My heart had time for several painful, pounding thumps before she replied. ‘I was worried for Joan. I knew she didn’t have anyone else.’
‘You had no proof that she was drunk.’
‘Well, something was clearly not right.’
‘But still – as if Leanne didn’t have enough problems! She was terrified that her daughter might be taken from her. You have children; can you possibly imagine what that was like?’
‘My dear, I’ve worked as a family solicitor since before you were born. I don’t have to imagine. I also know all too well what it could have been like for Joan, with no one to help her.’
‘You could have asked me.’ A bubble of hot rage began expanding in my stomach, squeezing up against my diaphragm. ‘I’ve been looking after Joan most evenings after school and on Saturdays.’
‘And you were sure that nothing was wrong? That Leanne was a capable mother, there was nothing of concern going on?’
The bubble popped.
Pia studied my sudden deflation, before pulling out a hardbacked notebook and pen.
‘Shall we sort some rotas?’
‘Rotas?’
‘I’ve made a start with meals, taking Joan to visit her mother – trusted, DBS-checked people only, but hopefully we won’t need that one for long. Cleaning, washing, shopping. Is there anything else you need? Would it be useful to have some people walk Nesbit?’
‘I don’t… I’m not sure what… are you making rotas for people to help me?’
‘Well, of course. You’re the one doing all the work.’
‘Listen, that’s very kind of you, and I do appreciate it, but I really don’t need any help.I’mthe one helping Leanne. Once she’s discharged, I suppose someone else could chip in with some meals for her, but I’m fine.’
Pia actually laughed. She tried to hide it, but her face was like a pane of glass. ‘My dear,everyoneneeds help. That’s how life works.’
‘I’m actually kind of trying to manage without, at the moment. It’s complicated – family history, past issues, that sort of thing, but it’s important that I see this through on my own.’
‘Ollie, I have just been inside your kitchen. I’ve never drunk black tea in my life, but when I tried to add milk it plopped out in a perfect cube. Your trousers are on inside out. I’m pretty sure your dog has eaten a packet of crackers and vomited it back up again. You need help. We all need help, all the time. That’s why I pay for a cleaner and have just spent the week driving my grandchildren about. But sometimes, we need more help than others. This is one of those times.’
I shook my head. I had spent too many years being organised and bossed about and told that I couldn’t manage on my own, and all those memories were on red alert, determined not to let this pushy woman push her way into my home and my life and start controlling it.
Pia narrowed one eye. ‘I heard that social services are assessing the best options for Joan. Do you think you can convince them that you can provide her with the best possible care, like this? Insisting that you do it on your own?’
Ooof!
She might as well have punched me in the face.
I took a moment to recover, my conversation with Steph echoing amongst the frustration and anxiety. I glanced down at my trousers, which were indeed inside out.
‘Some meals would be very helpful. Just for the next week or so while we find our feet. Leanne is hoping to be home in the next few days, but if someone could take Joan to hospital on one or two of those, that would also be great. Once we’ve walked Nesbit, we’re going to have a big tidy up and a clean. Sunday we’ll do a food shop on the way back from the hospital. Thank you for telling me about my trousers. I was half asleep when you knocked and pulled them on in a hurry.’
‘Excellent. How about we swap numbers, and I’ll let you know who and what to expect when. And no problem about your trousers, but my son said he might have those chairs ready for you today. I didn’t want you to end up caught with your crotch hem on show.’
Before she left, Pia unloaded three shopping bags full of essentials like bread, milk and cake, along with a giant lasagne.
‘It’s not quite your standard, but better than a microwave meal.’
‘Thank you.’
Her face creased up again. ‘It’s the least I can do. If you don’t mind, I’ll take Joan to visit her mother when it’s next convenient. I feel I must speak to her in person.’
‘We were going to head over this afternoon. If you take Joan, I could stay and get the house straight.’
