Chapter Eleven

‘... a nd we had the most marvellous day. The film was just spectacular. Have you seen it?’ Lizzie glanced at her husband who was sitting next to her at the long table in the residents’ dining room at the care home, before looking at Robyn.

‘No, I’ve not seen that one yet.’ Robyn smiled. The atmosphere in the large room was full of excitement and happiness as residents sat down with their families to enjoy an early Christmas dinner. Foil gold and red Christmas decorations similar to those her parents had strung up in her childhood home hung across the ceiling and a huge real Christmas tree took pride of place at the front of the dining room, a mound of carefully wrapped presents piled high by its trunk.

‘Oh, sorry, Robyn. I think I must be keeping you.’ Lizzie pointed towards the hatch which opened through to the kitchen as a swarm of volunteers collected plates and carried them to the tables.

‘Oops. I’d better go then.’ Standing up from the chair she’d been perched on, Robyn smiled at Lizzie. ‘It was lovely to talk to you. I’ll catch up with you again later.’

‘You too, dear.’ After patting her hand, Lizzie released her.

Hurrying towards the kitchen hatch, Robyn stood in line as she waited for more plates to be ready. She slumped her shoulders as she realised who was standing in front of her – Jasper. There was literally no escaping this man. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. The manager, Angie, joined the queue.

‘How are you finding things, Robyn? I see you’ve been chatting to Lizzie over there.’ Angie smiled.

‘Yes, she’s lovely. And yes, it’s been great so far. I’m really enjoying myself.’ Robyn darted her eyes quickly towards Jasper’s back. Good, he hadn’t heard Angie saying her name then, he was still unaware she was standing right behind him. ‘Thank you again for letting me come to volunteer at such short notice.’

‘We’re very pleased to have you.’ Angie continued. ‘And if you decide to make Penworth Bay your home once you’ve finished volunteering at Elsie’s, remember where we are, and we’d be thrilled if you could join our team of volunteers.’

‘Oh wow, thanks.’ Robyn tugged the sleeves of her jumper down to cover her hands. ‘That’s very kind, but I’m only here for a few weeks.’

‘Ah, that’s what everyone says.’ Angie chuckled before noticing someone waving her over from the tables. ‘I’d better go and see what the problem is.’

Nodding, Robyn watched as Angie hurried across the room. It was nice of Angie to offer a voluntary spot to her, but as lovely as Penworth Bay was, she wouldn’t be able to stay.

‘You’re staying then.’ Jasper turned around and looked at her.

‘What?’ Had he been eavesdropping? ‘No, no, I’m not. Angie said if I did, I could volunteer here on a regular basis.’

Jasper nodded and picked up a couple of plates, which were now ready.

‘And if you’re going to eavesdrop, then do it properly.’ She shook her head as she picked up two large plates heaped high with roast dinner and all the trimmings. As she walked across towards the closest table, she breathed in the tasty aroma of the dinners in her hands. If she hadn’t eaten that roast at the pub earlier, she was sure her stomach would be rumbling.

THROWING HER HEAD BACK , Robyn laughed at another one of Terrence’s jokes. It was the way he told them, and she was sure if anyone else tried to repeat them, they’d sound lame, but Terrence had the punchline delivery spot on every single time. She had joined Terrence, Lizzie, and their son and his wife at a table in the lounge, a huge room filled with clusters of sofas, a large TV and a few tables and chairs around the outside of the room, one of which they were sitting at. She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in ages. Yes, she had a good time with her friends and with Cathy, but this was different. Here, she could be herself and not worry about what others thought of her. She wasn’t trying to impress the latest guy her friends had invited out with them, desperately trying, and failing, to set her up. Not that she wanted to meet anyone, or indeed had agreed to any of the blind dates, but because she didn’t want to be rude, she didn’t want to show her friends up. But, here, everyone had been so welcoming, treating her as though she’d known them for years.

‘Would anyone like another drink?’ Robyn began collecting the empty teacups and glasses from the table, stacking them on a tray.

‘Now that sounds like an offer I couldn’t refuse.’ Terrence passed across his cup. ‘Shall I take your turn whilst you’re fetching them?’

Robyn looked down at their game of cards and nodded, although she had assumed the game had been long ago discarded. Their attention instead focused on chatting and laughing at Terrence’s jokes. ‘Yes, please.’

‘Grand. Whose turn is it?’ Terrence picked up his fan of cards.

Standing up, Robyn picked up the tray and turned, pausing in her tracks as she saw Jasper walking across to them and watched as a scowl quickly replaced his smile the moment he noticed her. Lowering her head, she scurried past him, anger seething in the pit of her stomach. Why was he still so rude to her?

She forced herself to smile as she walked past him, tray in hand, towards the drinks table set in the corner of the room. ‘Hi.’

Jasper nodded, darting his eyes towards her for the briefest second as they crossed paths.