Page 65 of Lost in Love
Katherine took herself off to the window and watched the lights of cars moving around the town in the darkness. She instantly regretted it as thoughts of Helena drifted into her mind again. To her relief the nurse soon reappeared.
“The CT has come back clear, but the X-rays show he has sustained a fractured ulna and femoral head. The rest is just a few cuts and bruises. We’ll look to operate tomorrow if he’s fit enough, he is quite frail. I understand he has Parkinson’s.”
“Yes, late stage three,” Katherine confirmed.
The nurse made a note on her clipboard. “Hopefully it shouldn’t cause too many problems but no doubt you are aware of the complications.”
Katherine nodded. “Can you take me to him?”
“Sure, it’s this way.”
She followed the nurse down the corridor and onto a ward.
“He’s in the last bay. We’ll move him up to geriatric in the morning. Five more minutes.”
Katherine nodded and passed her a card. “Thanks for your help. Please call me if there’s any change, any time.”
Anna was beside Harry, holding his hand. She watched as Anna fumbled in her pocket and brought out a tissue to wipe her eyes. Katherine decided to give her a moment before she approached. Her core ached for the two of them and what was to come.
Harry was going to need so much more care than Anna could give. Even if Katherine could find a way to help them again, it wouldn’t be enough. The time had come, and she knew she would have to be the one to push Anna to see it, whether she wanted to or not. After the last few weeks of lies and distrust, she feared there wasn’t going to be much to salvage of their relationship, let alone a friendship.
Anna took some persuading to leave the hospital, but she eventually relented, mainly from exhaustion. The car journey home was a silent one; Anna stared out of her window into the darkness. Katherine didn’t feel it was time to raise any thoughts of what the future was going to look like; that could wait until the morning.
She pulled on to the drive of Abbey House and turned the engine off. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
Anna didn’t respond. Katherine touched her hand, mindful that she may have fallen asleep.
“I don’t want to be there alone.” Anna turned to look at Katherine. Her eyes puffed red, and strands of her hair stuck to her face.
Katherine reached up and lifted them away. “Do you want to stay here? With me?”
Anna looked through the windscreen and nodded.
Katherine knew it wasn’t the best of ideas considering her lawyer’s advice for them not to be seen together, but at this point, she didn’t really care. Anna needed her, and she was going to be there for her. She led her inside.
“Do you want anything before bed? Tea? Something to eat? I won’t offer you a whisky even though you look like you need one.”
Anna attempted a smile, but it didn’t form. “No. Thanks. I stink of the hospital.”
“Have a shower. You can borrow some clothes. I’ve got a spare toothbrush somewhere.”
Katherine wanted to take her hand and lead her upstairs, but it didn’t feel appropriate. Anna followed a few steps behind and took the towel Katherine offered her from the airing cupboard on the landing.
“You know where the shower is; there should be a spare toothbrush in the cabinet.”
Katherine sat on the bed in her silk pyjamas and typed out a message to Rebecca whilst she waited for Anna to finish in the shower.
Harry fell and in hospital. Damsel in my shower.
A reply swiftly followed; she knew Rebecca would still be out partying, no doubt drunk.
Is he okay?
He’ll live… perhaps not in Nunswick.
Good luck explaining that to the damsel. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Hardly appropriate given the circumstances! She needs a friend.
