Page 38 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Wheel him?’ Michelle’s eyes widened. ‘Is he… I mean, can’t he walk?’
‘Oh, he can walk fine,’ chuckled the receptionist. ‘It’s just hospital policy… but I have to warn you, he’s not exactly thrilled about the whole wheelchair thing. He’s been grumbling about it for the last twenty minutes. Anyway, I’ll take you to his room. Just a tic!’
Michelle blew out a nervous breath.This was going to be… interesting!
‘Right, here we go,’ said the woman, appearing around the corner with squeaking steps. ‘Follow me.’
Michelle hurried along in her wake, her stomach slowly tying itself in knots. This was ridiculous! It was just Danny’s dad.
‘Here we are!’ said the woman, coming to a halt in front of a door that looked like all the other doors they’d passed. She gave a smart tap before sticking her head inside.
‘Is my rescue party finally here?’ came a gruff voice from the other side.
‘You’re in luck, Keith,’ said the nurse. ‘Your daughter-in-law has come for you.’
‘Daughter-in-law, eh? Danny’s full of surprises today.’
Michelle winced, crossing her fingers that Keith Dalton wasn’t about to blow her cover.
‘Send her in, then!’
‘Look after yourself now, Keith,’ said the woman, before turning back to Michelle. ‘Take good care of him.’
‘Will do,’ said Michelle, forcing a smile as the woman squeaked off in the direction of another room.
‘Are we getting out of here or not?!’ came a rumbling complaint from behind the door.
Michelle took a deep breath and pushed her way into the room. ‘Mr Dalton?’
‘Well, Danny’s a fast worker, I’ll give him that!’
An older, slightly more weathered version of Danny was sitting fully dressed on the edge of the hospital bed with a small holdall at his feet. He looked like he’d been ready to leave for hours.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘I’m Michelle.’
‘I know who you are,’ said Keith. ‘You’re Brian Singer’s girl. You look just like your mum did at your age.’
‘You knew my mum?’ Michelle’s surprise made her forget her nerves.
A wistful look crossed Keith’s face, and for a brief moment, Michelle couldn’t help but wonder if her mum might be the reason for the feud. But no… Caroline had said it was something to do with a car, hadn’t she? And… Keith had been her dad’s best man? Or was it the other way around…
‘What have you done with that boy of mine then, eh?’
Michelle snapped to attention. ‘Done? Nothing… we… I…’ she cleared her throat. ‘Oh, you mean where is he?’
Keith nodded, his eyes gleaming in amusement.
‘He said he got caught up in a tricky breakdown,’ said Michelle, wishing her face would cool down. ‘He didn’t want you to get stuck here another night, so he called me.’
‘Good lad,’ said Keith, nodding his approval. ‘Right then, are we off?’
‘Are you sure you’re feeling well enough?’ Michelle eyed him carefully. He looked perfectly fine, but then again, she had no idea what someone who’d had a mini stroke was supposed to look like.
‘I’m right as rain,’ said Keith firmly. ‘Just needed a bit of an MOT, that’s all. New parts fitted, oil changed, ready to go.’
Michelle couldn’t help but smile at that. ‘The nurse said something about a wheelchair?’
Keith’s face darkened again. ‘Bloody ridiculous. I can walk perfectly fine, but apparently using your own legs is a liability these days, so I’ve got to be wheeled out like a piece of unwanted furniture.’
