Read Online Roses For Katie by Dilys Xavier - Free Book Online Page B

phone.’
    Pat gave a little cough. ‘Look here,’ he said, hesitating a little, ‘it’s, er… my day for finishing early, so I could take you to the hospital straight after lunch. You’d be independent of your daughters then, and I could wait in the car park while you’re with your aunt.’ He waited for a second or two, then went on. ‘Would you like me to do that? It’s no problem, Mrs. Turner.’
    ‘Thank you, Pat, I’d be delighted if you’ll do that for me. You really are one of the most thoughtful people I’ve met in a long while.’
    Pat grinned broadly. ‘That settles it then. I don’t need anything to eat, but shall I get you something before we go?’
    Katie shook her head. ‘No thanks. There’s enough quiche, and other bits and pieces left over from yesterday to feed us both twice over. In fact there’s a lot likely to waste.’
    She pondered for only a few seconds. ‘Now this is only a suggestion, so say what you honestly feel about it and I won’t mind one bit. What would you say to packing up the rest of the left-over food, and making a picnic of it somewhere? Then we could make more plans for my garden. We haven’t had much opportunity to talk.’
    Immediately, the idea brought a smile to his face. ‘What a great idea. It’s years since I had a picnic. It would be fun to eat out in the countryside.’
    Katie watched Pat’s eyes glow with pleasure as he nodded with enthusiastic approval. ‘Okay, Mrs. Turner. I’ll put the garden tools back in the shed right now.’
    After he went out, feeling a lot more comfortable, Katie closed her eyes again. She must have fallen asleep once more, because it seemed only minutes before Pat was at her side, saying that he was going to slip home for a shower, and would be back for her within the hour.
    She stirred herself and quickly packed the picnic lunch. As she placed it in the hamper, she felt happy, envisaging a snack under a shady tree in the nearest woods they could find. Tanya and Margie were both at work, so she phoned Sam and explained what was happening.
    It seemed no time at all before Pat had returned, and they set off. Katie noticed what a good driver he was, and she felt safe with him, relaxing into the comfortable Volvo seat, and gazing dreamily around as he drove carefully through the narrow country lanes.
    ‘After you’ve seen your Aunt Bertha, maybe we could have our picnic in those woods over there,’ he said, pointing.’
    ‘Wherever you say,’ Katie said. ‘It’s such a lovely area that just about anywhere here would do on such a beautiful day.’ Then she sighed. ‘I’m so worried about Aunt Bertha, and this is giving me something else to think about, thankfully.’
    Within a short time they were parked in the hospital lot, and Katie gathered up her handbag. ‘You’re sure you’ll be okay sitting out here?’ she asked, suddenly feeling bad about leaving him in his car to wait for her.
    ‘Don’t worry about me Mrs. Turner.’ He reached for a rose catalog off the back seat, ‘I’ll be fine. You take all the time you want with your aunt.’
    When Katie walked into the ward, Aunt Bertha was sitting up in bed, but looking miserable. As Katie approached her, the old lady’s face broke into a smile and she reached out a hand.
    ‘How lovely to see you, my dear. I’m so glad you’ve come,’ she said, and leaned forward to whisper, ‘They won’t tell me when my operation is. Perhaps they’ll tell you, so will you ask?’
    ‘Of course I will,’ Katie said, glancing around the four-bed ward to see if the Sister was about. For the next ten minutes, Katie kept her aunt’s spirits up by telling stories about her little grandchildren. Just then, a nurse appeared, and apologized that she had to take Aunt Bertha to another part of the hospital for some more tests. ‘When is the surgery scheduled?’ Katie asked.
    ‘Maybe tomorrow,’ the nurse said, ‘but Sister would be able to tell you more.’
    Aunt Bertha looked