Ginny got on with her task while keeping one eye on Will, not that she needed to. He had it all in hand, and Mrs Banks looked quite settled with him.
He turned Ginny’s way for a split second and winked, and Ginny found she too was quite settled in his company.
Chapter 11
Will
Will perused Ginny’s brown dungarees, forest-green jumper, and camouflage headscarf as she clambered into his truck. She certainly had the ability to make him smile, and the fact she’d agreed to go to Wales with him had made his whole year. ‘You got everything you need?’
Ginny nodded, rummaging around in her cloth bag. ‘Yep, think so.’ She looked up as he started the engine. ‘I’m sure there are shops in Pembrokeshire anyway.’
‘Ooh, I reckon we can find the odd one.’ He grinned as he pulled away from Harbour End Road.
It was early, and their stomachs were full, thanks to Ginny’s full English in the café.
‘How long does it take to get there?’ asked Ginny, placing her bag on the floor.
‘I normally average five and a half hours, which is why I like to set off early before the traffic starts to build.’
‘Wow, it doesn’t look that far away on the map.’
‘Nothing does in this country, but we have speed limits so . . .’
Ginny settled into the comfortable seat, and Will was pleased to see her looking so relaxed.
‘How’s your mum getting on?’ he asked, opting for some small talk to pass the time.
All night he had mentally compiled a list of subjects for their journey so they wouldn’t have any awkward silent moments. He questioned that decision immediately when he saw her hands clench into fists.
Ginny cleared her throat, then smiled weakly. He was starting to recognize her fake smiles. ‘She’s okay. We’re stillwaiting to get her into a care home. How’s Babs getting on in hers?’
Seeing his grandmother was on his to-do list as soon as he got back, as he didn’t like to leave it too long in between visits, trying his hardest to see her most days. ‘She seems okay, you know, considering.’
‘Dementia is terrible for everyone involved, isn’t it? It’s just so cruel.’
Will nodded. He wished he’d found Babs sooner and built a relationship. She hadn’t had a lucid moment with him since she went into the home, so it was tricky for him to form any kind of bond. ‘She’s well taken care of though. It’s a lovely place she’s in.’
‘Oh, what’s it like?’
‘It’s a big place. Newish building. There are about eighty residents, and they each have their own room with an en suite.’
‘Ooh, that sounds nice. Hopefully my mum’s one will be similar.’
‘I’m pretty pleased with the set-up they have. They have security cameras and a lot of staff working at all times, so that’s good. I know it’s a tough gig being a care worker, so it’s helpful when there are more hands on deck.’
‘I don’t feel so bad now about putting my mum in one.’
Will glanced her way for a second before turning back to the road. ‘Have you been stressing?’
Ginny scoffed. ‘I’m always stressing.’
‘It’s a difficult decision. With Babs, it was already happening before I arrived, so I didn’t have to do anything. Marie, that’s her carer, arranged the lot. She’s worth her weight in gold, that one.’
‘They didn’t move Babs far, did they?’
Will shook his head. ‘No. It’s just on the border of Port Berry and Penzance.’
Ginny sighed. ‘There was talk of a place for my mum over in Dorset. I’m not sure how much choice we have when it comes to the council paying. I’d like to keep her in Cornwall.’
