Nat nodded. Phyllie had implied Hannah and Damien were experiencing problems, and by the look of Hannah, she’d been correct.
‘I’ve had my hot chocolate,’ Amy said, moving out of her mother’s embrace. ‘I said I’d help Sue in the garden before we leave. Do I have enough time?’
Hannah nodded and sat down at the table with Nat. ‘Yes, of course. We’ll get going when you’re done. Let Sue enjoy her hot chocolate first.’
Sue picked up her cup. ‘Why don’t you go and play with Toby for five minutes and then I’ll be out and we can finish off.’
Amy grinned and pushed her way through the bifold doors to the back garden.
‘Are you sure you’re alright?’ Sue asked, turning to Hannah. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so pale or miserable-looking.’
Tears filled Hannah’s eyes.
Alarm struck Nat. Her sister never cried; she was far too strong.
Sue came over and put a hand on Hannah’s shoulder. ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’
‘It’s okay – just a difficult weekend. Damien and I have a few issues we need to sort out. It’s why we asked you to have Amy.’
Sue squeezed her shoulder before sitting down beside her.
‘Is there anything we can do to help, love?’ Her father joined them at the table.
Hannah wrapped her hands around her mug. ‘No, but thank you. Having Amy was a huge help.’
‘And things are okay now?’
Hannah shook her head. ‘No, but I don’t want to talk about it. Damien’s gone to stay with his parents tonight. He has a lot to process.’
He has a lot to process? Had Hannah had an affair? Nat couldn’t think of anything else that might cause her brother-in-law to need to process things. Her sister, having an affair? If it was true, then it proved she didn’t know Hannah at all. She’d almost be proud of her for breaking out of her rigid mould, but not at Damien’s expense. Nat liked him too much.
‘How’s your new job going?’ Hannah asked, breaking into her thoughts.
‘Um, good, thanks.’ Nat waited for the million questions that Hannah usually asked. But they didn’t come.
‘That’s great.’ Hannah sipped her hot chocolate. ‘And I take it there’s a new man on the scene?’
Nat frowned. ‘Not that I’m aware of. Who?’
‘Leon. I met him this afternoon when I dropped Phyllie back. He was asking after you.’
Nat’s cheeks flushed bright red. ‘Really? What did he say?’
Hannah smiled; her sister’s reaction immediately told her she liked Leon. ‘Nothing much. Just asked if I knew where you were, that he’d hoped to speak to you. He actually told me not to tell you he was asking after you. But it’s too cute not to tell.’
‘He’s just a friend,’ Nat said. ‘Phyllie’s claimed him as hers, and even if I was interested, I’m not allowed to date him.’
Hannah’s lips curled into a small smile. ‘That sounds a bit ridiculous.’
‘You know what Phyllie’s like.’ Nat laughed. ‘If I cross her, she’ll throw me out.’
‘Living with Phyllie’s still going well?’
Nat nodded. ‘Mostly. Although, as much as I don’t want to admit it, I think you might be right about her having some difficulties.’
She cringed as the words came out of her mouth. She hadn’t planned to talk to Hannah about Phyllie.
‘What kind of difficulties?’ Sue asked.
‘Sometimes I wonder what year she’s living in, and she’s become a little forgetful.’ Nat went on to tell them about the money for the movie, Phyllie wondering why Nat had come to visit one day, and then going out in her gardening clothes leaving the iron on. There were some other small examples that she mentioned too.
‘Other than the iron, nothing else dangerous then?’ her father said.
‘No. But I am a bit worried about her. She corrects herself quickly, but there’s a period of confusion when it happens. I thought perhaps we should take her for a check-up.’
Hannah nodded. ‘I saw it for myself today. We had lunch, and at one stage she went and used the ladies’ room. When she came out, she asked me where everyone was. For about thirty seconds she acted like it was four years ago when we were there for her birthday and she couldn’t work out why everyone had gone. She suddenly came to and laughed it off, saying she was enjoying reminiscing and that was all. It wasn’t a big deal, but there was a flash of fear that crossed her face. I think it frightened her not being in control of her thoughts for that short amount of time.’
‘What do you think it is?’ Nat asked.
‘I’m not a doctor. How on earth would I know?’
Nat blushed. ‘Sorry, I just thought you would have gone home and googled it and worked out what she needed.’
Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘What, and ship her off to the aged care facility like she’s so scared I was going to do?’
‘Possibly.’
‘No, I didn’t go home and google it. I thought it was just a moment, one that a lot of older adults would experience. It certainly wasn’t something that was putting her in danger, just unsettling her a little.’
‘I’ll organise a doctor’s appointment,’ their father said. ‘She’s my mother, and she’ll go whether she likes it or not. Her father ended up with dementia, and as much as I’d hate that to happen to her, we should at least get her checked and know what we might be dealing with.’
‘She’s going to hate having to go,’ Hannah said. ‘I don’t know how you’ll convince her.’
Sue laughed. ‘You’d be surprised what the lure of a high tea will do. I’ll go with them and we’ll make a quick stop at the doctor’s on the way. There’ll be no mention of dementia or you girls being worried. With the thought of scones and clotted cream on her mind, I’m sure it won’t be an issue.’
‘A friend of mine suggested we tell her she needs some immunisations, as they make a number available for the elderly these days.’ Nat shrugged. ‘Might be worth a shot.’
‘Good idea,’ Hannah said. ‘Do you think you’ll be able to continue to live with her? It’s a huge relief knowing she has you in the house.’
Nat nodded. ‘Of course. I don’t have any plans to move out. The arrangement works well, and now that I’m a little concerned about her I feel better being there. She’d hate to have a stranger in her home, and as much as I hate to say this, I do agree with Hannah. She needs someone around.’
Nat waited for Hannah to start on the I told you so’s, but they didn’t come. Instead, she spoke with genuine love and concern for her grandmother.
‘Poor Phyllie. She’d rather die than have dementia. She’s such a strong and independent woman. I hope what she’s experiencing is just old age and nothing more.’
Nat, Sue and her father nodded in agreement. They all loved Phyllie, and it would be devastating to watch her mind deteriorate.
Sue stood and placed her cup in the sink. ‘I’d better go and finish off the gardening with Amy. Help yourselves to more hot chocolate.’