Page 52 of The Second Chance Supper Club

It didn’t sound good.

‘Is it your mum?’ Dan asked, concerned.

Andreas nodded seriously as he listened for a few seconds more. ‘Okay, thank you for letting me know. I’ll get there as soon as I can.’

The group were quiet as he closed the call. ‘I’m sorry, we’ve got to go. Right now. It’s Mama …’

‘What’s happened, love?’ Dan spoke gently.

‘She’s had a fall …’ Andreas bit his lip, and gave a sad shake of his head. ‘That was the care home. She’s not so good. They think she might have broken her arm … and it’s all been a big shock for her, of course.’

‘Oh, Andreas. Bless her,’ said Cath.

‘Poor Maria,’ Nikki said.

‘Where are they taking her? Have they got an ambulance?’ Dan asked.

‘Yes, she’s on her way to A&E at Cramlington, right now.

We need to go.’

‘Of course.’ His partner was already gathering up their essentials.

‘It’s okay, we’ll sort out everything here.’ Cath stepped in. ‘Yes, that’s no problem,’ Lily said.

‘Is there anything you need us to do? Anything we can help with?’ Will offered, empathy filling his voice.

‘Shall I take Shirley home with me? In case you’re a while at the hospital?’ Cath suggested. ‘It’s no problem.’

‘Oh, would you really … ? I don’t know how long we might be. That would be such a help.’ Andreas was grateful.

‘So, there’s a key under the big stone by the back step. Dog food’s in the kitchen cupboard,’ Dan swiftly explained.

‘Great. I’ll sort it.’

‘Go on then … get yourselves away. Do what you need,’ Nikki encouraged.

‘And let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help later,’ Will added.

‘Thank you so much,’ said Dan.

And off they set, looking a little dazed. Concern for Andreas’s elderly mother clouding his previously happy face. Blimey, you never knew what was next on the horizon. One minute enjoying a sunny fun-filled day, the other in a hospital dash.

‘Shall we pack up now, too?’ Cath suggested. It somehow seemed wrong to stay there, eating and sunbathing, the magic of the day having been broken by the sad news.

‘Yes, that sounds a good idea,’ Will agreed.

‘It’s been a lovely day though up to now,’ Lily said.

‘Yeah, it really has.’

‘Fingers crossed she’ll be okay,’ Nikki said.

‘Yeah, bless her. What a worry for the lads,’ added Will. ‘Come on then, Shirley. Let’s get this show back on the road to Tilldale.’

They gathered up bags and Tupperware boxes, bottles and cans, the rounders set, folded rugs back into squares, and pulled out the windbreaks, rolling them tight. Will’s car was going to be loaded to the gills.

Shirley looked up at them packing up and gave a small whine, as though she understood something was up with her owners now gone. ‘Here, you can carry the ball back.’ Cath offered the terrier the green tennis ball, which the dog took and held proudly in her mouth.