The Happy Family by Jackie Kabler (electric book reader txt) 📕

now. But, well, she’s back, Dad. Last night. She just … appeared on my doorstep. It’s mad and it’s a long story, but … well, she’s here, now. Can I bring her in, just for a minute?’

He’s staring at me, frowning. He has deep creases around his eyes and his lips are dry and cracked.

‘Mum? Alissh?’

He slurs the name but he’s clearly understood.

‘Yes, Alice. She’s here, Dad.’

He stares at me for another moment, then his eyes close again. The room smells of disinfectant and over-bleached sheets. I reach for his hand. It’s so thin I can feel every bone.

‘Dad? I’m going to bring her in, just for a minute. Then we’ll let you rest. Is that OK?’

I whisper the words, leaning in close to his ear.

‘Mmmm,’ he says again. He doesn’t open his eyes. I turn back to the door and wave.

‘Come in,’ I say.

She’s leaning against the wall just outside, her face tight and pinched. She takes a few steps into the room and then stops.

‘Are you sure?’ she whispers. ‘I don’t want to make things worse. I don’t want to upset him. Are you sure about this?’

I nod. I have no idea if I’m doing the right thing. No idea at all. But if Dad dies and Mum was here, so close, and they didn’t get to speak, to be in the same room just one last time after so many years …

‘Come on,’ I whisper back. ‘Sit here.’

I slip my hand gently from Dad’s and stand up, moving aside so she can take my place. She swallows.

‘John? John? It’s me. Alice. Can you hear me?’

‘Mmmm.’

His voice is weaker now but he opens his eyes again, even that small movement looking like an effort. He blinks, clearly trying to focus on her face, and my throat tightens.

How must he feel, seeing her again? Seeing the woman who broke his heart so long ago, who walked out and left him with a little girl to raise alone. Who made his life so very, very hard for so many years. Was it a mistake, bringing her here?

‘Mmmmm.’

This time it sounds like a groan of frustration. He’s squinting, his face contorted. Mum turns to me with a look of panic.

‘What is it? What’s he trying to say?’

I take a step closer.

‘It’s his eyesight,’ I say. ‘Lean in a bit closer so he can see you. He’s just trying to focus on your face, don’t worry.’

She turns back to the bed, shuffles the chair closer and leans forward.

‘John? Is this better?’ she whispers.

He’s still squinting, and then, quite suddenly, his face relaxes.

‘Shtill … shtill got tat,’ he says.

‘What? Sorry, John …’

I’m puzzled for a moment, and then I get it. I actually laugh out loud, relief flooding over me.

His brain can’t be too badly affected if he’s recognised that.

‘He said you’ve still got your tattoo, Mum! He’s remembered it, even now. That’s … that’s amazing.’

She sits back in her chair, rearranging the neckline of her jumper which had dipped when she leaned closer to Dad, covering the tattoo again.

‘Oh!’ she says. ‘That’s … well, that’s good, isn’t it? That’s …’

Her voice cracks, and a tear slips down her cheek.

‘I’m sorry,’ she says. ‘I’m so sorry. And I’m saying that to him, as well as you, Beth. I’ll never stop being sorry for what I did to both of you. If I could turn back the clock, if I could change things …’

She sobs and buries her face in her hands. I look at Dad, but his eyes are closed again, his breathing slower and deeper. Asleep, I hope.

‘It’s OK, Mum. I know. He knows. Come on, let’s go. Let’s leave him to rest,’ I say.

As I manoeuvre the car out of its space and look for the exit signs, she turns to me.

‘Can I buy us a takeaway or something on the way home, to save you cooking? I mean, the kids are staying with Jacob tonight now after all, aren’t they?’

They are. I rang him shortly after we arrived at the hospital and he agreed that it’s best if they stay where they are tonight, just in case. And I really don’t feel like cooking. It’s been quite a day.

‘Yes,’ I say. ‘There’s a fish and chip place just down the road. We’ll stop there. Good idea. Thanks, Mum.’

‘Great,’ she says. ‘And don’t worry. John’s tough. He’ll come through this, you wait and see.’

She reaches out a hand and pats my knee, and instantly I feel a little better. I’m still a little jittery after thinking I saw Mike still following me, earlier, but things could be so much worse. My dad might be sick, but he is tough and he’ll rally. And my mum is back. She’s back. And we’ll get through this together, won’t we?

Chapter 12

‘I can’t find my keys. Where are my bloody car keys?’

I’m rummaging frantically through the pile of envelopes and fast-food delivery leaflets on the hall table. I’m sure I left my keys here when we got back from the hospital last night but they seem to have vanished and I should have left for work fifteen minutes ago, so I’m starting to panic. I have so much to do today, and I need to go and see Dad at lunchtime too. I haven’t even called the ward yet to see how he is this morning, and …

‘Oh for goodness’ sake, where are they?’

Exasperated, I stomp into the kitchen. There’s every possibility that in my current distracted state of mind I’ve put the damn keys somewhere ridiculous, and I rush from microwave to mug cupboard, scanning their interiors and swearing under my breath. Robin, who arrived twenty minutes ago because I completely forgot to call her last night to tell her the kids would be staying with Jacob and therefore she wouldn’t be needed for the school run this morning, watches me with a bemused look on her face.

‘Erm … aren’t your keys more likely to be in your handbag, or on your