Page 69 of Lost in Love

Katherine left with the nurse, leaving Anna alone to fuss over her dad.

“I’m sorry, Dad. This is all my fault. I should have got up to help you or fitted a stair gate.”

He clasped her hand the best he could with his good arm. “There, there, it was just an accident. I lost my footing, that’s all. Could have happened to anyone.”

“But it didn’t, Dad, and now look at you.” Anna looked at all the machines he was plugged into. “You just get better and get back home with me, all right?”

He nodded. “Sure thing, love. I see the doc is back by your side?”

Anna pursed her lips. “Don’t read anything into it, Dad. She just gave me a lift, nothing more.”

A different nurse came and took some readings from the machines.

“How are you feeling, Harry?”

“All right. A bit tired.”

The nurse shot a look at Anna. “You were very restless in the night.”

“It’s more noise than I’m used to, people coming and going and prodding all night.”

The nurse smiled at him.

“I’ll go, Dad, and let you have a rest before you go down to the operating theatre. I’ll see you tomorrow maybe.”

“All right, love.”

She kissed Harry on the head and squeezed his hand, trying hard not to think of him lying helpless on a metal table in a few short hours. “Don’t you boss the nurses about.”

Harry chuckled, and Anna backed away, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time she saw him.

She found Katherine in the corridor reading a notice board.

“That was quick.”

“He was tired.”

Katherine nodded. “Let’s get you home. You look tired out too.”

Anna stared out the window of the car as they drove. Hospitals were tiring places; she felt exhausted and was dying for another shower.

“Is he going to be okay?” she asked, continuing to stare out of the window.

“Of course. It’s a very routine procedure these days, but with any surgery there are risks. Don’t worry, they know what they are doing.”

“How long until he’s out of hospital do you think?”

“Perhaps a week, all being well.”

“That gives me enough time to make a good start on sorting the house.”

“Sorting the house?” Katherine asked.

“Yes, you’ve seen it; it’s in a bit of a state. I’ll have to get the council to come and install a stairlift for him.”

“Anna, are you still…” Katherine shook her head and twisted her lips.

“What?”