Lost and Found

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Sunday 12th January 2009

It was over a week since Sol had left for LA, and a lot had happened. Amelia watched her father battle to stand, and then take a step. Each day had seen him improve, initially a team of physiotherapists helped him plant his foot, lock his knee, then shift his weight to allow the next step. Now, with some help, he was almost walking six or eight steps himself. He was a strong and stubborn, and she was glad to see that he was using that trait to get himself up and about.

She’d already been talking to the doctors about his future, and she’d decided that she’d rent a single story apartment for them. As beautiful as the Manor house was, it was cold, difficult to manoeuvre around, and if he needed a wheelchair then that was virtually impossible.

She hadn’t spoken to Sol, other than leaving him a message when she knew he’d still be in the air flying to LA. It was a cowardly action, but she couldn’t talk to him directly, he’d wear her down, and this was a decision she HAD to make.  Sighing she walked into the hospital for the first of several visits that day. When did life become such a routine?

As usual her father was terse, preoccupied and had the same air of determination that had seen him improve so quickly. The staff loved him, found his grumpy disposition amusing, for Amelia it made her doubt her choices every minute they were together. But back in the quiet of the room she’d rented above the Red Lion in her home village, she put her life into perspective.

Li was her only real family, and now with her being married, about to be a mother, there would be growing distance between them, she knew that and appreciated it. But without Li she had nothing. Some of the lowest moments in her life had happened in the last eighteen months, and with Li both successfully busy, and in love, she’d had to shoulder these times alone. But Max was her father, her blood relation, and she wanted him around and in her life. A voice grated at the back of her conscience doubting that her father would ever be anyone she’d confide in, ever be an emotional support to her, ever provide that bolt hole she’d craved the last few years. But he was her only chance.

That night back in the village, she sat alone by the huge open fire, Mike and Cathy had beef hotpot as a special, so she was drinking a pint of Guinness as she waited for it. Mrs Young, Amelia had learned was a very useful contact. She knew everything that happened in the area, and had a loyalty to her own dead mother that made her a confidante. Tonight’s news was that Alex had moved his new girlfriend into the house and was...to quote the older woman “lording around” with her. Amelia was too exhausted to show her anger.

Monday 12th January 2009

As usual Amelia ate her lunch alone. Most days she visited the hospital coffee shop, it wasn’t great, but the food was hot. Today as despite the cold air, the sun shone, she took a sandwich and a Styrofoam cup of coffee out to one of the park benches that were tucked into the ornamental gardens that flanked the hospital entrance.

                “What the hell does ‘we can’t be together’ mean?”

She’d barely touched the unappetising snack when a familiar voice cut through her serenity. Before she’d even set eyes on him her body was all a quiver. Even his voice was sexy, but she had to ignore that thought.  Amelia’s head snapped up to see an angry Sol stood over her, she’d not even sensed him approach until he’d spoken and before she could overcome her surprise, her burst of desire and think of commenting, forming an answer, he carried on.

                “You leave me a message, tell me you’ve ‘picked my family’...” he shook his head, “then you refuse to answer your phone or respond to an email. I have been beside myself. Have you any idea?”