Page 36 of Merrily Ever After
‘Who is this woman?’ Ray asked Emily in a loud whisper.
‘Lavinia, dear,’ said his companion. ‘And who are you?’
‘Ray,’ he replied. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
The two of them reached across the sofa to shake hands formally. They’d probably been through this introduction a handful of times already, Emily thought sadly.
A woman in uniform approached just then with a tea trolley and collected their used crockery.
‘Hello, dear, are you new?’ asked Lavinia, beaming at the woman.
‘I’m Yaz,’ she replied, pointing to her name badge. ‘I made your coffee earlier.’
‘Of course, will you let Carlos know I’m here for my blow-dry,’ Lavinia said, patting her hair. ‘I’m due at a party at six and have yet to change into my gown.’
‘Will do.’ Yaz nodded meekly and smiled at Emily. ‘Would you like a tea or coffee?’
Emily accepted a cup of coffee; it was lukewarm and she drank it down in one go.
‘How do you cope?’ she marvelled, putting the cup back on the trolley.
Yaz laughed. ‘I just roll with it. Having short-term memory problems can have advantages. People are always making new friends. Even if they’re the same ones they met the day before. Top-up?’ She nodded at the empty cup.
‘Please. Doesn’t that get confusing?’ Emily looked at Lavinia and Ray, eyeing each other up like strangers again. ‘And do they ever make lasting friendships?’
‘Confusion comes with the territory here. We remind them, of course, as long as it doesn’t cause anyone stress. And yes, people do develop friendships.’ Yaz poured more coffee in Emily’s cup. ‘Sometimes our residents forget to come down for meals, or, like Lavinia, they prefer to survive on biscuits served while they’re waiting for their hair appointment.’
‘Or shout at the TV in my dad’s case.’ Emily winced, imagining poor Lavinia getting the brunt of it.
‘That’s a classic one, but we’re always on hand to help out.’ She picked up a cloth and wiped up crumbs from a table. ‘Sometimes people confuse a TV programme with reality. Especially if something gruesome happens.’
‘Yep, we’ve had that one.’ Emily grimaced, remembering how her dad had thought he was the villain inMorse.
As Yaz moved on to some other residents, she looked at Ray now. He and Lavinia had fallen asleep, and Emily decided to leave them in peace. She drank her coffee, picked up her things and set off for Ray’s flat, intending to finish the unpacking.
As she got to the bottom of the staircase, she saw Will again, running down the stairs towards her.
‘Still here?’ Will said with a grin. ‘You must have had a long day.’
‘I was going to say the same to you,’ she remarked, unable to keep the smile from her face. ‘Gail says you volunteer when you’re not doing your actual job here.’
If he noticed her blush at the admission that she’d been talking about him, he was polite enough not to mention it. He nodded. ‘Been doing it for a couple of years. It’s my way of giving back. Not everyone has visitors and that’s where the volunteers can step in. If I can bring a bit of entertainment, a fresh face to bring a smile, why not do it?’ he said lightly, as if every person in their thirties would volunteer their time if they had a chance.
What a generous heart, thought Emily. He couldn’t be more opposite in character to Gavin, who had once rolled his eyes at Ray when he hadn’t been able to remember Gavin’s name. ‘I’m sure your presence is much appreciated.’
He waved away her compliment. ‘Care homes get a bad rap, but the truth is that the staff are doing their best. Caring for the forgotten ones, the ones who don’t fit neatlyinto society anymore. And, honestly, being with these guys is such an education.’
She nodded. ‘I can imagine. I’ve just met Lavinia, who’s apparently off to a party tonight as soon as she’s had her hair done.’
‘Ah, the lovely Lavinia,’ Will laughed. ‘She was a model forVoguein the 1940s. Can you imagine the stories she has to tell about London back then? They often can’t remember what they had for lunch, but then come out with these amazing memories.’
That reminded Emily of the photo she’d seen of her and her dad. ‘I’m hoping that this tin of Dad’s unlocks some memories for him. I’d like to know more abouthislife.’ She took the lid off the tin and handed Will the photograph. ‘Obviously I was too young to remember it, but I’m sure he will.’
‘Cute baby,’ he said, turning the photograph over to read the words on the back. ‘Merry first Christmas. So this was your first Christmas, then?’
Emily shrugged; she hadn’t thought to look at the reverse. ‘I guess so.’
She had a sudden feeling of unease at showing her dad’s things to a stranger without his permission so took the photograph back and replaced the lid.
