Page 36 of Starting Over at Halesmere House
Alice was first through the doors into the night, the chill wrapping itself around her, and Neil was still grumbling at Zac as they followed.
‘It’s hardly a state secret and I know I don’t have to tell you everything. It was Sandy’s idea to go to the pub, only I went arse over whatsit on a rock, and now look at me.’
Slowly they reached Zac’s van, and he unlocked the doors, ready to help Neil inside. ‘Let’s just get you home and your leg up.’
‘Good luck with that,’ Neil muttered. ‘You go first, Alice, if you don’t mind. Save me trying to crawl over to the middle seat. And I think you’ll have to drag me backwards up to the flat, Zac. I’ll be the one on the sofa now. I might manage to get up those stairs to the bedroom but right now I don’t fancy my chances of coming down them again in one piece.’
‘Well, you can’t sleep on the sofa, Dad, not like that.’ Zac jumped into the van; his thigh pressed against Alice’s in the confined space, warming her. ‘It won’t do your knee any good if you can’t support it properly. Maybe I should run you down to Hayley’s instead and you can stay with them.’
‘Your sister hasn’t got time to look after me.’ Neil barked out a laugh. ‘Between work and the kids and all they’ve got going on, she barely has a minute. The last thing she needs is me laid up and they haven’t got a spare bed anyway. I’m not turfing one of the girls out of theirs.’
‘So what do you suggest?’ Zac’s mouth was set in a line as he left the car park. ‘I could take you home and ask Brenda to keep an eye on you.’
‘Not after last time.’ Neil shuddered. ‘She’s a good neighbour, but her feet might get a little too firmly planted under the table for my liking.’
‘You could stay with me, Neil.’ The solution seemed perfectly obvious to Alice. ‘All the bedrooms are on the ground floor, so you won’t have to worry about stairs. The guest room is en suite too, with a walk-in shower.’
She’d barely finished her final sentence before two male voices rose in unison.
‘Well, if you’re sure, Alice? That’s very kind of—’
‘That’s not going to work! He’ll drive you mad and he’s really not your problem.’
‘Zac, it makes perfect sense. Your dad can get around in the kitchen and there’s a TV in the bedroom, so he won’t have to go up to the sitting room if he doesn’t want to.’
‘Look, you really don’t have to do this. He’ll get in your way, and he never stops talking. And he snores.’
‘I am still sitting here, you cheeky bugger.’ Neil couldn’t nudge Zac from where he was sitting, and Alice laughed.
‘I’d like to, and this way you can have your bedroom back, at least until your dad can manage the stairs again.’
‘I think it’ll be a good few days before I can do any stairs,’ Neil said cheerfully. ‘You’re a star, Alice, thanks. I’ll need some things fetching from the flat, Zac. Sorry.’
‘Dad, it’s not decided,’ Zac muttered. ‘Alice is busy too. She hasn’t got time to wait on you hand and foot; she’s got work to do.’
‘Oh, I think it is decided, son. Alice has offered and I’ve accepted. I’m not sure you’ve got much say in the matter.’
At the barn, Zac helped Neil out of the van and they followed her into the house. The takeaway was still sitting on the breakfast bar, and it didn’t smell quite so enticing now. Alice hated to waste it, but she wasn’t sure it would heat up very well. The cake and coffee with Zac had been hours ago, and Neil looked pale and tired.
‘Let me show you your room,’ she said briskly, giving him a sympathetic smile. ‘Then you can settle in, and I’ll make us something to eat.’
‘Thanks, Alice. Zac, could you make sure you bring my phone charger back with you as well? I’d like to text Sandy and let her know I’m okay. Say thanks, too.’
‘I sent her a quick message before so she wouldn’t be worrying but I’m sure she’d love to hear it from you.’ Alice opened the guest bedroom door and Neil limped past her.
‘This is very nice.’ He was even more cheerful as he took in twin beds and cosy furnishings, the oak furniture. ‘Thanks a million. I’m sure I’ll be comfortable in here.’
‘You’re very welcome. Would you like a drink?’
‘A cup of tea would hit the spot, thanks.’
‘Dad, Alice is not here to run around after you!’ Zac had joined her, and awareness flared on her skin as he stood beside her.
‘Well, you make it then.’ Neil grinned as he lowered himself onto the bed nearest the bathroom.
‘I don’t mind,’ Alice assured Zac. ‘Your dad needs to get his leg up and rest it as much as possible.’
‘I do.’ Neil nodded firmly and added a wince for good measure. ‘Who knows how long it’ll take? Could be a week, maybe more.’
