet you both and I hope I never see you again... in this setting.’ She gave Barbara a wink, turned on her heel and walked off.
Rory sat down, the air in the seat escaping with a puff. He willed his emotions to subside as he picked up the leaflet and started to read. Barbara pulled it from him and tossed it into the bin by the bed. ‘But it’s helped other people,’ he said.
Barbara fixed him with a glare. ‘I’m not “other people”.’ The corners of his mouth twitched. This was the mother he remembered and could deal with. He took her hand.
‘I’m so relieved you’re okay.’
Barbara gave his hand a squeeze and then dropped it. ‘Yes, yes, but let’s not get all maudlin in public, shall we? Someone might mistake us for being lower class. Or, even worse,’ she shuddered, ‘American.’
‘Mum. I know now is not the best time, but I need to talk to you about the estate. I’m going to have to start selling it off. I want you to know you’ll always come first. I’ll make sure you’re set up before anything else happens.’
Barbara lay her head back. ‘I can’t believe it’s come to this, and so quickly,’ she said with a sigh.
‘Well, it’s been brewing for years, but the lawsuit sent us over the edge. I’m sorry, Mum. It’s all my fault.’
‘I saw the figures. It was just about manageable until Lucy waded in.’ She shook her head. ‘I had no idea she was so taken by that American she’d act this spitefully when he showed up. I’m bitterly disappointed with her, Rory. You know I saw her as, as my…’
‘I know, Mum.’
‘I mean, really. I can’t see what the fuss is about. He’s just your run-of-the-mill rich, crass Yank. All style and no substance. She could have had you.’
‘She dumped me more than a year ago, Mum.’
Barbara sighed again. ‘Yes, and I’m sorry I blamed you. If she couldn’t see the gold underneath the—’ She waved a hand in his general direction.
‘Scruff?’
‘Well, a comb and a new wardrobe wouldn’t go amiss, but yes. If she couldn’t love you for who you are then she didn’t deserve you at all.’
‘I’m glad you’re okay.’
‘Yes, yes, we’ve established that. Don’t make a scene, dear.’ She pulled the oximeter off her finger. ‘Go find me a nurse and get this blasted thing out of me,’ she said, indicating the cannula. ‘Anyone would think I was ill.’
After Barbara had been dischargedthey walked back to her car. Rory opened the passenger door for his mother, then got in the driver’s side. He turned to her.
‘I’m going to ring Zoe to tell her you’re okay.’
Barbara gave a harrumph and looked out of the window. Rory switched on his phone and it vibrated and beeped with messages, all from Zoe. He opened the first text.
Zoe: I know you can access the estate bank account from your phone, I set it up for you. Check out the balance then ring me. I’m thinking about you and your mum and have everything crossed xxx
Rory opened the banking app and stared at the screen. He handed it to his mother and she looked at it, sniffed, then passed it back. ‘Bankers. Can’t be trusted to get anything right.’
Rory called Zoe, putting the phone on speaker. She picked up and didn’t wait for him to speak. ‘Oh my god, Rory, I’ve been so worried. How’s your mum? Is she okay?’
‘I’m in the car with her now and you’re on speaker so we can both hear you. She’s much better. It’s all going to be fine, and the biopsy came back clear too.’
Zoe’s sigh of relief echoed around the inside of the car. ‘Oh, thank god. You must be so relieved.’
‘Yes, we are rather. We’ll be back in under an hour. I saw the balance on the account but I’m not sure what I’m looking at. Has the bank made a mistake?’
‘No! It’s from Brad! I told him if he didn’t put a non-refundable deposit down, we were going ahead with all the wedding bookings we’d already taken.’
