Page 37 of Merrily Ever After
‘So, you were saying,’ she said, changing the subject. ‘About the exciting moments provided by the residents. Any good ones today?’
‘The best bit was helping a very nice person unload her car. Other than that it’s been a pretty standard Saturday. I’ve played dominoes with a couple of the old boys and then popped in to see Bernard, who has been struggling since he had a knee replacement.’ He glanced at her and pulled a face. ‘Makes me sound like a right party animal,doesn’t it?’
‘Welcome to my world,’ Emily said, flattered to be listed as a highlight. ‘A hot date for me means chicken korma for one in front of an episode ofFriends.’
‘I refuse to believe that.’ He grinned. ‘Although, if it’s true, you’ve just made me feel tons better.’
She laughed. ‘Sad but true, I’m afraid. I’d better get on, or I’ll never get home to eat it. Nice to see you. Bye.’
He raised a hand. ‘See you soon, I hope.’
Me too, she thought, conscious of his gaze on her as she trotted up the stairs.
For the next half an hour, Emily occupied herself making up Ray’s bed and finding homes for all his bits and pieces. She’d put the kettle on to make a drink when in walked Ray, accompanied as far as the door by Yaz.
‘There you go, Ray,’ she said, waving to me. ‘Looks like your daughter heard you coming; the kettle’s already on.’
He walked slowly inside, studying the room as if he hadn’t seen it before, and lowered himself into his old chair with a sigh.
‘Hi, Dad.’ She pressed a kiss to the top of his head. ‘Did you have a nice nap?’
He blinked at her. ‘Me? No. Just had lunch. I’m ready for a nap now though.’
She lifted his feet and set them on the footstool. ‘I’ll make you one last cuppa, then I’ll get off home, leave you in peace.’
‘There’s the tin!’ Ray cried, spotting it on the counter in the little kitchenette. He struggled up from the chair and almost knocked over the carton of milk in his haste. He hugged it to himself. ‘They stole my tin. They’re after my money.’
‘I don’t think they are, Dad. And we’ve got it back now,that’s the main thing,’ she said softly. ‘Shall we look inside?’
He tugged the lid off as he sank back down. The photograph of the two of them was still on the top of everything else.
‘What a lovely photo,’ she commented, taking the picture out. ‘Do you remember it being taken?’
Ray nodded. ‘Handsome bugger, wasn’t I?’
‘Oi.’ She gave him a playful nudge. ‘You’re supposed to say what a beautiful baby, I was!’
‘Very bonny.’ He sighed and relaxed back into his chair, muttering something under his breath that she couldn’t quite catch. She thought she heard him saysunny, but that didn’t make any sense.
‘What did you say?’ Emily prompted.
‘Sorry, love,’ he said, turning his head to one side. His eyelids drooped. ‘I’m going to have a nap before lunch.’
‘You’ve already had your—’ She groaned with disappointment. She’d lost him again; now she wouldn’t learn anything else about the Christmas when it was taken.
She looked at the photograph one last time before putting it away. She’d wanted to take it with her to have a copy made, but she couldn’t risk Ray kicking up a fuss and accusing the staff of stealing it.
She made him his tea as promised, even though it would probably be cold when he woke up and kissed him goodbye.
‘See you tomorrow, Dad,’ she said softly, laying a blanket across him. ‘And thank you for keeping that picture all these years. It means a lot.’
She made her way out to the car park again.
A takeaway for one and an episode of something comforting was in her immediate future and she couldn’t wait. What a party animal, she mused, recalling her chat with Will. She felt shattered; it had been a rollercoasterof a day as far as her emotions were concerned. The end of independent living for her dad, but hopefully, the start of a new phase of life – for both of them.
Chapter Thirteen
Merry
