Page 16 of Forgive Not Forget
“Anna!” Katherine snapped in a firm voice. She sat forward in her chair and looked at Harry. “It’s important for your health that you do as Holly says, Harry, not just for your Parkinson’s. For your lungs too. The breathing exercises are essential for your recovery from pneumonia.”
“All right, Lucy. I’ll try and do better.”
Katherine looked at Harry and placed a hand on his. “I’m Katherine, Harry, not Lucy. She’s your carer.”
Harry nodded. His eyes flickered, confused.
“Dad, are you okay?”
“You look tired, Harry. Shall we leave you to it?” Katherine flashed Anna a stare.
Anna followed Katherine’s firm instruction and rose from her chair. She kissed Harry on the forehead as she always did.
“What the hell just happened?” Anna whispered the second she closed the door to his room.
“I’m sure he’s fine. I think he’s tired and became confused under pressure.”
“You don’t think he could have dementia or something? I’ve read it’s more common in Parkinson’s patients.”
“He just forgot my name,” Katherine said. She waved goodbye to the receptionist, and they exited into the car park. “Actually, we don’t even know if he forgot my name; Lucy’s just came out instead. Lucy is his primary carer; her name is on the tip of his tongue. I don’t think we can assume he has dementia because of that.”
Anna nodded with relief.
“Saying that… I don’t think we should rule it out either.”
Anna stopped in front of the car. “I’ve watched my dad being robbed of the use of his body. I…I don’t think I can watch him being robbed of his mind as well. What if he forgets who I am?”
“It’s unlikely to progress that far.”
“You mean he’ll die from Parkinson’s before he dies from dementia?” She pinched her warm, wet eyelids together.
“Hey.” Katherine reached out to her and pulled her into a hug. “Let’s not worry about anything until we have something to worry about, okay?”
Anna gave a nod to placate Katherine. She couldn’t simply turn her worry off. It wasn’t a tap.
“I’ll call Holly and Lucy tomorrow, just to mention it, see if they’ve noticed anything. I’ll drive.”
Anna sat in the passenger side without complaint. Katherine always insisted on driving when she knew Anna’s mind was preoccupied.
“I bet she doesn’t really,” Anna said, tapping the heated-seat button on the centre console.
“What?”
“Mabel. Like war films,” Anna clarified. “I bet she’s humouring him. What do you think she’s after? What has he got to offer that could be of value to her?”
“A sense of humour? Kindness? Friendship? I’m amazed you asked the question.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I really don’t, Anna. If Harry has found a bit of companionship, then who are you to object? Depression is a common long-term effect following pneumonia in the elderly. It’s more important than ever that he keeps good company… whilst also doing his physio.”
If Mabel thought she could replace her mother, she’d have to think again. When she’d squeezed her dad’s nose, as her mum often did, anger had caught Anna in her throat rendering her speechless. It had been difficult enough passing the responsibility of care for him onto someone else, but to see him lovestruck with a new woman had been a shock, one she’d had to contain out of politeness. What if Mabel tried to come between them or interfere in his care? Even Anna knew these were irrational thoughts, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept.
CHAPTER7
Katherine pulled the car up outside Abbey House to see Virginia stretched out on the doorstep. She and Anna pulled on the walking boots that were now housed in the back of the car. There was a time when she washed her boots after use and returned them to their designated position in the understairs cupboard, but Anna had been quick to point out that they would be best left in a box in the back of the car. With less time on her hands nowadays, she didn’t argue.
As they walked down the high street to the pub, Katherine slipped her hand into Anna’s and gave it a squeeze, receiving a squeeze in return. Their Sunday had become a routine of a morning visit to Harry, followed by a walk and lunch at the pub. It had been a ritual started over Christmas. The pub had been an inviting haven on a Sunday, with its log fire and tasty roasts.
