Page 69 of Teacakes & Tangos
I happened to mention to Clara that I was worried about him and she insisted on running me home during my lunchbreak so I could check on him.
As we pulled into the close, I saw immediately that his car was there, and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least he was back safely from wherever he’d been.
I smiled gratefully at Clara. ‘Thanks so much for this. I’ll just say hello, make sure he’s got everything he needs, then I’ll be straight out again.’
‘Take your time. My next class isn’t for another hour yet.’ She smiled and gave my forearm a sympathetic squeeze. ‘And family’s the most important thing.’
‘Thank you,’ I whispered, and I dashed inside.
I found Dad still in his shoes and jacket, sitting at the kitchen table, his head propped between his hands.
‘Dad! Are you okay?’ I peered at him. He looked very pale.
He nodded. ‘I’m fine, love. Better than I’ve felt in a while.’
‘Great. Those exercises must be working.’
He gave me a little smile and tapped the side of his head. ‘I mean I feel better in here.’
‘Oh. Right. Well . . . that’s good.’
‘I’ve been to the police station and told them everything. It’s such a relief, I can’t tell you, love.’ He took a breath and breathed out really slowly.
‘Why on earth were you at the police station, Dad?’ I asked warily, glancing out of the window at Clara’s car. This seemed like very strange behaviour. Maybe he wasn’t fully recovered at all...? ‘Dad, are you okay?’
He gave a weary sigh. ‘I told you, love. I’m fine. I just needed to get things off my chest. I had to tell the police about the part I played in the robbery.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I laughed, thinking I must have misheard.
‘I’m sorry, Dad,whatdid you say? Because I could have sworn you just admitted to taking part in a jewellery shop raid!’
He looked me straight in the eye and raised his eyebrows a fraction, his lips clamped together.
Anxiety rose in my chest as I walked towards him and put my hands protectively on his shoulders. ‘Dad, you’re worrying me. Are you okay? Maybe you should have a lie down.’ Was the head injury making him hallucinate now? This was a really worrying development. I’d have to try and get him seen by the GP. But what were the chances of that happening today?
He caught my hand and squeezed it. ‘I don’t need a lie down, love. But there’s something I need to tell you.’ He gave a heavy sigh. ‘You might want to sit down.’
I glanced out of the window, just in time to see Clara walking up the path to the front door. ‘I think this might have to wait, Dad. My boss gave me a lift and I’ve kept her too long already.’
I ran to the door and opened it before the bell rang. ‘I’m so sorry, Clara. I’ll just say a quick goodbye and I’ll be out, okay?’
‘Is your dad all right? Because if you need more time...?’
The sympathy in her eyes made my throat suddenly clog up with tears.
‘I don’t think he is okay,’ I confessed. ‘I think he’s started imagining things and I’m terrified for him.’
‘Oh, gosh.’ She looked alarmed. ‘Well, look, you go and see to him now. And don’t worry about this afternoon. Merry will cope fine in the café during my class, and I can join her when I’m free.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m absolutely sure. I remember when my dad was ill, it was such a traumatic time. Go and do what you need to do, Anika.’
‘Thank you.’ I smiled gratefully at her. I couldn’t possibly have left Dad the way he was behaving just now...
‘I really hope he’s okay. Let me know!’ she called as she got back in the car and drove away.
