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Grace tutted. ‘You don’t mean that.’ And then she considered the matter for a few seconds, remembering everything that happened when Granny Joy had stayed over. ‘Ah. Yes. I can see what you’re saying. But we’ll be prepared this time. Wait. Two or three weeks? Has something happened to her? She only lives a few minutes away, so why does she need to stay that long? Not that I mind.’
‘She … had a little accident in the kitchen,’ Pat said.
‘Like the one she had here?’ Grace asked, concerned both for Granny Joy’s safety and for the family.
‘And then some,’ said Hope. ‘She has managed to flood the entire ground floor of her house.’
‘Oh my God! Is she okay?’
‘Apart from one singed eyebrow, yes, thankfully,’ said Pat.
‘Singed eyebrow? I thought Hope said it was a flood.’
‘It was. But it happened last night and, although she was sensible enough not to turn on any lights as soon as she realised it was water, she lit a match and held it too close to her face.’ Pat shook her head.
‘Oh no!’ Grace said, tutting. ‘Why didn’t she phone and tell us right away?’
‘Because she was in shock, I suppose,’ Pat said. ‘She said she didn’t want to wake us! I was so cross. She went to her neighbour’s instead.’
‘Ronald? The retired fireman?’ Grace checked.
‘Yes,’ said Simon. ‘He called out his mates at the fire station and they went and sorted things out. They wanted to take her to the hospital to get her checked out but you know your granny. She refused to budge.’
Pat tutted. ‘And she told them not to call us because we’d only worry! She said she just needed a good night’s sleep so she spent the night at Ronald’s and phoned us when she got up. Which was just after you left.’
‘Why does everyone call when I’m out?’ Grace said, trying to make light of it all. ‘So she’s coming to stay with us today?’
‘Your dad and I are going to get her now,’ said Pat. ‘Hope is sorting out the event today, so now that you’re back, could you help with that? Or do you need to get back to the Betancourts?’
‘They can wait,’ Grace said. ‘I’m more concerned about Granny.’
‘It’ll be fine,’ said Simon. ‘I’ll just make sure we’ve got plenty of wine. And not just for Joy, but for us. I think we’ll need it.’
‘And I’ll hide the cards,’ said Hope. ‘And all the matches.’
‘I know it sounds funny but it’s not really,’ said Pat. ‘I think Mum might have the beginnings of dementia. Perhaps I should have a word with her doctor.’
‘Your mum has always been rather accident-prone,’ said Simon. ‘And she is in her eighties now. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.’
‘Say that when the house burns down around us,’ said Hope.
‘Perhaps you’re right,’ Simon said. ‘A quick chat with the doctor might put all our minds at rest.’
‘I hope she’s okay,’ said Grace. ‘The thought of her being unwell is pretty grim.’
‘As your dad, says,’ Pat said, squeezing Grace’s hand. ‘It’s probably just Mum being Mum.’
‘But what if it’s not? Should I tell the Betancourts that we might be able to organise the Mistletoe Dance but we can’t take on the festive decorating?’
‘Yes,’ said Pat. ‘No wait. I think we must, mustn’t we? We all know what Bianca’s like. A bad review from the Betancourts is the last thing we need. We’ll find a way to fit it in. If Griff said we can hire help, then that’s what we’ll do. I’m sure some of the villagers would be willing to lend a hand, especially if they were being paid. And there are always people looking for extra work at this time of year.’ Pat sucked in a breath and puffed it out. ‘Tell them we’ll do it. Assuming we can get hold of more decorations and lights, that is.’
‘Don’t they have any of their own?’ Hope queried. ‘Surely they must have a few?’
Grace shrugged. ‘I can ask. I know they did when Francesca was alive, but as Griff reminded me today, she’s been gone for twenty years. Can you believe it’s that long?’
Pat and Simon exchanged odd glances and Grace was about to ask why, but it had already been such a strange and confusing morning and what with the news about Granny Joy, Grace wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
Five
