Amanda burst out laughing. ‘You all just start clubs for the hell of it, I swear.’
Janet giggled. ‘It’s just an excuse to get together, really.’
Janet looked around the room and adjusted the reading lamp next to Diana’s chair.
‘I think we’re done,’ she said.
‘I think we are, except for hanging this. Then it will be ready for Diana to come home.’
Amanda looked at the work they had done and knew it was beautiful and homey but would Diana like it? What if she didn’t want to come back to the house? What if she felt she was being treated like a child? The fears and worries had plagued Amanda for the last week but it was too late now. It was done. She would just have to see what Diana thought when she arrived.
42
Diana
Diana was waiting in her room at the rehabilitation ward, her bags packed by the staff and her walking stick by her side. She had made a deal with the physiotherapist that she could return to her walking stick if her gait improved and she did extra leg exercises and hydrotherapy twice a week.
Diana hadn’t wanted to admit to anyone that her walking was better than before the stroke. She had built up some muscle and strength, and despite her protestations, she had eaten more regularly than she did at the gatehouse.
But today, despite her new-found strength and apparent recovery, she was nervous about returning to the gatehouse.
Amanda had been a source of joy through the last weeks but she would be at the manor and Diana alone at the gatehouse. It was depressing to think about but she would do her best, as she always did.
‘Hello.’ Amanda knocked at the open door as she came inside. ‘I have a surprise for you,’ she said.
‘Oh? I don’t ordinarily like surprises,’ Diana stated, but looked around to see what Amanda was referring to.
‘I found something in the garden,’ she said.
‘Go on,’ said Diana, her interest piqued at mention of the garden.
‘This funny gnome fellow, he was down by the pond,’ Amanda said, and Simon stepped around the doorframe.
Diana gasped. ‘Well, well, well, look who has come back to finish the job he promised to do. Kind of you to return,’ she said, but she couldn’t help but smile at him.
Simon came and crouched at her feet. ‘I’m sorry, Diana, I had some things I had to sort out. But I’m back now – for Amanda, for you and for Moongate.’
Diana gave a small nod and leaned and whispered into his ear: ‘I hope you will stay now, not for the garden but for Amanda. She loves you.’
Simon looked up at Diana. ‘I’m staying, for her and for me. I’ve never been as happy as I am at Moongate.’
Diana patted his shoulder. ‘Good boy. Now let’s go. I’m tired of being here.’
Simon picked up her bags and Amanda stood by to assist, but Diana was confident on her feet.
‘Apparently my core is that of a much younger woman,’ she said to Amanda as they walked down the hallway and said goodbye to all the staff. ‘They will be sad I’m gone. I’ve been a delight to care for.’
‘I’m sure,’ said Amanda with a broad smile.
They walked outside and found Simon waiting at the front in his car.
‘An Audi?’ Diana noted. ‘I assume you remedied your business issues with your ex-partner?’
‘Yes, I did,’ said Simon, as he helped Diana into the front passenger seat and Amanda slipped into the back seat.
‘Time for home,’ Simon said, and Diana felt the nerves rise again.
It felt good to be outside though, Diana thought. ‘I can’t wait to see Trotsky. Has he missed me?’ she asked.
