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She wouldn’t do it.
Besides, her job didn’t exactly allow for relationships. She moved around a lot, and when she was contracted to be with a patient, they became her world for a time.
Yaya was no differen
t.
The fact she had a very handsome grandson who seemed to find fun in flirting with Lauren was beside the point. She’d rebuff him as she had any sign of interest in the last few years. Lauren Monroe wasn’t interested in men.
“They’ll all be here soon.” Yaya couldn’t keep the excitement in her voice. Lauren lifted her eyes to the nurse across the room – Matilda – and smiled fondly.
“I think you’ve mentioned that.” It was a droll response as she styled Yaya’s hair into a silvery bun at the nape of her neck. “And you look beautiful.”
Yaya’s laugh was hoarse. “I look old and tired.” She lifted a hand to Lauren’s, her fingers papery and timid. “But that is what I am, so it’s okay.”
“You don’t seem tired today.”
There was a twinkle in Yaya’s eyes. “I’m excited.”
“Oh?”
“They used to come all the time – every week, just as things were when their grandfather was alive. But it’s been a long time since they were all here together. Since before.” She removed her hand, placing it in her lap. Only Lauren’s trained eye understood it was to hide a small tremor. Slight muscle weakness continued to plague Yaya, as a result of her stroke event
“They didn’t want to ‘tax’ me,” she said on a croaky laugh that spoke of disbelief. “As if seeing my family could be taxing.”
“Resting is very important for people who’ve had a stroke. I imagine they were just trying to help with your recovery.”
“Mmmm,” she made a harrumphing sound. “They’re my family. My boys. I can rest even while they are here.”
“Yes,” Lauren agreed with a short nod. Yaya’s eyes met hers in the mirror.
“You don’t think having them here is bad for me?”
“On the contrary,” she leaned down a little, her tone conspiratorial. “I think it will be very, very good for you.” Lauren took the handles of the wheelchair and began to guide it towards the door. Matilda moved to intercept but Lauren shook her head gently. Yaya had expressed a clear preference for Lauren’s company often enough that she knew it was easier to do as much of the simple tasks as possible, even when the nursing staff might have felt the jobs were within their remit.
“You’ll like my boys. I’ve had a place set for you between Luca and Gabe.”
Lauren’s hands stiffened a little on the wheelchair. “I won’t be joining you for lunch,” she said, careful to keep her voice warm and gentle.
“Oh, you must. I’ve told the kitchen to prepare for eleven of us – and the children.”
“Then they’ll have leftovers,” Lauren said with firm politeness. “I wouldn’t dream of intruding on a family event.” She pressed the call button on the elevator that had been installed shortly after Yaya’s stroke. The doors opened immediately. Once they were inside, she moved to face Yaya. “But,” she offered with a placating smile. “If it makes you happy, I will sit on the terrace with my book, so that you may call for me whenever you need.”
“I’m not worried about needing you, Lauren,” Yaya laughed. “I want you to be there.”
Lauren frowned. “But why?”
Yaya’s eyes narrowed and for a second, she reminded Lauren distinctly of Raf. There was something assessing and analytical in the depths of her gaze, something that sent a burst of warning and adrenaline through Lauren’s body.
“Because you should relax a little, have fun. Sit, eat, drink, talk, laugh. Enjoy. Take the afternoon and have a little fun with it.”
Lauren’s heart skipped a beat, first as Yaya’s perceptiveness but secondly with a sense of heaviness. It was a familiar response – one she felt whenever she reflected on what she’d lost when Thom died.
“They’re your family,” Lauren reminded Yaya with a soft smile. “Not mine.”
“Do you have a family?”
The doors pinged open. Lauren took the opportunity to move behind Yaya, putting her hands on the wheelchair and manoeuvring her out. “Yes, I have family.”
