Page 40 of Her Fixer Upper

‘Thanks, love. At least that’s one less thing to worry about, and I know your granddad will be relieved when he hears it. Now you try and get some sleep for what’s left of the night, and I’ll give you another ring when I know more.’

‘Thanks, Mum. Give him a big kiss from me, and send him my love. And tell him not to worry a second more about Ted.’

When the call ended, I carried on gripping the phone as if my life depended on it. Suddenly the problems I’d been worrying about when I went to sleep felt so petty and insignificant. I felt chilled to the bone, unable to escape the mental image of the sheer trauma my beloved granddad had been through. And that was only the beginning of it. Who knew what challenges would lie ahead for him? One thing was certain, his life wasn’t going to be the same again. I’d heard too many horror stories in the news to be naïve enough to think his recovery and return home would be straightforward.

‘Don’t,’ said Charlie quietly.

‘Don’t what?’

‘Don’t let your thoughts go there,’ said Charlie. ‘I can practically hear the cogs whirring as you work out Arthur’s odds and worry about what’s going to happen next.’

I half-heartedly tried to shrug out of his embrace, but was quite glad when he gently squeezed my shoulders tighter, indicating that he wasn’t going anywhere. There was something comforting about the warmth of his arm around me.

‘It’s hardly surprising I’m worried,’ I said.

‘You’re a natural-born worrier, Freya,’ he said softly. ‘But a wise person, who also happens to be your granddad Arthur, once told me that by worrying, we’re only torturing ourselves twice over, because we experience the anticipation of the pain, and then the pain itself, if it happens. And it’s still an ‘if’ at this stage, isn’t it? Worrying isn’t going to change anything for the better or the worse, so it’s better to try not to do it.’

‘Easier said than done,’ I muttered.

‘I know,’ he said. ‘Of course you’re going to worry. You’re a kind, caring woman, and that’s your natural response. But don’t let it take over. You’re going to need to be strong for Arthur.’ He pulled me closer still. ‘You’re shivering.’

‘I can’t imagine being warm ever again,’ I said somewhat melodramatically.

‘You will. When the sun rises in the morning, you’ll find the strength to get through this. You’ll find the strength to support Arthur, because that’s what you need to do. And in the meantime, let me go and get you a hot drink and an extra blanket so you stop shivering,’ said Charlie. ‘Then you can try and get some more sleep.’

‘Please don’t leave me,’ I whispered, scared to be alone with my thoughts.

He hesitated.

‘Please,’ I said. ‘Stay with me. I feel better when you’re with me.’

When he finally answered, there was a huskiness in his voice, and I wondered if he was doing a bad job of following his own advice about worrying.

‘I’m here as long as you need me, Freya,’ he said. ‘Come on, let’s try to get some sleep. Kick me if I take up too much room.’

I didn’t think I’d stand a chance of getting another wink that night, but there was something comforting about lying there with Charlie next to me. My camping bed was a single, so we had to snuggle up close, his breath tickling the back of my neck. Slowly I felt the warmth return to my body and the tension in my limbs begin to ease. As I started to drift off, I thought I heard him say my name quietly, as if he wanted to ask me something, but by that point I was too sleepy to really register it or respond.

ChapterTwenty

Iwoke the next morning feeling warm, contented and like everything was right in the world. I stretched out and was surprised to hear someone let out a groan.

‘Eurgh, thanks for the elbow in the ribs, Freya,’ said Charlie.

I rolled over and found myself face to face with my house partner and everything came flooding back. The late-night call from my mum with the news about Granddad Arthur, my shocked reaction, Charlie’s response of calm, solid support.

‘Oh, Granddad,’ I said, sick all over again as I wondered how he was doing.

‘Not the response I normally like to hear when I wake up next to a woman,’ said Charlie with a wink.

I elbowed him in the ribs again, this time deliberately.

‘Don’t be disgusting, Charlie,’ I said, suppressing a smile.

‘Just trying to lighten the mood.’ Then his expression grew serious. He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ears. Despite my worry for my granddad, I couldn’t help noticing the tingle that Charlie’s touch ignited in my skin. How could I be thinking such things at a time like this? ‘He’ll be okay, you know, Freya. If anyone can get through this, Arthur can. I’ve never met anyone so determined and stubborn.’ He paused. ‘Well, maybe except his granddaughter.’

‘I think that’s probably the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,’ I said, my eyes tearing up all over again.

‘Then I probably need to work harder with my compliments. But seriously, no more tears,’ he responded, blotting them before they could fall onto the bedding. ‘Now we need to put on a brave face for Arthur. He’d hate to see you crying.’

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