AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good morning, are you Kate?”
“Yes, I am, pleased to meet you.” Kate held out her hand, and the woman shook it. Kate warmed to her wide smile and kind eyes immediately.
“I’m Rissa, and this is Jeff.”
The man reached forward and shook Kate’s hand. If she hadn’t been warned, Kate would never have guessed he was ill. The only clue was how thin he was, but for all she knew he was like that before. His skin was tanned and his sky-blue eyes twinkled when he smiled.
“Come in,” said Kate, stepping aside to let them pass. “I hear you’re originally from Bodmin?”
“Yes, I was born three doors that way,” said Jeff, pointing in the direction of his old house. His voice was soft, with a hint of a rasp.
“This will be a real trip down memory lane for you, then.”
“Yes, I couldn’t believe it when I saw your listing. It’s exactly where we wanted to be. Thank you for accommodating us at such short notice.” Rissa’s voice was deeper than her husband’s and had a singsong lilt hinting at a long buried Indian accent. Her thick glossy hair sat pinned against the back of her head and a trace of red accentuated her smiling mouth.
“To be honest, it’s such a quiet time of year there was no problem fitting you in. I’m pleased the rooms are being used. I still can’t get used to having all this space to myself.”
“You’ve not been here long?”
“A few months. My grandmother lived here before me.”
“What was her name?” asked Jeff.
“Moira Trenain, did you know her?”
“Not that I recall, but I was only nine when we moved away. I’ll ask Mum and Dad when I next speak to them.”
“Great. Why don’t I show you to your rooms?”
“Thank you.”
Kate needn’t have worried about the stairs, as Jeff took them with the nimbleness of a much younger man. Rissa took their bags, though, and Kate noticed Jeff didn’t put up a fight. As she led them upstairs, she found herself offering them the use of the kitchen and her living room. It wasn’t what she’d usually do, but something about this couple put her at ease, and if anything, she’d like to spend some time with them.
“This is all so wonderful. Thank you,” said Rissa, after Kate gave them the tour.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll leave you to settle in, and if you need anything, I’ll be downstairs.”
*
As soon as their host left the room, Jeff flopped down onto the bed. Rissa understood his need to keep up appearances. It was a matter of pride, but she also knew how much the pretence exhausted him. She fetched him a glass of water and propped some cushions behind his back.
“There, feeling better?”
Jeff gripped his wife’s hand and looked at her with his beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve become such a burden to you lately.”
“You will never be a burden, my love.In sickness and in health, those were our vows.”
Jeff leaned forward and kissed his wife. They’d been kissing more since he’d been ill than they ever had before. It was as if he needed to make up for the years he was too distracted by work to give her the attention she deserved.
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know, but remember what we said? Live for the moment. At this moment we are together, that’s what matters.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Now do you want to rest, or take a stroll into the town?”
“I can rest when I’m dead,” said Jeff, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
