Page 78 of Lost in Love
Chapter 24
Anna felt a little apprehensive entering the care home the next day. Having slept poorly, she had been in a bad mood since she’d dragged herself out of bed. So much needed doing that it was starting to weigh on her. She’d spent most of the night juggling it around in her mind, trying to order the jobs by importance.
She was met with smiles as she signed in at reception and forced herself to engage with the staff if only to try and snap herself out of her mood. It seemed to help, and she entered her dad’s room with a fresh smile on her face. She was determined not to let him know she wasn’t having the best day.
“Hey, Dad, how are you?”
“All right, love. A bit stiff in the hip, but they have me doing physio, gentle stuff, you know.”
“Good, you’ll soon have your dancing shoes back on.”
Harry laughed.
“Did you sleep all right?” Anna grabbed the spare chair from the corner of the room and placed it beside him.
“Yep, and before you ask, the food is great too. What did the woman from the council have to say?”
“They can make all the changes we need, but it will be at least two weeks. Do you think you can cope here that long?”
Harry took a moment to respond, looking at her directly when he did. “You know I’m not going to get any better, don’t you, love? I’m going to get a lot worse, and I can’t ask you to keep on looking after me.”
Anna felt breathless. “I don’t mind, Dad, honestly. Mum would have wanted you at home with me.”
“Anna, your mum’s not here, but I am, and I’m telling you I don’t want you to do this. It’s your decision. If you want me home, I’ll come, but I’m telling you I’d rather be here.”
Anna opened her mouth to speak, but Harry pre-empted her.
“No, I’m not just saying that. You’ve looked after me so well these past months, and I’m grateful to you, more than I can tell you, kid, but I really do like it here. I’ve even met up with a chum from my old work. He’s been here for five years. There’s always someone to chat to and people my age. We talk about old times; we even have the same lingo you youngsters don’t understand. I can get up when I want and not when you need me to.”
“But I’d give up work, Dad. I’d be with you all the time. We’d be working to your schedule, not mine. I’m not giving up; I can do this.”
He stared at her with his kind, warm eyes. “No, you’re not giving up, Anna. I know you’ll never give up trying your best, but I’m asking you, for me, to channel your best somewhere else now, into your life, not mine. I will die here, but that won’t be your fault. It won’t be anyone’s fault; it’s just life. Now go away, make a life for yourself, but promise to pop back occasionally and tell me how fantastic it is, all right? If you’ve got any sense at all, you’ll make sure the doc is part of it.”
Anna wiped away the tears that were resting in her eyes. She suddenly felt a great sense of relief — that she had done all she could, and it had been enough, but it was now at an end.
“You know we’d have to give the house up.”
“I wondered as much. Would they not let you stay in it?”
“I’ve only been there a few months, and my name isn’t on the tenancy or any of the bills. I’ve got no rights. Plus, it wouldn’t be the same there without you.”
Harry put his hands together and looked down at them shaking. Anna wasn’t sure if he was sad because she’d be homeless and they would lose their family home or because she might ask him to come home.
“Look, Dad, I’m sure I can find somewhere else, a new start for both of us?” She placed her hands on his, and he looked up with a smile. “After all, our memories are in here.” She tapped his head.
Harry’s face lit up. “Really?”
“If it’s what you want.”
“Good, ‘cos I’ve already told them they’re stuck with me.”
Anna deflated. “You can’t stay here, Dad. We couldn’t afford it. I thought you meant we’d find you another home.”
Harry shook his head. “No, no, listen. A lady came down from the office this morning and spoke to me about it. She said because of my Parkinson’s the NHS will pay for some of it; the council will pay some, too, and the rest I can cover from my pension. I don’t get left much, but it’s enough for a few things from the shop if I need them. I don’t need much else, do I, love?”
“Let me check the details with them before you get too excited.”
He barrelled on. “I’m serious about the doctor too. Perhaps you can stop in with her; it must be lonely for her in that big house. Now she’s not my doctor, there’s no reason you can’t be together.”
