Page 13 of Forgive Not Forget
“Yes, and he’s doing okay, as well as you can expect for a Parkinson’s patient. He had a fall last year, and I was working full-time. It was the only option.”
“That must have been hard. Mum died in her sleep, so we never had to make that decision.”
“It would have been if it had been my decision. Dad decided it was right.” Anna laughed to think back at her behaviour. “I fought it, much to Kat’s annoyance. She said from the start he needed to be in a home, as if it was the easiest decision to make.”
“Send him my best next time you see him.”
“I will; we’re visiting tomorrow. We haven’t seen him in a while as he had a cold; otherwise you could have said hello at the opening. He insists we don’t visit when he’s ill as he doesn’t want to pass it on. He knows how busy we are.”
“I can’t get over how much the abbey has changed. The visitor centre is quite something.”
“It will be if we ever finish the extension.”
“Didn’t it only open last year? Why are you extending already? Is it that popular?”
“It had its first full season last year, and yes, it’s that popular. We’re extending the café to a restaurant and adding a proper gift shop. It’s a shame you weren’t here for the new year. I held an epic party.” Anna drained her mug.
“Well, we’ll be here this year and can’t wait. Shall I take you to see Miss Impatient?”
“Yes,” Anna replied eagerly. She liked Abigail; the girl was refreshing.
Laura led the way upstairs, passing Tom’s room first. The door was ajar and revealed carnage comprising of open video game boxes, clothes, and empty bowls and glasses.
Abigail’s room was as Anna had expected to find it. Typical pink walls held shelves of books, and more importantly, a bean bag sat in a corner, ready for the girl to collapse onto to read them all. A desk in one corner was heavy with colouring pens and pencils, and the walls around it were plastered with drawings.
“When are you getting married?” Abigail asked once she’d given Anna the tour of her room.
“We were going to do it in the summer, but with all the delays at the abbey, we haven’t set on a date.”
“You’re getting married at the abbey?”
“Yes, in Abbey barn, but it has to be given permission to hold weddings, and we’re waiting to receive that before we can choose a date.” Katherine had said it would be tempting fate to choose a date and then wait for permission.
“Will you both wear dresses?”
“I’m not sure.” They hadn’t thought as far as what they would wear.
“I can’t wait to get married so I can wear a beautiful, long, white dress.”
“You can wear one of them anytime you like, you know.”
“Who did the body you find belong to? Was it gooey?”
Anna was caught off guard by the sudden change of direction. She looked to Laura, wondering if it was okay to say. Laura put her hand over her mouth to conceal what Anna could only assume was a smirk. She was going to receive no help from her.
“It’s the remains of someone from long ago. When the abbey was in use, we believe. We’re still waiting for the carbon dating. That’s something that tells us how old it was. And no, it wasn’t gooey.” Anna looked at her watch. “Sorry, I better be going. I promised Kat I’d be back in good time for dinner.”
She followed Laura downstairs, Abigail close at her heel.
“Thanks for coming,” Laura said as she held the front door.
“It’s been great catching up. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks. I look forward to meeting Katherine.”
Anna turned on the doorstep. “You’ll have to come for dinner. Kat loves cooking.”
“I’d like that, especially if it includes a full tour of Abbey House.”
