Page 36 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘Not yet. I thought I’d check with you first. But they’ve had a couple of cancellations for tomorrow night’s performance of Sleeping Beauty.’
‘Oh. Well...’ I hesitated, longing to say yes because I loved the ballet and going with Xander would be fun. But I knew it was impossible.
‘Are you worried about your dad?’
‘Well, yes. I’ve been spending time with him most evenings. What if I’m not there tomorrow night and he thinks I’ve abandoned him?’
‘He’d never think that,’ Xander murmured. ‘It might even make him happy imagining you out at the ballet.’
‘I suppose so,’ I said doubtfully.
I really wanted to go. But I felt guilty at the thought of enjoying myself while Dad was lying alone in the hospital.
‘You’d be able to tell him all about it afterwards,’ Xander pointed out. ‘Look, obviously it’s up to you how you feel about it. But I just thought that with everything you’re going through at the moment with your dad, it might give you a bit of a lift to do something for yourself just this once?’
I sighed. ‘I mean, you’re right. And I like the idea of telling Dad all about it, before and afterwards. You never know, it could stimulate something in his brain... make that vital difference...’
‘It might.’
‘Is it expensive, though? I can’t really afford –’
‘I’ll get the tickets,’ he interrupted. ‘You can pay me back some time – once you’re working again. At the café.’
I smiled. ‘You sound very positive about that.’
‘I am. You seem to be exactly who Clara’s looking for.’
‘Maybe.’ After everything that had happened lately, I was finding it hard to trust in anything working out well these days.
‘So . . . shall I get the tickets?’
‘Okay,’ I said at last. ‘Xander, I’d love to come to the ballet tomorrow night and demystify it for you! I’ll go and see Dad beforehand and then meet you at the theatre, okay?’
‘Sounds good. Although I could collect you if you like? Take you to the hospital and then drop you back home after the ballet?’
‘Oh, no, you don’t need to do that. You wouldn’t have time after work anyway.’
‘I’ve actually got the day off tomorrow, so it’s not a problem.’
I smiled fondly. Why was this guy so great, always thinking of other people?
‘I’d be happy to do it,’ he insisted.
‘But what would you do while I was in the hospital seeing Dad?’
‘I’d catch up with a mate of mine I haven’t seen in ages. Years, in fact. Dana didn’t like him and he wasn’t that keen on her either, so we kind of lost touch. But I called him the other day and we said we’d meet up some time.’
‘Right.’
‘So you see, you’d be doing me a favour in a way.’
I chuckled. ‘Okay. You’ve twisted my arm. That would be lovely, Xander. In fact, why not come over a little early and I’ll cook you a late lunch once I’m back from my interview with Clara?’
‘Lunch?’
‘Yes. I could make you a proper nutritious meal.’
‘Sounds good.’
