Page 71 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
I was glad she’d made the calls; I wasn’t sure I could have. While I sat, Sebastian and Monica dealt with everything. Eventually, Sebastian came and sat with me.
“They need to take her now, baby,” he said, quietly.
I nodded and stood, leaning down to kiss her forehead. I didn’t like the feel of her, but there wasn’t much I could do about that.
I waited in the kitchen, unable to watch, while the undertaker took her out. Watch her be put in the back of black van. The doctor spoke to Monica and then came to sit with me.
“Ruby, I know this is going to be a very sad time for you. I want you to know she went peacefully; we can see that. She was ready to go, and you have done everything ever asked of you. She had a good life and you should be proud of what you did for her. I’m just a phone call away if you need any help.”
I nodded. He’d been a great doctor for Grandma, she’d liked him. I’d never been sick so had never seenhim in that capacity. I could hear Monica and Sebastian talking, but I just sat staring into space. I’d cried my tears. I was at peace with her death, it was a blessing and one we had been waiting for. But I felt so unbelievably sad.
“Sebastian wants to take you home,” Monica said, kneeling in front of me.
I nodded. I didn’t want to stay in the house without her. I couldn’t face seeing her empty bed.
“Shall I come and help you after the weekend?” she asked.
“Please, I don’t think I can do all that alone.”
She hugged me and then stood. She hugged Sebastian and I was surprised to see him hug her back. He didn’t appear to do affection with strangers. Then it was just us.
“Shall I get you some more clothes, baby?” he asked.
“I guess so. I’ll come with you.”
Together we walked up the stairs. I stood just outside the empty room that had once been Grandma’s.
“I’ll have to tell the landlord not to bother redecorating now,” I said, and gave him a small smile.
“I know the landlord will do whatever you ask of him,” he replied.
I patted his chest then walked into my bedroom. I placed my hairdryer on the bed along with a brush designed for my extra curly hair, and some pyjama’s.
Sebastian grabbed some of the new clothes he’d bought and added them to the pile. I didn’t own a suitcase so packed it all into two tote bags. I also grabbed a tatty old teddy that sat on my pillow. It was the only thing I had from my mother.
He locked up the house and we walked down the path. The neighbours were out, leaning on their fences and gossiping, wondering what was going on. I ignored them all. I’d never spoken to any and they’d never shown an interest in Grandma before then.
We climbed back into Sebastian’s Ferrari, and I gave them the finger as we drove off.
“What do I do?” I asked Sebastian when we arrived back at his house.
“Did she have a funeral plan? A will, maybe?” he asked.
“A funeral plan, yes. No will, I don’t think. She wouldn’t have had anything to leave. She spent all her money on a house for my parents.”
I slumped onto one of the kitchen stools and rested my head in my hands. While I was glad she’d finally passed on, for her sake, I wasn’t ready. My life was finally coming together. I might have been able to save to take her on a little holiday. For the past year, she hadn’tleft the house. I had to keep reminding myself, she wouldn’t have known any different.
Sebastian came and sat beside me. He placed his hand on my back and the heat from it seeped through my skin. He comforted me.
“I already feel lost. I mean, I know I have a job now, but looking after her is all I’ve known for years.”
He didn’t speak but let me ramble on.
“Shit, I need to call Mike,” I said.
“I’ve done that. You’re entitled to some leave, Ruby.”
“Not really, though, am I? I’ve only just started. I’ll make it up somehow.”
