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“And you agree with her?”
Lauren’s expression didn’t change but there was something in the depths of her eyes that showed a shift in mood, a jolt, a shock.
“I –,” she turned away from him, tidying once more, but her movements were no longer like a ballet. Instead, her hands were heavy and stiff.
He waited, watching.
“I think it’s wise to be prepared for any eventuality.”
“But surely she has to believe in her recovery if she stands any chance –,”
“Your grandmother has an outlook of which I approve wholeheartedly.”
“And that is?”
“To take each day as it comes.” Lauren moved towards the door, but before leaving, turned to face him once more. “None of us knows we’re going to wake up in the morning, but we all proceed on the basis we will.”
“A cheery thought,” he couldn’t help drawling, but inside a small part of him was grappling with her words and the impending reality he was being forced to face.
“I’m not here to bring cheer.”
“No?”
“I’m here to bring comfort.”
“To Yaya?”
“To Yaya, to you, her family.” She swallowed, so the fine column of her throat shifted delicately. “This is a difficult time, but the priority is making it easier for Yaya.”
“And you do that?”
“I hope so.”
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully and then he was walking towards her, gesturing for her to precede him through the door.
“Why?”
“Why? You don’t think she deserves –,”
He shook his head. “Why do you do this, as a vocation?”
“Oh.” She stepped into the corridor and began to move towards the sweeping stairs. “Someone has to.”
“But why you?”
He could see the hesitation on her face; she didn’t want to answer. Rafaello Montebello though was not a man to be ignored. “I lost someone important to me.” The words were brittle, and her eyes showed surprise – surprise that she’d said as much? “I learned a lot about how we deal with that. I found I have a – gift – for supporting people at this time. It’s not something I chose, Rafaello, but it’s something I feel I need to do.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “And it takes a toll on you?”
She was withdrawing from him, though, looking cool and stiff all over again. “I’m grateful to be able to help at times like this.”
“You think she’s going to die?”
“We’re all going to die.”
“Imminently?”
Lauren’s eyes were, briefly, awash with something like pain. “I can’t say for sure. I hope not.”
