Page 77 of Lost in Love
Anna’s jaw dropped. “He had to go into temporary accommodation at a care home this morning because it has taken you until now to come out and assess the house. Now he’ll have to stay there for another two weeks!”
“Maybe more.”
Anna collapsed on the sofa after the woman had left. She felt drained; the woman had come in and sucked the life and optimism out of her. At least she had a clearer idea in her head of the way forward; sacrifices would have to be made, and she’d have to speak to Carrie.
* * *
Anna waited for Carrie to finish up her tour, a tour that should have been done by Anna, before approaching her.
“Hey, we didn’t expect to see you here. How’s your dad?”
“He’ll survive to watch another war film, don’t you worry.”
“Good. What brings you here?”
“I’m going to have to be Dad’s carer full time from now on. I’m going to have to hand my notice in.”
Carrie raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? But you love your job. I can’t pretend I’m not gutted, but we’ll support you, whatever you choose, even though you’re the best tour guide we have. I won’t take your notice yet, though. Give it a few days. Let things settle.”
Anna nodded her agreement even though she knew nothing would change.
“When is he coming out of the hospital?”
“He was moved into temporary accommodation this morning over at Baycroft.”
Carrie nodded. “Oh yeah, my aunt was in there. Nice place.”
“They wouldn’t let him home until social services assessed the house, which they only bothered to do earlier today. Now he’ll be stuck in there another two weeks.”
“Won’t they let him stay at Baycroft?”
“I don’t know. He’s coming home anyway.”
Carrie frowned.
Anna could feel her blood pressure rising. “Don’t you start as well, Carrie. I’ve had Katherine badgering me since we met to pack him off to a care home. Even the bloody social services woman thought I was mad.”
“Seems everyone is on the same hymn sheet except you. Have you even spoken to your dad, asked him what he wants?”
“No. Katherine said I should.”
“Well, I say the same.” Carrie folded her arms over her chest, though her tone was gentle. “Talk it over with him. Surely it should be his decision where he wants to be. As I said, Baycroft is wonderful. It was only built a few years ago; it’s got all the mod cons.”
Anna couldn’t disagree; from what she’d seen that morning it looked like a decent place, but it wasn’t somewhere they could afford for him to stay.
