Page 96 of Merrily Ever After
I told Emily the story, missing out the part about him buying a candle for her.
‘He has to be talking about your mum,’ Emily said, gesturing for me to sit down on a small sofa.
I nodded. ‘I hope he remembers some more. That’s been one of the worst things about growing up without her. I’ve had no one to tell me stories about her, I’d like to know what sort of a person she was.’
I put the flowers on the table and asked Emily for a vase. She found a pottery one under the sink and some scissors and I arranged them while she made a cup of hot chocolate for her dad.
‘He’ll wake up again soon, don’t worry,’ she said. ‘This is standard behaviour for Dad. Full of bluster one minute, zonked out the next. It’s like having a puppy.’
‘I’m partial to a nap myself,’ I said, watching his chest rise and fall, his lips puffing out tiny breaths.
‘Me too. I think the world would be a nicer place if we all took a nap after lunch.’
‘And possibly mid-morning, after elevenses.’
We both laughed.
Emily offered me a drink and while she poured me a glass of water, I took in the room from my spot in the kitchenette. There were two doors off this main living area, and I could see into his bedroom from here. There were some framed photographs beside his bed.
‘It’s very homely in here,’ I said, turning the vase to check my arrangement.
‘It’s the reason I chose it,’ replied Emily, setting a mug on the coffee table for Ray and a glass for me. ‘I was aware that this was probably going to be his last house move. I wanted him to feel at home. And I’m so glad I did. Because if he hadn’t moved to Springwood House none of this might have happened.’
‘Really?’ I put the little bits of stem I’d trimmed off into the bin. ‘What makes you so sure?’
‘The TV in his old flat didn’t show Freeview channels so he would never have seen you onThe Retail Therapy Show. The TV in the lounge downstairs was tuned to it the very first afternoon he was here. And there you were, on screen, a young woman called Merry, telling the presenter about your mum, Sam. He began talking about you immediately.’
I swallowed a lump in my throat. ‘That’s incredible. I think that’s what they call serendipity.’
‘Ithink he’s never forgotten you and perhaps on some level he realised that time was running out to find you.’
I looked at him asleep in the chair. An old man with a fading memory. So much time wasted. ‘And now I’m here,’ I said, smiling at Emily. ‘And if he’ll let me, I’ll be here again.’
‘That would be great,’ she replied with a heavy sigh. ‘I felt so guilty, moving him from his own home. But I couldn’t look after him by myself. The responsibility was too much. But it has worked out well for all of us. I know he shouted just then, but as a rule, he’s more relaxed. He’s eating properly now they’ve worked out his tricks, and he’s got company all day long to keep him safe and occupied. I’m his only visitor, so if you come too, that’s a one hundred per cent increase.’
‘He’s lucky to have you,’ I said warmly.
‘He’s family,’ Emily said simply. ‘And I love him. He might not have been the best dad, but you don’t turn your back on family, do you?’
‘No,’ I replied softly.
I’d always been curious about who my father was and it had been one of my biggest regrets that I hadn’t had chance to quiz Mum about it when I was older. I’d always assumed that whoever my father was didn’t know I existed. But Ray had known. He had met me when I was a child and he had told Emily that he had another daughter. I didn’t know the circumstances and now, given his dementia, I might never know, but there was a twinge of sadness that he hadn’t come for me, like a small stone in my shoe that might never go away.
The smile must have dropped from my face because Emily groaned. ‘I’m sorry, Merry, that was insensitive of me when you grew up without any family around you.Please forgive me, I’m still new to being a sister, I could do with a siblings manual.’
‘Don’t give it another thought. I’m new too, remember?’ I said, waving away her apology. ‘And yes, to the manual, for all sorts of things. Prime example, when I marry Cole, I’ll become a stepmum to his two children and, like I said this afternoon, I don’t have clue what I’m doing.’
‘I have every confidence in you,’ she said briskly. ‘And having children means you’ll have a proper Christmassy Christmas! Oh I’m so jealous!’
‘You could join us over Christmas some time if you’re free?’ I said instinctively.
Emily looked genuinely touched. ‘I’d love that!’
I told her I’d send her the details and then all talk ended because Ray opened his eyes. I wondered what he was going to say when he noticed I was there.
‘Welcome back, Dad,’ said Emily, squatting beside him and taking his hand. ‘Your hot chocolate is ready.’
He rubbed his eyes and stared at her, frowning. ‘Have I missed breakfast? What day is it?’
