Page 38 of It's Now or Never

He chuckled. ‘No, we have Marcia to thank for these. I was going to get some in from that lovely bakery on Celtic Street, but Marcia insisted it would be just as easy for her to make some. She’s a great cook. Not as good as your nan mind, but still very good.’

I smiled, touched by his unending loyalty to his wife.

‘I did think Marcia might be here this afternoon.’

‘No, of course she would have liked to come, but she’s off visiting some friends. Besides, I thought it would be nice to spend some time together, just the two of us.’

‘Oh Gramps, I hope you don’t think you have to do this now after I made such a fuss that day when Marcia was here. I’m so sorry about that. I did apologise to Marcia. I think I must have been having a bad week.’

‘I know, I know. And that was never a problem. It’s all forgotten about now.’

‘Well, that’s good, Gramps, because I would hate to think there was any bad feeling between us. I got to know Marcia a bit better when you were in hospital and I can see what a lovely lady she is.’

‘She is, indeed.’

‘So, I’m delighted to be here, but are we celebrating anything in particular?’

‘No. Well, only me still being here after my little stay in hospital,’ he chuckled. ‘That has to be something to celebrate.’

‘Definitely,’ I said, smiling. ‘It’s good to see you looking so fit and well. You gave us all quite a scare there, you know that, don’t you?’ I let my arm dangle down by the side of my chair to give Harvey a cuddle and a sneaky tidbit of cake. He lapped it up greedily and noisily.

‘Yes, it gave me a scare too, I can tell you. And I suppose it got me thinking.’

‘Oh?’ I glanced across at him. I hadn’t been fooled by his assertion that the tea and cakes were just an excuse for a catch-up. I knew him far too well for that. ‘Come on then, spill the beans, I know there’s something that you want to talk to me about.’

‘Well, I suppose it’s a bit delicate. One of those things you don’t like to speak of.’

‘You can tell me, you know that, Gramps.’ I was getting concerned now, seeing his troubled expression. Had he received some bad news from the hospital? ‘What is it? You’re getting me worried now.’

‘Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. I just wanted you to know that I’ve been to the solicitor’s and had my will properly drawn up.’ I could feel the relief seep from my shoulders.

‘You have?’

‘Yes. I wanted to get everything in order and to know that when I go you won’t have a mess of paperwork to deal with. I’ve got a folder here with all the details in of my will and a few insurance policies, and the solicitor’s details too. I’ll keep it in the top drawer of the bureau.’

‘Okay, Gramps, although I really do hope you’re not intending on going anywhere soon.’

He smiled, his warm brown eyes shining. ‘Definitely not, but I feel happier knowing I’ve got my affairs in order. I can forget about it all now and get on with my life. Of course, everything will be coming to you; the house and a couple of small savings plans. It’ll give you a bit of security at least for when you’re older and have a family of your own.’

‘Aw, Gramps.’ I reached over and squeezed his hand and I had to swallow hard on the emotion forming at the back of my throat.I didn’t want to think about a time when I would need to see that wretched folder again, but I could appreciate the peace of mind it gave to Gramps knowing everything was sorted out now.

‘You know,’ I said, trying to inject some light-heartedness into the conversation, ‘there’s still time to sell the house and cash in your insurance policies and use them to fund a luxury world cruise or buy an Italian sports car or a little cottage by the sea.’

‘Ha, I’ll bear that in mind, but actually, love, I’m really happy with my lot here. I couldn’t leave this place because it would be like leaving your nan behind. Then there’s my allotment and you and Harvey. Everything I love and hold dear is around here. I don’t ask for anything more than that really. And I’ve got Marcia to think about too now.’ He dropped his gaze, wet his finger with his tongue and picked up the crumbs from his plate. ‘You do like Marcia, don’t you, Jen?’

‘Of course, I just said so, didn’t I?’

‘Yes, but you’re not just saying that to keep me happy, are you?’

‘No, of course not. I must admit I felt a bit strange about it when you first got together, but now I think it’s really lovely that you found such a good friend in her.’

‘Good, good. Just thought I’d check because I’ve been doing a lot of thinking in that direction.’

‘Have you?’ I said, intrigued now.

‘Yes.’ He was wringing his hands together, looking more uncomfortable by the moment. ‘Oh, there’s no easy to way to say this, Jen, but I wanted to ask how you’d feel if Marcia and I, well if we… you know… got together… took our relationship to the next level?’

I looked at him, eyes wide, wondering what on earth it was he was asking me.

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