‘Of course not. Oh God, she was seeing the doctor this week. I hope it’s not bad news. Do you think I should come with you?’
‘No point cancelling your dinner party. I’ll call you if it’s anything serious. Otherwise I’ll catch up with you Sunday evening when I get back.’
Grace’s work colleague, Jan, caught her eye as she replaced the receiver. ‘Problems?’
‘I hope not. I need to go to Suffolk this weekend to see my grandmother. She didn’t sound too good.’
‘You’re lucky to still have her around but it’s difficult when they get older, isn’t it? My grandma was evil the last few months she was alive.’
She chuckled reminiscently and Grace smiled. ‘Luckily Gran’s not like that. She’s great. She brought my sister and me up, and I sometimes think she knows us better than we know ourselves. But she’s not been too good recently and she is getting on a bit now.’
‘Where does she live?’
‘Just outside Cambridge.’
‘I nearly applied for a job there once – at Addenbrooke’s hospital? Should have taken it – I bet they don’t have the same staffing problems we do.’
Mention of Addenbrooke’s plucked at Grace’s unease. ‘I hope she’s all right. I don’t know what I’d do if it was something serious.’
But as events turned out, she never got to find out what it was her grandmother had to say.
‘Elizabeth has had a massive stroke,’ the young doctor at the hospital told them later that day when she and Lynette rushed to Cambridge after the emergency call. ‘We don’t hold out much hope for her, I’m afraid. We’re doing everything we can to help her but she’s in a bad way.’
Grace’s eyes fixed on him anxiously. ‘Where is she? Can we see her?’
‘Of course, come with me.’
He led the way along the main corridor and opened a door. ‘We’ve made her as comfortable as we can but be aware she can’t speak. She probably won’t even know you’re here.’
In the stark little side room Grace tried not to be too intimidated by the host of drips and tubes being fed into her grandmother. But as she looked down at her, she felt a stab of panic so sharp she could scarcely breathe. They were going to lose her, this rock of a woman who’d been their anchor for the last fourteen years – and there was nothing they could do to stop it. She looked so pale, so lifeless, lying there like that – almost like she’d died already.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, drawing a limp hand into her own – as if by stroking it she could infuse some energy back into the inert body. ‘Hi, Gran,’ she whispered, ‘Lynne and I are both here.’
She smoothed the fine white hair off her grandmother’s brow. Her eyes were closed now, but they didn’t need to be open for Grace to remember the bright blue of them – sometimes twinkling with humour, sometimes showing her displeasure; always filled with love.
‘I know you can’t talk at the moment but you’re not to worry, the doctors are working really hard to get you fighting fit again.’
Feeling the slightest twitching in the frail hand lying in hers, Grace’s grip tightened.
‘I felt that, Gran. You can hear me, I know you can. You’re going to be fine. Just rest now … get your strength back.’
As the afternoon drifted on, the two sisters sat by her bedside talking quietly to each other. The monotonous bleeping sound of the monitor was grating on Grace’s nerves and she knew it would be etched on her memory for ever more as her grandmother seemed to slip slowly away from them.
‘She’ll be all right, Lynne, won’t she?’ she asked desperately, turning to her older sister. ‘I can’t bear the thought of losing her.’
‘I hope so, but … you know, if she isn’t – we have to console ourselves that at least she’ll be joining Grandpa. How many times has she said that? I know he’ll be waiting there for me, right as rain.’
She spoke in a little old-granny voice that brought a flicker of a smile to Grace’s mouth. It was true. Their grandmother wouldn’t be sorry to go.
At around tea-time Lynette looked at her watch. ‘One of us should get back to Gran’s and help Leo sort the kids out.’
‘You go,’ Grace said. ‘I’ll stay and get a cab back later.’
She was remembering how their mother had died anonymously with none of her family around her. That wasn’t going to happen to their grandmother if she had anything to do with it. She’d stay all night if necessary.
‘Don’t call a cab,’ Lynette said standing up and gathering her belongings. ‘Just ring and either Leo or I will come and get you.’
‘Okay. Give Ellie a kiss for me. Tell her I’ll call her before she goes to bed.’
After her sister had gone, Grace sat down in her chair and stared unseeingly out of the window.
Her grandparents had stepped in without a moment’s hesitation when her parents had been killed in a moped accident in Amsterdam – and they’d never once complained about the massive upheaval having a teenager and a nine-year old thrust upon them must have made to their lives. Their father had been killed outright but their mother had been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery and had died later on the operating table. It had bothered Grace a lot, imagining how her mother must have felt in a strange country – possibly even knowing she was dying – and having no one she knew with her, to comfort her.
She squeezed her grandmother’s hand and leaned closer. ‘Get better, Gran. We need you,’ she whispered.
The change in the sound and speed of the monitor was something that would live with her for the rest of her life as her eyes focused on the zigzag lines in alarm. They were completely erratic now compared to the steady pattern she’d become used to and her grandmother’s face was contorted, as she seemed to be struggling for breath.
Jumping up from her chair Grace raced out into the corridor. ‘My grandmother –’ she cried out to a passing nurse. ‘Please …’
The nurse hurried into the room. Elizabeth’s breathing had changed again, becoming shallow and rasping.
‘I don’t think it will be long now,’ the nurse whispered quietly, switching off the alarm and pressing the emergency button. ‘But we’ll get the doctors to have a look at her.’
It was only a few seconds before the door opened and the SHO who’d spoken to them earlier rushed in with a nurse in tow. Grace stood back, doing her best to fight off the panic.
‘What’s happening?’
No-one answered. When the doctor turned to face her, his expression was sombre. ‘I’m sorry, but she’s going.’
‘There must be something you can do?’
He shook his head regretfully. He probably wasn’t that much older than her, she thought, yet he dealt with this sort of thing every day.
‘The stroke was massive, I’m afraid. I know it’s hard but it’s probably better this way. It’ll be peaceful though, so don’t worry about that.’
Grace looked down at her grandmother. It seemed he was right. Although her breathing still rattled, she was calmer.
The doctor gave her a minute, then said. ‘We’ll call your sister for you. Will you be okay on your own or would you like someone to sit with you?’
Grace floundered. But it was almost as if her grandmother was there, guiding her – giving her the strength she needed to do this. She didn’t want a stranger sitting with her.
‘I’ll be all right.’ she said.
‘Just press this button if you need anything.’
At the door he turned. ‘You know, I don’t know if it’s true but someone told me once the hearing is the last thing to go. Just keep talking to her.’
She resumed her position by the bed and took her grandmother’s hand tightly in her own. When she knew she had herself under control she started to speak.
‘It’s a beautiful evening outside, Gran. The sun’s a huge bright ball in the sky, and it’s just starting to go down. You’d love it if you could see it. And there’s a tree laden with blossom just outside your window
with a robin sitting on it. Did I tell you that Ellie and I have put a robin’s nesting box out on our balcony? It’s for some nature project she’s doing at school but we haven't had any takers for it yet.’
She looked at the gnarled hand lying in hers, remembering how dexterous it had once been as her grandmother had engrossed herself in her embroidery, or tackled the latest hair fashions that the girls had loved to experiment with.
‘French plait?’ she’d muttered exasperatedly, tugging at Grace’s hair. ‘What the devil’s wrong with an English one, I’d like to know? Much easier to do.’
But her words had been softened with a smile and within a few days it had been yet another task she’d competently mastered.
‘I’ve got so many wonderful memories of my childhood, Gran,’ she said softly. ‘The walks we used to go on where you’d tell me stories about Mum and Dad so I wouldn’t forget them – all the things you did for us without ever complaining. You do know how much Lynette and I love you, don’t you?’
And as her voice drifted on and the last of the evening sun filtered brightly through the window, Elizabeth Harper slipped silently from this world into the next – unable to warn her granddaughter of the terrible thing she’d done.
CHAPTER FOUR
‘Notes for Mr McKenzie?’
Grace looked up and groaned as the medical records clerk wheeled another huge pile of notes into their office. Why was it that when you needed to ask for time off, it was always the worst possible time? The office was chaos as usual and they were so short staffed.
Glancing up, she caught a flash of white coat as her boss passed the door in the direction of the coffee machine.
She jumped up from her desk. Might as well tackle him about it now. She smoothed her hands over her skirt and was just about to take her first step, when the phone rang for the hundredth time. Puffing out her frustration, she sat down again and picked it up.
‘Mr. Mackenzie’s office…’
‘Grace? It’s Lynette.’ Her sister’s voice was sombre. ‘The funeral’s fixed for two o’clock on Thursday. Is that okay with you?’
‘Yes, fine. I haven’t had a chance to clear it with Richard yet and Thursday’s his clinic day, but they’ll just have to manage. I’m sorry to have left you with all the arrangements.’
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m owed tons of holiday, and it’s been good to feel I’m doing something useful. Leo’s mum said she’d be happy to look after Ellie with my two at our place by the way, so that’s sorted. I’m heading back up to Grandma’s first thing Wednesday morning, so if you could maybe come up Wednesday night, it would be good to have some time together before the funeral?’
‘Definitely. But are you sure Leo’s parents are alright about looking after Ellie?’
‘Yeah, they’re fine with it …’
Grace sighed. ‘One of these days I’ll get round to paying you and Leo back for all you’ve done for me.’
She hesitated, an anxious note creeping into her voice as she put into words the fear that had been niggling for the last couple of days.
‘You don’t think Rory will turn up?’
‘No … why should he? I doubt he’s even heard she’s died. They hardly mixed in the same circles.’
‘You’re right.’
‘One of these days that bastard will pay for what he did. And I hope I’m around to see it. You should let Leo go and sort him out. He wouldn’t need asking twice, believe me.’
Grace couldn’t help smiling at the thought of her mild-mannered brother-in-law laying into Rory.
‘Tempted as I am by the prospect of seeing your hubby swing into action on my behalf, my one desire in life, as you know, is to stay well clear of the man. And Leo having a pop at him is hardly going to help achieve that end. So thanks, but no thanks. I’ll speak to you tonight.’
Hanging up, she surveyed the huge pile of notes that had been dumped on the floor in the corner. They were nearly two weeks behind with their clinic typing – and she was about to ask for time off.
She looked up as Stuart, their Registrar, walked into the office.
‘Look at that lot,’ she sighed, shaking her head.
He looked at the enormous piles in horror. ‘Can’t you get some help in here? This is ridiculous.’
‘No money apparently – they’ve put a freeze on temps. And I need to ask for Thursday and Friday off for Grandma’s funeral. I’m not going to be popular.’
He moved round so that he was standing directly behind her and lightly massaged her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry I can’t come with you,’ he murmured against her hair. ‘I know it’s going to be difficult for you.’
She let her head lean luxuriously back against his chest and gave a sigh.
‘I’m sorry, too – but I do understand. It’s sod’s law that it clashes with your big op.’
She tilted her head to squint up at him. He was an attractive man – tall, with sandy hair and a permanent twinkle in his blue eyes that reflected the easygoing humour that was so popular with his patients. She was glad she’d finally agreed – on Lynette’s urging – to go out with him. But it hadn’t been an easy decision.
‘What are you so worried about?’ her sister had pressed gently when Grace had finally confided in her.
‘Oh, I don’t know. The whole getting involved thing, I suppose – and the sex if we ever get to that.’
‘Grace, it’ll be fine. Just take it slowly one step at a time.’
‘I just don’t know that I can be bothered.’
‘Of course you can. It’s a date – you don’t even need to go on a second one if you don’t want to. It’s about time you dipped your toes in.’
They’d gone to the cinema at the Clapham Picturehouse for that first date, and after that they’d headed for an Italian restaurant close by.
‘You look great,’ Stuart said, taking in the shiny, chestnut-coloured hair hanging loosely around her shoulders, the white shirt tucked neatly into jeans and tapered Armani jacket.
She didn’t tell him the whole outfit was from TK Max.
He held the restaurant door open for her and the buzz of animated conversation hit them full on.
‘It’s lively as you can see, but the food’s good. I hope you like it,’ Stuart said as they followed a waiter to their table.
His manner as they’d talked was flatteringly interested. He wanted to know all about her and when she’d finished speaking, was only too happy to fill her in on his own, rather less complicated, background.
It was only as they were coming to the end of the meal that he cautiously touched on the subject of Ellie.
‘How old is she?’
‘Nearly five. She’s just started school. I don’t know where the time’s gone.’
‘What about her father? I mean – don’t answer if you don’t want to, but is he around? I’ve never heard you mention him.’
‘No.’ Grace could feel herself tensing and hated that she did that.
‘It can’t be easy for you bringing her up on your own?’
‘Understatement of the year,’ she said, relaxing a little. ‘But I’m not complaining. I’m lucky. I have a very supportive family. It’s hard sometimes though, trying to juggle work if she’s not well.’
‘I’d like to meet her some time.’
Stuart’s blue eyes as they stared into hers were serious. ‘I think if I’m going to get to know her mother better, then we’d better make sure that I come up to scratch in her eyes too.’
He smiled and suddenly Grace knew it was going to be all right. There was something intrinsically safe about Stuart, with none of the highly charged emotions she’d always felt around Rory.
And when finally they’d made love that had been fine, too. He was a patient lover and it was almost as if he’d known he had to take things slowly and not rush her; caressing her body tenderly, teaching her to relax and enjoy the gentle and pleasurable sensations he aroused in her.
And if sometimes she wondered
if he wasn’t perhaps a little too controlled … a little too measured, she chided herself for being contrary. Life was good. She was a lucky woman. Thank God she’d managed to break free from Rory and his manipulative family. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about.
‘I’ll only be gone a couple of days,’ she said to Stuart now as he stopped massaging her neck and straightened up. ‘I’ll be back Friday evening. You can cook me and Ellie supper if you like?’
‘Your place or mine?’
‘Mine. I’ll leave the key in the usual place. And maybe – if you’re really good – I might even let you stay over.’
He raised a stunned eyebrow at her. ‘That is a step forward in our relationship. Can I have it in writing?’
‘No you can’t. Now push off. Some of us need to get on with our work – and I need to speak to Richard about my leave.’
She watched him go, thinking how much her life had improved in so many ways these last four months they’d been together. He’d restored her faith in men, and their relationship was growing stronger every day. She wished now that she’d told her grandmother about him. It would have made her happy to know she’d met a nice man and that things were finally on the up.
CHAPTER FIVE
Wednesday evening was a rush as Grace raced over to Lynette’s house in Balham to drop Ellie off before heading to Cambridge.
It was pouring with rain when she stood on the doorstep taking her leave, and she flicked her umbrella up.
‘Thanks so much for looking after her,’ she said to Carol, her sister’s mother-in-law.
‘You’re very welcome, she’s no trouble at all poor little mite – I know it’s difficult for you, being just the two of you. And now with your grandmother gone too …’
Grace liked Carol but she couldn’t help feeling defensive when she said things like that – as if to highlight the fact that Ellie had no father and was therefore deprived.
Shadow Watcher, A Romantic Suspense Novel Page 2
