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‘How about this one?’ I ask, digging one from the bottom. It looks perfectly green, and it has juice spots. I hold it out to him.
Becker takes it and gives it a quick inspection before tossing it aside. ‘Too soft,’ he spits. ‘For fuck’s sake.’
I smile my sympathy and turn, leaving Becker to sulk, set on getting another coffee. I find Mrs Potts directly behind me holding out the biggest, juiciest apple. Becker gasps his gratitude and reaches over my shoulder to snatch it from her palm. The crunch and the moan of pleasure are a welcome sound, and I smile at Mrs Potts, Becker’s gratification serving like an energy boost to my tired bones. I make to turn so my eyes can soak up the pleasure of him eating his favourite thing in the world, but something hovering past Mrs Potts catches my attention and holds it, and I blink, thinking maybe I’m hallucinating.
‘Mum?’ I say, frown lines making my forehead heavy.
‘Darling!’ She lunges forward and catches me in a fierce hug.
‘Found her banging on the entrance door of The Haven.’ Mrs Potts speaks up, tutting as she starts rummaging through her enormous carpet bag.
‘It was meant to be a surprise,’ Mum says in my ear. ‘A happy surprise but Mrs Potts told me about Becker’s granddad. I’m so sorry.’ She breaks away from me and gives me eyes full of sympathy, before turning them onto Becker.
I see Paul hovering awkwardly in the background, and I offer a small smile, exhaustion zapping the energy I thought I’d found.
‘Mrs Cole,’ Becker says through a mouthful of apple, not prepared to rush his medicine of choice, not even for my mother.
Mum dives at him, nearly causing him to choke. ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine,’ she tells him firmly as he smiles over her shoulder at me, curling his arm around her waist.
‘Yeah, he’s a tough old boot,’ Becker says quietly.
‘There’s a waiting room down the hall,’ I motion behind me. ‘Shall we?’
‘Yes, let’s.’ Mum signals for Paul to join us, and we all start to wander back to Mr H’s ward. Her face. It’s my kind of medicine, and I put my arm around her shoulder, cuddling into her side.
‘I’m glad you’re here, Mum,’ I say, and she reaches up to pat my hand, hushing me soothingly. I never once thought she’d venture out of Helston to come see me in the big city. Where are they staying? How long are they here? What are their plans?
‘Everything will be okay, I’m sure.’ She stops and gives my cheek a fond stroke, and I smile through my tiredness.
‘I hope so.’
‘It will,’ Becker affirms, dropping a kiss on my cheek, his eyes showing the first hint of a sparkle since we discovered Gramps in his office. ‘Mrs Cole.’ He offers an arm, and Mum accepts on a delighted smile, letting him lead on.
I follow behind Becker and Mum, watching as she chats, luring Becker in and even spiking a few laughs from him. My appreciation for her surprise visit grows. She’ll be a welcome source of comfort and support through this crappy time.
‘How are you, Eleanor?’ Paul asks, and I look up, straining a smile.
‘Tired,’ I admit as he falls into stride next to me.
‘I couldn’t stop her,’ he says, nodding towards my mother’s back. ‘I tried to convince her to call ahead, but she was adamant that she wanted to surprise you.’
‘She’s certainly done that.’ I laugh, just as we reach Mr H’s room and a shrill shriek from my mother rings through the corridor. The sharp sound makes my feet stutter to a shocked stop.
Mum has whirled around and is gawking at me, her eyes wide and bright, and Becker is nibbling on the core of his apple, smiling behind it. She swings back to him quickly, kissing a cheek. ‘With my sincerest blessing,’ she says, hugging him fiercely before returning her attention to me. ‘Oh, Eleanor,’ she sings, running forward and taking my hands.
I’m lost. ‘What?’ I ask, gauging Becker’s face again. He’s still smiling. It’s a beautiful, welcome sight, even if I haven’t the foggiest idea why he’s looking so pleased with himself.
‘A wedding?’ She throws her arms around me. ‘This is so exciting.’
Oh. More guilt grabs me. I want to be excited with her, but I’m just too bloody knackered at the moment. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘Oh, we have to plan.’ She holds me at arm’s length, her mind spinning into overdrive. I can literally see the ideas whirling around in her excited eyes. ‘Just as soon as Becker’s grandfather is better, we must plan.’
Paul steps forward and shakes Becker’s hand, firmly and manly. ‘Congratulations. You’re a very lucky man.’
‘Cheers. She’s quite lucky herself.’ Becker tosses me a little wink, and Paul laughs.
‘Oh, this is so wonderful,’ Mum gushes, turning her excitement onto Becker. He aims, fires, and his apple core lands neatly in a nearby bin. ‘Get that grandfather of yours better so we can really celebrate.’
