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‘Morning.’ He comes over to the desk.
‘I won’t keep you a moment.’ She holds out the card reader. As I pay, I feel a flicker of disappointment that with the arrival of the old man, the moment has passed.
‘Thanks.’ I put my card away.
‘I hope you enjoy them!’ She smiles.
‘I’m sure I will.’ Watching her turn towards the old man, as I walk out, I feel my resolve strengthen. There’s something about her that draws me in. I might not have been quick enough off the mark today, but never mind. I’m not in a hurry. I can come back.
Late that afternoon, when I get to work, I go to check on Roxie.
‘I’m still here.’ She pulls a face when she sees me.
‘So I see.’ I study her. ‘How are you feeling? Is the new medication helping?’
‘A bit.’ A shadow crosses her face. ‘I don’t want to talk about my health, Jack. Let’s talk about something else.’
‘Your health is the reason I’m here,’ I say mock-sternly. ‘And by the way, I hope you haven’t been sneaking more bottles of Jack Daniels in.’
Lowering a hand, Roxie reaches under her bed, pulling out a bag and producing a bottle. ‘And before you tell me off, please note it is unopened.’
‘Good.’ I can understand anyone wanting to drown their sorrows, but the bottom line is, it doesn’t help.
Behind me, I hear the door open. Seeing Roxie’s eyes light up, I turn to see a woman standing there. A few years older than Roxie, I’m guessing, and the similarities between them are startling.
‘This is my sister.’ Roxie reaches her hand out towards her. Coming over, her sister takes hold of it. ‘Freya, this is Jack. He’s one of the nurses.’
‘Hi. It’s nice to meet you. I hope she’s behaving.’ Freya glances at her sister.
‘It’s nice to meet you, too. And in answer to your question, most of the time.’ I mean it humorously.
‘I can imagine.’ Freya rolls her eyes. ‘She doesn’t change.’
‘Excuse me, but will you please stop talking about me?’ Roxie sounds indignant. ‘Are you here to take me home?’
‘It isn’t up to me.’ Freya looks uncertain as she turns to me. ‘What do you think?’
‘If it’s what Roxie wants. And if you’re comfortable?’ I look at Roxie.
‘I’m groovy.’ Roxie glances at her sister. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
An anxious look crosses Freya’s face. ‘Are you sure?’
Roxie rolls her eyes. ‘Believe me. Jack would tell you if he was worried. He doesn’t believe in holding back.’ She passes me the bottle of Jack Daniels. ‘For you. On me.’ She blows me a kiss.
It’s good to see sassy Roxie back, but as her sister helps her gather her things together, I can see the effort it’s taking. Roxie is noticeably more frail. From the way she’s feeling her way around, I have a suspicion her sight is going, too.
I wait until Freya takes one of her bags out to the car before turning to Roxie. ‘Are you sure about this?’
Roxie’s silent. ‘Right now, I’m not sure about anything.’ With her sister out of earshot, she drops her guard.
‘How is your vision?’ I ask quietly.
‘Don’t miss a thing, do you, Jack?’ A tear rolls down her cheek. ‘Seeing as you mentioned it, it’s shit, thanks for asking.’
My heart goes out to her. ‘At home, will you be able to manage?’
‘Yes.’ Her voice is shaky. ‘I know where everything is. Anyway, they’ve drawn up a rota – I mean Freya, Paul, and whoever else they’ve roped in.’ She wipes her face. ‘It’s shit – all of this. But at the same time, in lots of ways, I know I’m lucky.’
