Page 32 of Merrily Ever After
‘I ordered a taxi hours ago,’ she replied imperiously. ‘At this rate, I’m going to miss my flight.’
‘We can’t have that. Leave it with me.’ Will smiled. ‘You go back inside and put the kettle on, I’ll phone them again.’
‘Very well.’ Maude harrumphed indignantly and shut the door.
‘Sorry about that,’ said Will with a lopsided grin. ‘Maude used to be a fabric buyer for Liberty and travelled all overthe world. I think that must have been her happiest time because she still wants to be there. Now, where were we?’
‘You were boasting about your dominoes prowess,’ Emily replied, ‘but I see you also have concierge skills too.’
He bowed deeply. ‘What can I say, I’m a man of many talents.’
Emily didn’t doubt it; he’d already managed to cheer her up with his sunny attitude. But although the move so far had gone smoothly, her chest still felt buzzy with anxiety. Her dad seemed OK for now, but what was going to happen when she left? How would he cope tonight alone in a strange place? Or was it enough to be grateful that he was going to be safe, warm and fed?
‘You’re frowning.’ Will studied her face. ‘What’s up? Sorry, forget I said that. None of my business. Come on, let’s find your car.’ He gestured along the corridor towards the exit and Emily fell into step beside him.
I feel like I’m abandoning him.That was what she wanted to say, but couldn’t, not to a stranger. Because what if he agreed?
‘It’s been a stressful few days,’ she said instead. Stressful was an understatement. It had been a nightmare trying to sort out all the arrangements without impacting on her job: getting power of attorney, speaking to her dad’s bank, his doctor, social services … But after today, hopefully things would ease off. The plan for this evening was pyjamas on, phone off, a Netflix binge-watch and a takeaway. She couldn’t wait.
Will nodded. ‘I bet. It’s hard to watch someone you love deteriorating.’
‘Yep.’ She quickly blinked away tears before he noticed.
The young woman on duty at reception released the doors for them with a button behind the desk. The coldair came as a welcome relief after the stifling temperature of Springwood House. Emily pointed out her car and together they managed to empty it in one go.
‘You’re a star,’ said Emily, breathlessly when they got as far as the door of her dad’s flat. She dropped the suitcases she was carrying by her feet and shook out her aching arms.
‘No worries.’ Will lowered a stack of boxes to the carpet. ‘Want me to bring them in?’
Emily was about to say that she did when the sound of her dad’s raised voice reached them from inside.
‘It was here!’ Ray shouted. ‘I saw it myself. Now it’s gone. I’ve been burgled. I’m calling the police!’
‘Oh dear. Someone’s not happy,’ she said, wincing as she slid the cases inside the door. ‘I was going to introduce you, but perhaps we’ll leave it for now. Thanks for your help.’
‘Any time.’ He touched her arm briefly. ‘I’ll leave you to it. Hope to catch you again soon.’
‘Me too,’ said Emily, her bare skin tingling where his hand had been.
She watched him for a second and then closed the door behind her, turning to see what was going on with her dad. All the clothes she had hung in the wardrobe were now strewn across the floor. Ray was on his knees rummaging through another bag and throwing things over his shoulder.
‘Dad! What’s the matter?’ she asked, horrified at the state of the room.
‘I need my tin! It’s private. And now it’s gone!’ he cried furiously.
There was a knock at the door and Gail appeared.
‘Just popping in to see how … Oh, gosh, someone’s been busy.’ She gave Emily a reassuring smile and led her father to one of the armchairs. The fight seemed to goout of him, and he slumped against the cushions, unshed tears shining in his eyes.
‘He says his tin is missing and that he’s been burgled,’ Emily replied, bewildered. ‘But I’ve never seen a tin.’
Of course, this could be a figment of his imagination, she realised, like the stolen car, or his mum not returning from the butcher’s.
‘Tell me about the tin, Ray,’ Gail’s voice was calming as she took a seat opposite him.
‘It’s always in the wardrobe,’ he mumbled. ‘At the back under my spare towels.’
‘I’m sure it’ll turn up,’ said Gail, patting his knee.
