“So, if you can collect me around ten-thirty, that’d be great.” Ted shuffled his legs. “My knees can’t take these chilly winds.”
“You can’t get a taxi back?” Pippa fought a wave of annoyance. If this evening went the way she hoped, breaking off to collect a whisky-sodden old man would certainly put a dampener on things.
“A taxi?” Ted’s chin wobbled. “Not at them prices! I’ll text you when I’m ready. Oh, and I need to go to the consultant’s earlier on Thursday,” he went on. “Can’t be doing with these 4pm appointments, they’re too tiring. Before 11am, that’d suit me.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Pippa replied, knowing full well there wasn’t anything she could do. It was tough to get any appointments with this particular geriatric consultant so they had to take what they could get.
“Hmm.” Ted grunted suspiciously and Pippa clenched her fists at the show of ingratitude. He was old, she reminded herself, and it must be scary dealing with so much illness. Diabetes, osteoporosis … the impact of decades of hard outdoor graft had resulted in what felt like handfuls of daily medication and myriad appointments with a revolving cohort of consultants. She’d be grumpy too! Still, an occasional thank you would be nice. “I’ll be off then,” Ted said and with one final nod, he shuffled out.
“Call me if you need anything!” Pippa shouted after him, only to be answered by the slamming door. She let out a deep breath. Ted was ornery; everyone said it. But over the years, Pippa had noted his helplessness was usually carefully timed to suit him. Like, tonight, he was well enough to tackle the chilly evening to have a night out, but God forbid he take himself down to the pharmacy by himself or attend a check-up solo. She did wish Alex could play a larger role in Ted’s care. He always seemed to have a diary clash, even for last month’s colonoscopy, which Ted had been particularly anxious about. Honestly, talking to Ted about his gastric trials and tribulations had been excruciating to say the least. Pippa sighed. Alex simply had to participate more in the daily grind of his father’s care. She was genuinely happy to do her part and help, but juggling all the responsibilities was tough. And this wasbeforechildren!
Rising from the kitchen table, Pippa stretched, wincing at the crick in her neck. The house was always cold. No matter what tricks Pippa came up with, the house remained riddled with draughts. She reached for her cardigan, her tummy tilting when she heard the front door creak open.
“Only me!” Alex called.
“In the kitchen.” Pippa tried to keep her voice level, as if she wasn’t wondering which of Alex’s pockets the engagement ring was hiding in.
“There she is.” Alex’s broad shoulders filled the doorway and those dark eyes twinkled knowingly. “Another day of running the flippin’ world!”
“Yup.” Pippa’s heart felt bigger just at the sight of him. His smile was as rakish as ever, cheeky with promise and as sexy as the first moment she’d laid eyes on him. His long-lashed eyes twinkled at her like they always did, as if he was letting her and only her in on the biggest secrets life had to offer. She even loved the way Alex walked, a wide-legged swagger that spoke of his deep-rooted confidence in all areas of life. “How was the auction?” Alex had been over to Hull to check out a bankruptcy auction in the hopes of scoring a bargain. Pippa had drawn up a list of items they could use, along with suggested maximum bids.
“Ugh. A waste of time, really.” He slung his jacket over a chair and raked his hands through his neat dark hair. “It all looked so tatty. Ended up leaving a few minutes in and having a late lunch with Graham Cafferky – you remember him from school?”
“Yeah … barely.” As Alex prattled on about the steak he’d eaten, Pippa wished she hadn’t wasted all that time drawing up a wish list of bids. One of the lot items was a trailer listed for a steal of a price that would have been really useful. “The stuff looked to be in good nick in the catalogue. Are you sure it was that bad? Like, did you stay long enough to be sure?”
“I was there, wasn’t I?” He said with a frown. “And I’m telling you it was pointless. Rubbish.”
“Okay.” Pippa sighed with disappointment. “You should have called. Maybe I could have joined you for lunch.” They so rarely got to socialise together anymore outside of work. It didn’t seem fair that some old school friend she hadn’t thought of in years got the chance to share in a delicious steak with Alex whilst she slaved over boring accounts.
“I’m sorry, love,” Alex said lightly. “You’re so right. It was all very last minute. Besides, I knew you’d be busy, as ever. Dad okay?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Although he wants to change his doctor’s appointment next week.”
“He does hate those late afternoon sessions,” Alex said with a wince.
“Well, tough.” Pippa opened the mug cupboard. “It’s me that has to take him and I say it’s fine.”
Alex looked around. “Is he here?”
Pippa shook her head. “You missed him by seconds. He’s having pie and mash with the darts gang right now. Do you think you could pick him up around ten?”
“I’m beat!” Alex yawned. “Been driving all day it feels like. Don’t suppose you could do it?”
Pippa eyed the closed laptop, thinking of the books she’d balanced that day. “I’m pretty tired too,” she said. “But I suppose I could pop out to get him. He’s just down the road, after all.”
“What would I do without you?” Alex scooted up behind her and nuzzled her neck, the prickle of his stubble making her shiver in delight. It had been a long time since they’d had quality alone time and she was thankful Ted was out of the house. Maybe tonight they could finally have something more satisfying than an exhausted quickie in silence. At night, it was very difficult making love to the soundtrack of Ted’s cacophonous snoring and there was never any opportunity during the daytime. As Pippa returned Alex’s kisses, she caught sight of his jacket hanging on the chair. Was it her imagination or was that left pocket looking a bit bulky? Could there be a ring-box stashed in there? Alex pulled away and patted her bum. “I’m gasping, love. You couldn’t make us a cuppa?”
“The slave driving never stops.” Pippa reluctantly stepped out of his arms and turned on the kettle. “Anyway, speaking of parents, Mum was wondering when we could go and visit.”
Alex blinked. “She was? Did she say when?”
Pippa shrugged. “Whenever we can fit it in. They’re easy.” Guilt gnawed at her. It had been more than six months since she’d spent quality time with her parents.
“Planes to Florida are expensive.” Alex pulled a face. “When are they next coming here?”
“Not sure. But remember, they were here at the end of summer,” Pippa said. “They can’t always come to us; we have to make the effort for them too.”
“They were the ones who chose to retire abroad,” Alex said, pursing his lips.
