Page 15 of Forgive Not Forget
They sat in silence whilst Mabel hummed to herself over the sound of the tap. Anna frowned at Katherine and twitched the side of her face. Katherine gave a slight shrug in response.
Mabel returned from the bathroom, squeezed the lid of Harry’s cup back on, and placed it in front of him. “That okay there? Can you reach it okay?”
“Perfect. Thanks, love.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to your visitors. I’ll see you at lunch, my love, and then perhaps we can finish that book this afternoon.” Mabel rechecked Harry’s blanket and then made for the door. “It was nice to meet you both.”
“And you,” Anna and Katherine replied together as Mabel left the room.
“A sore throat. I thought you were feeling better, Harry?” Katherine asked, covering a wry smile as she spoke.
“She likes to look after me, doc. We’re sort of going about together now, you know.”
Anna wasn’t entirely sure she did know. Katherine nodded as if she knew.Going about together.Was that older-person speak for going out with someone?
“Do you mean she’s your girlfriend?” Anna asked pointedly.
“Yeah, if you like, love.”
Anna sat back in her chair and tried to comprehend the concept of her dad having a girlfriend at his age. She opened her mouth to make a further enquiry until the glare she received from Katherine made her close it instantly.
“That’s nice, Harry,” Katherine interjected. “We’re pleased for you. Aren’t we, Anna?”
“Err, yes, of course,” was all the reply Anna could muster.
“Must be nice to have a bit of female company.”
“It is, and you want to know the best bit, doc?”
Anna blinked, unsure where the conversation was about to go.
“What?”
“She loves war films. Can you believe it?”
“Really?” Katherine laughed. “She sounds like the perfect woman.”
Anna could believe it a little less than Katherine could.
Harry coughed and Anna shot out of her chair.
He put his hand out to stop her. “I’m all right, love.”
“How are you getting on with your physio?” Katherine asked once he’d settled himself.
“I’m getting a full workout, doc, believe me. She’s a hard taskmaster.”
Katherine knew precisely how Harry was getting on. She had kept in touch with his physiotherapist, Holly, since he left the hospital at the new year, and had shared their conversations with Anna. During their last conversation, she’d said he wasn’t being particularly cooperative of late.
“You’re doing everything she said?” Katherine gave him one of her stern looks with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, it’s hard work, doc. She tires me out, and then I’ve got no energy for Mabel.”
Anna’s jaw dropped. “Dad!”
“Oh, not like that. I’m too old and decrepit for any of that business. She gets grumpy with me if I fall asleep during a movie.”
“For pity’s sake, Dad, sod — bloody Mabel,” Anna stuttered. “You need to do your exercises.”
