‘Are you there with her?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ He put the phone back in his pocket and turned to Liz. ‘I’ve got to go. Nan’s in hospital. They think it’s a heart attack.’
Liz gasped. ‘Of course you must go. I’ll finish up here. And I can do the function tonight too.’
‘Would you? That would be great. Sorry, I’m not much use to you at the moment.’
‘Don’t be daft, Jay. Family comes first. Especially your nan.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
The journey to the hospital was excruciatingly slow and all Jay could think about was how little time he’d spent with his nan recently. He prayed that she’d be okay and make a full recovery. He vowed he’d visit her more often. And he’d have to make more time for his mum as well. It had shaken him to hear how upset she’d sounded and was grateful that she’d let him know about Betty. After he parked the car and made his way to the main entrance, he phoned Mary so she could let him know where they were.
Betty had been given a bed in A&E and, when he’d been allowed through, the sight of his usually robust grandmother sitting in bed with an oxygen mask over an unusually grey face frightened him. She looked at least ten years older than when he’d last seen her and it suddenly dawned on him that she was an old lady. She’d always been such a powerhouse, he’d never thought of her as old, but he did now. He was struck with the horrible realisation that she wouldn’t be around for ever. When things had fallen apart with his mum, she’d been there for him. She was the one who had given him a stable and loving family life, the wings to find his way in the world and the support that encouraged him to achieve his ambitions. He didn’t know what he’d do without her and hoped he wouldn’t have to find out just yet. But he pinned a smile on his face and in a jovial voice said, ‘So what’s all this, Nan? Scaring us to keep us on our toes?’
She pulled down her oxygen mask. ‘It’s all a fuss about nothing. A sit-down in my favourite chair with a nice cup of tea and I’d have been as right as rain.’
‘Now, Mum...’ Mary put her hand over her mother’s. ‘The paramedics didn’t think that or they wouldn’t have brought you here. And while you are, it’s best to get you checked out.’
‘I suppose so, but it’s a waste of time if you ask me.’
A nurse carrying a plastic bowl containing needles and syringes opened the curtains around the bed.
‘Now, Mrs Green, we’d like to take some blood if that’s all right and then do an ECG so we can find out what’s going on with your ticker.’
‘All right, love, you just get on with what you need to do.’
‘We’ll sit outside and give you some privacy.’ Mary led Jay away.
‘Do you want me to get you a cup of coffee?’ his mum asked in the waiting room. ‘You almost look as grey as your nan.’
‘No, thanks. I don’t think I could stomach it. It’s been a bit of a shock, but I’m glad you phoned me.’
‘I didn’t know whether to or not, to be honest. I didn’t want to upset you in the middle of your competition, but I figured that if you were cooking you wouldn’t be able to answer your phone anyway. Besides, I didn’t think you’d forgive me if I didn’t tell you. You and Mum have always been so close. I’m glad you’re here, though.’
Her words came out in a rush and for a moment Jay couldn’t reply — there was a large lump in his throat. He swallowed a few times before speaking. ‘Naively, I always thought she’d be around for ever. Today has made me realise I shouldn’t have taken her for granted.’
‘Me too. She’s so independent, but maybe now’s the time we start taking more care of her.’
Jay laughed. ‘She won’t like that.’
‘No, she won’t, but perhaps she’ll get used to it. Over time.’
‘I’ll try to visit her more often. Although it’s not too easy at the moment.’
‘Mum says you’re doing really well in the competition. You seem to be smashing it.’
‘I keep getting through, that’s the main thing.’ He paused. ‘It shouldn’t be Nan telling you, though.’
‘She was only trying to keep me up to date.’ His mum looked anguished.
He quickly tried to explain. ‘What I meant was it should be me telling you, not Nan. I’m sorry, Mum, I seem to have wasted so much time. And all over a silly feud.’
‘You were hurt, love.’ She patted his arm. ‘And I can see why. I should have supported you more. I should never have let you go.’
‘The way I remember it, you couldn’t have stopped me,’ Jay said wryly. ‘But I was a child. I only saw things in black and white. Now that I’m older I can see the world in shades of grey.’
