I press the button on the coffee machine for the third time. All I get is a funny whirring noise and a dribble of black stuff into my plastic cup.
“Oh, come on. This isn’t on. I should be getting freshly ground coffee at the cost of this place.” I smack the side of the machine, but the coffee doesn’t cooperate.
I hear a quiet chuckle and turn around to stare down the person who dares to think this situation is a laughing matter, but my breath catches in my throat.
“I think this machine’s been broken for a while. The out-of-order sign must have fallen off. I’m Aiden, by the way.” The ridiculously cute guy from the day I first visited The Pines stands gazing into my eyes. I’m aware of all six-foot-something of him.
“Natasha. Do you know where else I can get a decent cup of coffee?” I offer my hand to Aiden, and we shake. His warm hand encases mine, and it soothes a sliver of my irritation with the broken coffee machine.
“Pleased to meet you. Come on. If you’re going to be visiting, you’ll need the insider info.” His eyes are as blue as the Caribbean ocean, and it takes all my willpower not to stare at him. He turns and heads across the dining hall to a door that says, ‘Staff Only’. Dumbstruck, I follow.
“Now, Maggie allows a few of the visitors in since the coffee machine is out of order. The canteen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and hot drinks are available then. But if we want a decent drink, we need to make it in here.” He presses a few buttons on the keypad and twists the silver handle.
“Hi, George. This is Natasha. She’s after some coffee. I found her about to assault the old machine.” Aiden introduces me to a middle-aged man wearing a chef’s apron.
“Pleasure to meet you, Natasha. I’m George. And if you need a coffee, then come to me.” He gives me a toothy grin. His salt and pepper hair and broad frame look at odds with the apron and his surroundings.
“A pleasure, George.” I take in the kitchen. Stainless steel benches line one side of the room. A range burner and ovens are at the other end. George sets about pulling a French press and coffee beans together. A few minutes later, he pours two coffees into large disposable cups. The aroma is heavenly and sets my bad temper at bay.
Aiden hands me one of the cups. His eyes linger on mine, before he pulls them away, dipping his head and busying himself with nothing.
“Thank you for this, George. I’ll warn you. I’ll be back in here on a regular basis. Coffee is my drug of choice.”
“I’ll look forward to it. It’s always nice to see a new face around here. Who are you visiting?”
“Well, it will be my mother, Agatha. Although I’m just moving some of her belongings in today. She’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll look out for her. The code is 5501C.” George leaves us to it and goes back to a large bucket-sized saucepan on the hob.
Aiden and I head back to the dining room, and he steers us to one of the seating areas. I gesture for him to take a seat, and he folds his tall frame down onto the sofa.
“So, I’ve seen you here a couple of times, now. And you have the code to the good coffee. You must visit often?”
“Yes, my grandfather has been here for just over a year. He has Alzheimer’s, but it’s not too far progressed. He is starting to lose more and more of his memory, but he’s still my grandad.”
“I see.”
“The Pines is a great home. Grandad is well looked after, and I believe this is the best place for him. How is your mum?”
“She had a fall last week. We’ve been trying to manage without the need for a full-time care provision. That’s not an option anymore.” I straighten my back and take a long sip of my coffee. I’m not usually so forthcoming with strangers, and it’s making me uncomfortable. “I better get back to sorting Mum’s room.” I stand, and Aiden mirrors my move.
“Nice to meet you, Natasha. It’ll be good to see some other visitors around the place.”
“I plan on being here.” I turn away, my heels echoing on the hard floor. I leave the room and head back through the maze of corridors to grab the next box of belongings from the car.
“All finished?”
The deep, soothing tone startles me. I whip my head around to see Aiden leaning against the door jam.
“More or less.” I look around what will now be my mum’s room. I’ve tried to make it her own without cluttering it. A selection of ornaments, photo frames and a few crocheted blankets give the room some warmth.
“Here, I thought you might want another.” Aiden offers me a cup of coffee, and I gladly accept. “The first few weeks are the hardest. Once you adjust to the routine and if you can stop feeling guilty.” His blue eyes hold a world of empathy.
I nod and take a sip of coffee. I feel out of my depth in this place. I couldn’t control what was happening to my mum.
“When is your mum arriving tomorrow?”
“The morning. She’s coming from the hospital.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” Aiden walks out of sight and gives me some space.
Everything has progressed so quickly with Mum. Maybe I’d been naïve about how bad she is. It was a logical conclusion to set her up in a specialist facility. But as Aiden mentioned, there was the constant guilt, and something about this went against everything ingrained in my body and soul.
I drain the coffee and make a mental note to bring in my own supply for George to brew. I’d already taken a few weeks leave from work and would be able to extend that until next month. That gave me three weeks to support Mum.
Maggie is at the reception desk as I leave. “All set for tomorrow?”
“Sure. All done. I’ll be here from ten.”
“All right. But please understand that we’ll be looking to get her settled and introduce her to her team as well.”
“I won’t interfere.”
Maggie nods, and I scrawl my name on the sign-out form.
My last visit of the day is the hospital. Mum knows she is moving. I’d been over it with her once but wasn’t convinced she fully understood. I’ll have to break it to her all over again
“Hey, Mum.” She is sitting in a chair next to her bed with her foot plastered and raised on a stool. Her nightdress has what looks like a tea stain on the front.
“About time you arrived. I’ve been waiting to leave for days.” She starts to try and stand, and I rush to ease her back into her seat.
“Easy, Mum. I’m not here to take you home.”
“Why not? All I have is a broken ankle.”
“Yes, I know that, but the doctors believe with what has happened over the last few weeks that it’s time to look at alternative care for you. Do you remember when we spoke about this a few days ago?”
“You’re sticking me in a home?” The look of disappointment is hard to ignore.
“We think it’s best for you. The Alzheimer’s isn’t getting better. You were wandering around the street. Anything could have happened.”
“And less than a week later you’ve decided that’s it. It’s time to retire me into a nursing home?”
“You fell down the stairs and broke your ankle. Mum, I can’t take care of you as they can. It’s a really nice place. Small, where you’ll get the care you need. It’s not like an old people’s home, I promise.” She turns away from me and stares at the wall of the hospital ward. This is an entirely different reaction to the last time we discussed it.
“I’ve moved in some of your things already. You’ll be taken there tomorrow. I’ll meet you there.”
“Just go, Natasha. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
I take a breath and pull all my strength together. I can break down in the privacy of my own home. I need to be strong for Mum.
“Mum, I’m sorry you’re upset. But this really is the best for you. You need special care.”
She waves me off with a dismissive shake of her hand. This is what I hate about the disease. One minute she is absolutely fine, showing no need to be looked
after in any way. The next, she can’t remember that her husband has died or a conversation we had a few days ago. Mum could be stubborn when she wanted. And proud. She would never allow anyone to see her with a tea stain on her clothes a year ago. The more I look, the more I can see how vulnerable she’s become and how foolish I’ve been not to take better care of her.
My throat constricts, and my chest tightens as I walk out of the hospital. I climb in my car and drive home as tears streak my cheeks.
The next day I arrive at 10:00 a.m. sharp, coffee in hand. I cast my eye down the visitor form and notice Aiden isn’t in. Never mind.
I make my way through to the dining room and head for the staff door. I key in the combination and enter. George is in the kitchen scrubbing a large saucepan in a sink of bubbles.
“Good morning, George. I’ve brought you a gift.”
He looks around and gives me a happy smile. “Morning, Natasha. Nice to see you again so soon.”
“Here.” I hand him a 500g bag of one of my favourite El Salvador beans.
“Why thank you. I take it this is what you’d like me to make?”
“Only if it suits. I’ve already told you, this is my drug of choice. If I can get my own blend, then even better. Try it. Let me know what you think.”
“I will. Thank you. I’ll get the morning service cleared up and then come and find you with a cup.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll probably be in the library room.”
“Okay then.”
I leave George to it and go and wait in my Mum’s room. We didn’t have the warmest of visits yesterday, and I was apprehensive about how she would feel at seeing me again today. Especially with the move. Despite Maggie’s message ensuring I didn’t interfere, I wouldn’t let Mum arrive here without a familiar face.
I fill the glass vase with water and put in the cut roses I’d bought with me, stem by stem. Her room now has a few choice items, plus some of her knitted and crocheted blankets. It looks homey. The morning sun shines in through the door to the small garden. I pull back the mesh blind and look out.
A senior man in a wheelchair is sitting in the sun’s rays. Next to him on the small bench is Aiden. His broad frame and age are a dead giveaway. He must be the youngest person at The Pines by an easy fifteen years.
“And here we are, Agatha. This is your room.” I drop the curtain and turn around to see Maggie wheeling Mum into the room.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Hi, darling. I didn’t know you’d be here. Oh, are those flowers for me? They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She nods to the blush pink roses.
“Something to brighten your room. Do you like it? I’ve only brought you a few things.
“Let’s see, shall we.” Mum looks around as Maggie wheels her in next to the bed and small table.
“It’s a nice sized room.”
“All of our rooms have a similar layout and facilities. Your bathroom is behind you through the door. And we can show you the rest of the communal spaces shortly. Of course, it will be better once the cast is off.”
“Oh, yes. It’s terribly itchy already,” Mum complains.
“Natasha, why…”
“Don’t worry. I’m meeting George in the library room. I’ll come back before lunch, Mum.” I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and leave her with Maggie. Mum seems a completely different person today. Much like the woman I know and love.
I stride down the hall and through the door to the older part of the home and pop my head into the library. It’s deserted, and so I find myself a comfy chair that would be more suited inside a country manor and pull out my iPad.
Even though I wasn’t working, it didn’t stop me from reviewing my emails. I flick my purple-tipped fingernail over the screen, scrolling through the umpteen unopened emails that have come in since I checked a few days ago. Most can wait. A few I open and scan the contents.
“Natasha?”
I look up and am greeted by George. “Hi, is that my coffee?”
“It is. And can I say that this coffee is delicious. I am going to look forward to making you your drinks if my reward is a cup of this liquid gold.”
“Help yourself, George. And thank you.”
He hands over the cup and disappears out of the room.
I inhale the aroma and go back to my screen.
A few minutes later the door creaks open, and Aiden comes in with his grandfather.
“You haven’t beaten me, yet. You’re just preying on my bad memory.”
“Oh, is that what you call it?” Aiden jokes with his grandad. He looks over and sees me in the corner by the window and offers a polite wave. “Come on then. If you really do believe you can beat me at chess, I’ll play.”
“Well, of course you will. What else would you do around here?”
Aiden looks over to me, his blue eyes bright in the morning light. “Oh, I can think of a few things.” He looks away and helps his grandad set up the board. Aiden takes a seat with a direct line to me. So much for concentrating on my emails. Watching Aiden smile with his grandad is much more interesting.
I don’t hide my eyes trained on him. I’ve never been shy about making my intentions clear. But in this environment, with this boy, I’m a little cautious. The Pines isn’t Solace, and it’s been a long time since I met someone I wanted to play with outside the security of the club.
Playing with Aiden. Having him under my control and my guidance. The thought is in my mind before I have a chance to register it fully. I smile to myself, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Aiden looks over and gives me a quizzical look. I slide my iPad back into my bag and take my coffee over to join Aiden.
“Hello, Aiden. This must be your grandfather.”
“Natasha. Yes, this is Peter Morgan.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss.” Peter reaches to shake my hand.
“Pleasure. Now, who’s winning?” I glance down at the board and see a handful of pieces out of place. Peter doesn’t seem to be playing to any particular order. I look at Aiden, who just shrugs it off and moves his knight.
I happily watch them continue playing for another hour until a nurse enters the room. “Natasha? Your mum will be having lunch in a short while. Did you want to come back and say hi?”
“Sure. Thank you. Nice to meet you, Peter. See you again soon.”
“Likewise, Miss Natasha.” I grin at his innocent honorific. Now if Aiden were to address me as Miss Natasha… I turn to him and wink before following the nurse to go and visit Mum.
The next weeks fall into a comforting pattern. I wake up and head over to The Pines after breakfast. I bring a large cup of coffee with me. I visit with Mum for a little while in her room or take her outside if the weather is fine. Her mood seems to have stabilised since arriving. She’s only been her usual self with me, content to be here and adjusting to her surroundings. She asks me about a host of different things, and I make sure I take the time to fully answer her.
One time in the day room, Mum introduces me to an older lady with fine white hair. Her name is Joan, and she seems very sweet.
“I’m glad you’re making friends. Do you want me to tell the Franks where you are? I’m sure they’d like to visit.”
“Maybe when I’m out of this wretched cast. I have to be pushed everywhere now. It’s very frustrating.”
“I know, Mum. I think you have a couple more weeks though.”
After I’ve spent the morning with Mum, I sneak away to grab a refill from George and go and hide in the library room. From what I can tell, it doesn’t get very busy. But Aiden and Peter are there, usually playing chess.
Aiden seems to be here at The Pines most days like I’ve been. Around lunchtime, we wait in the library while they serve lunch. Our conversation expands every day. At first, it centers around either his grandad or my mum. But, after the first day or two, we exhaust that topic. I don’t want our conversation to be limited to the two of them. I want to hear more about Aiden, and it’s clear that he feels th
e same about me. His sly glances toward me haven’t gone unnoticed.
“How come I’ve never seen you eat anything over the last couple of weeks? You’re here for longer than a quick visit. Don’t you get hungry?”
I grin at him and raise the cup to my lips. “I don’t eat a huge amount. Coffee is all I need.”
“Come on. Seriously, you have to eat something.”
“I have a smoothie for breakfast, maybe some porridge, coffee through the day. Fruit, chocolate, and whatever’s in the fridge in the evening. Unless I’m going out. It’s a damn sight better than the rubbish I see you stuffing into your face. Crisps, biscuits, plus anything else you’ve brought in for Pete.” I look down to the packet of cookies on the table between us.
“I’m a growing boy.” He puffs out his chest and flexes his arms as if to prove his point. It gives me the perfect opportunity to appreciate the muscles under his stretched t-shirt. I wasn’t going to pass up that visual treat.
“So, you don’t each much. What do you like to do in your spare time?”
I grin at his question. The line ‘tie up submissives and spank them’ is on the tip of my tongue, but I refrain. I look at him, working out what to say that’s both true and of any interest.
“What? You look like you’re plotting something.”
“Just working out how much to tell you.”
“Well now I’m more than intrigued.” Aiden takes the opportunity to inch closer and I get a wave of his fresh, clean smell. Aiden’s eyes seek out mine, waiting for the next snippet of information. He’s enjoyed finding out different facts about me over these lunch breaks. He’s attentive and lets me lead the conversation, waiting to see what I’ll reveal to him. I haven’t had this discovery period with a friend before. Usually it’s within the context of BDSM, finding out a sub’s boundaries, likes, and dislikes. It’s imperative to understand how the dynamic would develop and what scenes would work in that world.
Despite our vanilla surroundings, it’s difficult for me not to compare and contrast to the only world I’ve known. Plus, Aiden keeps my mind firmly turned on. The back and forth with Aiden is just as captivating. Knowing he wants to know about me, simply because he’s interested, makes me long for more alone time with him.
Finally More: The Evermore Series Book 5 Page 4