“Hi, I’m here to see my grandmother, Bernadette Pavlov. Is she still in room one-oh-nine?” I asked, with a pleasant smile on my face. I edged my way toward the corridor that would lead me to Gran’s room, but the woman, with the name tag of Brenda, raised her hand.
“Wait a minute,” she said with a sigh. Brenda shuffled a couple of papers then once seemingly done glanced back up at me. “Okay, what was the name again?”
I gave it, my impatience escalating.
“Let me check. And what’s your name? Do you have identification?”
I gave that too and handed over my temporary passport. There had never been this kind of interrogation before and wondered why all of a sudden she needed my ID. “Is this necessary, I just want to see my grandmother.”
“Protocols I’m afraid.” After a few taps on her clunky keyboard, Brenda let me know Gran was still in the same room and pointed the way. “Next time you really should make an appointment. Visiting hours are strictly between two and six. Also, you will need to sign in.”
I scribbled my name and flung down the pen a little harder than I’d intended; it skittered across the counter and landed on the other side. Brenda tutted and gave me a scornful glance. Finally, once all the inane protocols were maintained Brenda buzzed me through to the central part of the facility. I quickly found the room and knocked gently before opening.
“Come in,” I heard a voice call. I smiled instantly when I saw her. Gran sat in an upright ruby wingback chair positioned in front of the only window in the small room. The chair had seen better days, faded pink on the arms by the sun, but Gran looked just the same. Just as I’d remembered, with a bright glint in her eye and always with a smile on her thin face.
“Hi, Gran!” I said and approached, pulling her into a hug. It felt like I was holding a small, fragile bird. I hoped they were feeding her well.
“Who are you?” Gran replied and looked at me, searching my face as if she was trying to place me. My stomach dropped like it had been filled with stones. Then her lips twitched, broadening quickly into a huge smile, her dentures on display. “Oh, don’t look like that, Anna. I’m only kidding.”
“Gran!” I admonished. “You shouldn’t do that… you made me think… I thought you couldn’t remember who I was!”
She cackled and patted my hand. “As if I could forget my only granddaughter. The wandering adventure-seeker! Besides, I have to have my fun too. Not like I have the TV to distract me anymore.”
I shook my head and joined in smiling at the mischievous old woman. She’d always been partial to a practical joke or two in her time, probably kept the staff at the facility on their feet too if I knew her.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Sit down. Tell me everything. Did you have many grand adventures? It is so good to see you.”
I pulled the visiting chair beside her and we sat together, the sunlight streaming in, bathing our skin.
“You could say that,” I said with a slight laugh. I wasn’t sure exactly how much to tell her, I didn’t want her to worry needlessly. Probably best to give her the highlights. Then I remembered the mugging and the present I’d bought for her and glanced at my shoes.
“Anna? What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. I just haven’t brought you anything. I…”
“Silly girl, you don’t need to bring me anything. Seeing you is present enough! And those chocolates you sent from Belgium were divine. You’re such a thoughtful girl. I had to fend off the nurses from stealing them with my walking stick,” Gran said with a chuckle. “But tell me did you manage to visit Bererov?”
Bererov was the small town Gran’s parents, my great-grandparents who’d died before I was born, lived in before emigrating to America. Gran was only a baby herself, a toddler if I remembered correctly from her stories when they’d left. But I’d promised to try and visit the place of our family’s origin.
“Not quite,” I said with a wince, then brightly added, “But I did see some of Saint Petersburg. It’s a lovely city, and I met this wonderful woman who helped me when I ran into a little bit of trouble.”
“Trouble? I hope everything is okay?”
“Don’t worry, Gran. Everything worked out for the best… but it did mean I had to cut my trip short and come back.”
“Well, I’m sorry for that. But I am glad to see you. I’ve missed our little talks.”
For the next thirty minutes we chatted like old times. I recalled all the good things about my travels before the mugging, skipping over that part, telling her about all the colorful places I’d seen, and Gran told me the latest gossip happening at Sunset Hill, including romances going on and also the budget cuts. It seemed there was more drama in this little place that I ever thought possible.
“But how are you, Gran? Are you eating properly? How’s your heart?” I said and retook her hand, maintaining eye contact so she knew not to dodge my question.
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m just old, sweetie. Don’t worry about me. I’m perfectly happy here and I have my ladies. We pass the time with our bridge club. Still sharp as a tack,” she said and tapped the side of her head with a thin, stick-like, finger.
A knock on the door interrupted us and before Gran could tell them to enter, a man in a cheap suit appeared at the doorway. “Miss Pavlov, do you have a moment?” he said.
Gran scowled at him. “Can’t you see my granddaughter is visiting? He took away my TV,” she muttered under her breath to me.
He nodded, but this didn’t deter him any. “I’ll only steal her for a moment. This is an urgent matter.”
“It’s okay, Gran. I’ll be right back. Can’t get rid of me that easily,” I said and got to my feet. Eyeing the man carefully, I had a feeling I knew what this was about, it was only a matter of time before they came asking for the money.
Out in the corridor, we stood silently, waiting for one of us to speak. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Mr. Kershaw. I run this place.” He stuck out his hand but I ignored it. “Maybe it’s better if we go to my office, Miss Pavlov?”
“You can tell me what you have to say right here.” I crossed my arms and stood firm.
Mr. Kershaw sighed. “Well as you’ve already been informed, I believe you were in contact with one of your grandmother’s nurses, Martina, is that correct?”
“It is.”
“Then you know your Mrs. Pavlov’s account is in arrears.”
I closed my eyes, my stomach churning. Burying my head in the sand hadn’t worked out well. “I understand, but I’ve only just returned. I’m afraid I can’t pay you quite yet.”
He stuck his hands in his pockets. “That’s not good enough I’m afraid. If you don’t get the account into good standing by the end of the month, we will have to evict your grandmother. My hands are tied I’m afraid.”
“You’re just going to throw out a sick, old woman onto the streets? She has a bad heart, you know?”
“Well, no… I mean. That’s not what I said.”
“That’s exactly what you implied. So which is it?”
“Please, Miss, there’s no need to raise your voice.”
I clenched my teeth and tried to get my temper under control.
“You have to understand this, at the end of the day, is a business. We’re not a homeless shelter… And unfortunately, we need money to continue looking after the people who live here, including your grandmother.”
I shook my head at him. “How much do I need to bring the account up to date?” I said, my tone painfully even and controlled.
“Let’s go into my office to discuss this in private. I can print out the bill.”
A few minutes later, deflated and completely overwhelmed, I sat in his office, my head in my hands. He’d had the courtesy to leave me alone for a moment. I think he realized it was either give up his space or have me launch myself over his desk and throttle the man until he turned a violent shade of purple. There was no way I was going to get the money in time. I hadn’t realized it was so ba
d… made even worse by the interest the facility had put onto the debt. And even if I did, by some miracle, manage to pay off what was owed, there were still the monthly payments that seemed extortionate.
I shuffled my way back to Gran’s room, making a pit stop in the bathroom to wipe my face and make myself look presentable, before facing her again.
Gran was still in her chair when I got back, reading a large-print bodice-ripper from the quick glance I had of the cover when she snapped it shut and tucked it down the side of the chair.
“Everything all right, Anna?”
“Everything is fine.”
She sniffed and narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you lie to me, young lady. I can tell there is something amiss.”
I winced. I couldn’t lie to her, she always saw right through me. But I tried anyway. I was responsible for her now, for her wellbeing. I wouldn’t let my mom down. “Just a little complication with the bill is all. Not to worry, it’ll be sorted out in a few days.”
“Anna, you should tell me if it’s something serious. I can handle it. I may look like a frail old woman with a dodgy hip and bad ticker, but I’m still all here, up there,” she said and tapped her temple. “Sit down and tell me the truth, I won’t settle for anything less.”
“Okay. The account is in arrears. We owe the care home about three month’s worth of payments, plus interest.” Her eyes widened and I quickly added, “But it’s okay. I’ve arranged to pay off the debt with the manager.”
“But how, Anna? You’ve only just got back… you don’t have a job. Wait, where did all my money go? I don’t understand. There should be enough to cover years.”
“That’s something I’ll have to look into, Gran. But I think the charges have gone up and maybe we weren’t told, or we were and I missed it. I’m so sorry.”
“The bastards probably stole it all!”
My mouth opened in shock. I’d never heard her swear before and it was a bit of a surprise.
“Close your mouth, dear, you’ll catch flies.”
I snapped it shut.
“They’re threatening to chuck me out on my ear aren’t they?”
“Yes, but I’ve got this okay? I have a plan. You’re not going to lose your spot. I won’t let them kick you out. I promise.”
Nine
Sebastian
I clutched the small box in my hand as I got to my apartment door. I still hadn’t decided if I was going to get down on bended knee and give it to her. Would that be too much? Handing it over would be less romantic, and probably for the best. Regardless if I did either, there would be no going back. It would be real. I’d be making it real, a conscious decision, asking her to marry me. I wouldn’t be able to say it was all a big misunderstanding. I’d be committing to lying to Anna.
Throughout all my years, all my short-lived relationships, I’d never really thought about getting married, or asking someone to be my wife, and yet now that I was on the precipice, my hands shook. What was so different about Anna that made me feel like this? My stomach wriggled with nervous energy. This wasn’t exactly how I’d imagined how it would go down.
Inside the apartment I crept along the hallway, hardly making a sound, holding my breath. It wasn’t that I wanted to surprise her; I was on edge, feeling a bit like an intruder in my own home. But then I rounded the corner and saw her face and all my worries flew out of the window replaced with concern for her.
Her knees were tucked under her body, sitting on the couch, her face turned toward the light coming through the window. She hadn’t seen or heard me yet, and I took a moment to look at her. Study her. Her beauty struck me like it had that morning. I felt a tightening at my throat… no, it was further down, the clutching pain coming from my chest, my heart. What was happening to me?
One look at this woman and my body reacted in so many unexpected ways. I sucked in a breath and forced myself to look away from her, for just a second. I needed to get myself under control. How could this be possible? I’d only met her. We barely knew each other. We’d occupied the same space and air for less than a couple of hours and yet there I was with an engagement ring in my pocket and an urge to take her in my arms and never let go.
My tongue tripped over the words I tried to get out, not having a clue what to say. Anna turned my way with a start, stricken for a moment with surprise. But then she relaxed, a weak smile appearing on her lips, one that I noticed didn’t reach her eyes completely. She looked like she had the weight of the world on her slim shoulders.
“Hi,” she greeted me. “Didn’t hear you.” Her voice was thick was emotion, her accent a little softer than I remembered from that morning.
With her face turned I now saw her other cheek, tear-stained. In fact, both her eyes were a little puffy. The telltale sign that she’d been crying. Had she spent the majority of the day feeling miserable and alone? Crap, I shouldn’t have left her here, by herself on her first day.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. Are you okay? Have you been crying?” I moved toward the couch and sat close, but not quite next to her. I had the urge to be cautious around this timid creature, when normally with anyone else I wouldn’t have been so kind.
Anna waved my concern away. “I am fine,” she said with a sniff.
Was she missing her home? Scared to be in a new place? Of course, she was, that was evident from her face.
“You’re not fine. You’ve been crying. You can tell me what’s wrong if you want?” I scooted closer, my heart calling out to her. I glanced down at her hand resting on her thigh. Before I could stop myself I took it. The same thrill from earlier coursed through my body. Touching her, being so close to her, felt so right. I squeezed her hand, locking eyes with her.
“It is nothing. Please, do not worry.”
She let go of my hand and moved into the kitchen area. I couldn’t see for sure, what with her back to me, but her hands went up to her face. To wipe away more tears?
It was then as I looked around the apartment, desperately trying to think of anything that would maybe ease her pain and came up with nothing. I felt helpless… a new emotion for me, that had me standing up, fidgeting, and uneasy. It was then that I realized the place didn’t look the same as when I’d left it that morning.
The apartment was practically spotless. On the edge of the couch was a pile of my clothes, the surfaces had all been wiped down and the clutter that had been on them had vanished. There was also a mouth-watering smell in the air that had me searching for the source.
My eyes went to Anna again. She stood at the stove and I joined her, leaning against the island counter. God, she was amazing, not only had she tidied up after my lazy ass but somehow she’d managed to cook something from whatever I’d had left dying in my fridge… unless she’d gone out?
“Did you do all this?” I asked with wonder. Getting her attention, she glanced at me as I gestured to the clean room. She nodded. “And you cooked too? Wow, thank you. I didn’t expect this.”
I honestly couldn’t remember when I’d last had a home-cooked meal.
I went to the fridge opened it and stared inside. It was bare as I remembered it. “Did you go outside to the market?”
Anna stirred the contents of the saucepan, nibbling her lip as she looked at me then quickly her gaze darted away. There was a slight shake of her head. I frowned, I had a sense that she was lying to me about going out. But why would she need to lie? Then I remembered she didn’t even have a key. I was jumping to conclusions, seeing deception when there wasn’t any. She was just nervous. She’d done a good thing with the meal. There was no need to interrogate the poor woman.
“You know, it’s okay if you go out. I just didn’t think you would want to, your first day and all. Not alone anyway. I don’t want you to get lost. And just so we’re clear… Anna, look at me.” Reluctantly she did and I stepped forward. “You’re not a prisoner here, and you’re certainly not here to tidy up after me, though I do appreciate what you’ve done today.”
She shrugged as if what I was saying was inconsequential. God, I hoped she understood what I meant.
I slipped a hand into my jacket pocket and held out my hand. “Here, see. You can explore whenever you want,” I said as I handed over the duplicate keycard I’d picked up from the concierge. She took it cautiously and clutched it her chest. “I probably need to get you a map too… or even better a phone. That way you won’t get lost and can always find your way back home when I’m at work. Yes, that would probably be best, I’ll make sure my secretary, Josephine, picks you up one. Sorry, I didn’t think about it sooner.”
Anna rewarded me with a smile.
I lifted a finger, pointing it in the air before slipping it inside my internal jacket pocket. “Oh, and I mustn’t forget this either. Your spending money. As we agreed?”
I handed her the envelope. Her eyes were so full I thought I was going to fall into them at any moment, lost within their depths.
Tears spilled down her cheeks freely as she looked inside, then her hand went to her sensuous mouth. Anna’s gaze moved from the stack of bills up to me, then back down again as if she couldn’t believe the amount I’d just handed to her. Suddenly she launched herself forward, arms circling my neck, pulling me into the most satisfying embrace.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her breath hot on my neck, hair tickling my nose.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and completed the hug, and once my arms were around her, I never wanted to let go. I squeezed her closer, feeling her small body pressed up against mine. The friction between us driving me wild. God, she smelled so good too, like I was bathing in a vat of vanilla ice cream. I almost forgot myself and licked her neck to see if she actually tasted of cream.
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