Page 90 of Lost in Love

“I can’t promise I won’t surprise you or treat you to things; it’s my nature, and you’re going to have to put up with it. You can keep that key. It’s yours now, and there’s a set of keys for the house too.”

Anna smirked. “Youareserious about me, Dr Atkinson.”

“I couldn’t be more serious, Miss Walker.”

When they arrived at Baycroft, Lucy informed them that Harry was in the games room with his friends. They took the opportunity, assisted by several staff members, to move the chair into his room. Anna clung to the box of possessions from the house.

Once in position, Lucy stood back and admired it. “He’s going to like that; he’s not stopped groaning about his current one.”

Anna placed the box on the bed and opened it. She took out an urn and positioned it in the centre of the windowsill, beside the chair. She placed two photo frames on either side: one of the three of them together; one with Anna as a small child; and the last with Anna in her late teens.

Katherine hugged her. “That’s really sweet. Let’s go and find him.”

They made their way through the atrium to the games room where Lucy said they would likely find Harry.

Katherine gazed at the roof of the atrium “This place is amazing.”

“You can see why he didn’t want to leave,” Anna replied.

“I’m not sure I want to either.”

“Give it a couple of years and they’ll probably take you.”

Katherine nudged at Anna with her elbow. “Oi!”

Anna grinned as she peered through the glass window. Harry spotted her and beckoned her in; she took Katherine’s hand as she entered. All the eyes in the room turned to look at them.

“Everyone, this is my daughter and her — ” He lowered his eyes to their conjoined hands and smiled. “And her girlfriend, Katherine.”

Anna squeezed Katherine’s hand and felt her squeeze back. She didn’t realise she would be so nervous having her dad introduce them to his friends. Everyone raised a hand or smiled at them.

“I’ll see you chaps later; I’ve got two ladies to entertain.”

Anna wheeled him out of the games room and back to his. They stopped at the door.

“Katherine’s got a surprise for you, Dad.”

“We’ve got a surprise for you,” Katherine corrected her.

Katherine opened the door, and Anna pushed Harry through.

“I recognise that chair. I hope you threw that other one away.”

“I think they’ll use it in another room, Dad.”

Harry pushed himself to his feet and shuffled to it before collapsing onto it in contentment.

“Ahh, that’s much better.” He winked at Katherine, and she winked back. “So you two took your time sorting things out.” He looked at Katherine. “Have you moved her in with you?”

Katherine put her arm around Anna and pulled her in. “I have indeed.”

“Better late than never, I say. You’ll look after her for me, won’t you, doc?”

“I will, Harry.”

“Dad, you have to stop calling her doc; she might not be a doctor for much longer anyway.”

“You were a good doc to me, but I’d rather have you as a daughter-in-law any day of the week.”