Daisy makes her way through Beth’s surprisingly large room, which is more like an apartment really. It too is decorated beautifully. This time a calm, baby blue colour covers the walls. The word serene comes to mind. Hudson places his hand against my lower back as we follow Daisy through the French doors and onto the patio beyond her room. An inconspicuous ramp slants down from the doors to the path. To our left I can see a dark-haired woman sitting in a wheelchair. Her hair is long and shiny, held off her face in a plait that Max would be impressed with, and her head is supported by a raised headrest. My stomach does a little flip as I see her delicate hands resting on her lap, and the thinness of her body encased in a huge cream blanket. From my position I can only see her profile, but it’s enough to know she is beautiful, etherealalmost.
“Beth, you have a visitor,” Daisy says gently as she bends down in front of her so that Beth can see her directly. “Hudson’s arrived. Would you like to seehim?”
Beth doesn’t speak, but she must indicate it’s okay another way because Daisy stands and beckons Hudson over. I make a move forward, but she shakes her head at me. “One at a time, okay?” shemouths.
“Sure,” I saysoftly.
Hudson looks at me for reassurance and I lean in and give him a kiss. “I’ll be righthere.”
Daisy comes to stand by me as Hudson approaches Beth. He too bends down in front of her. I watch his expression change from abject fear to a bright smile as he leans forward and presses a kiss against her cheek. Beth’s eyes close briefly at the soft passing of his lips against her skin. My heart aches a little at the contact, not because I am jealous of such a show of affection, but because I can sense the sadness and longing she feels. I can’t imagine how horrific it must be to be trapped in a body that doesn’t want to workanymore.
For a few minutes Hudson talks to Beth about everyday stuff. He is sweet with her, caring. Not once does he show just how much he’s affected by her condition and in this moment, I love him even more than I thought possible. Hudson looks up at me and shakes his head minutely. Daisy presses her fingers lightly on myarm.
“I don’t think today is the best day to introduce you to Beth,” she sayssoftly.
“It isn’t? How do you know that?” How does Hudson, given she hasn’t uttered aword?
“Her face is very expressive. She might not talk much, but she speaks to us in her own way. Over the years we’ve all learnt how to read Beth.” Daisy smiles kindly. “Come on, let me show you the orangery. It’s really rather lovely inthere.”
I glance over at Hudson, who is holding onto Beth’s hand. She is staring intently at him. He must feel my gaze because he looks up briefly, an apologetic look crossing hisface.
“We’re going for a stroll, be back in a bit,” Daisysays.
Daisy and I walk along the path, towards the orangery. She stops every now and then to say hello to other residents, introducing me as a friend of Beth’s. Most people are happy to chat for a while, whilst others avoid conversation. Eventually we get to a point where we can talk morefreely.
“How long have you worked here?” Iask.
“I started four years back. When my last resident passed away, I was assigned to Beth. She’s a lovelywoman.”
“Hudson’s told me a lot abouther…”
“He’s a good man, your Hudson. There are some relatives and friends who just can’t cope with seeing the people they love so entirely different to what they once were. At first, they visit regularly, then those visits dwindle. It’s sad, but I see it happen a lot,unfortunately.”
“I can imagine. Hudson says Beth suffers with post-traumatic stressdisorder.”
“That’s right. Her ordeal was horrific, and she withdrew into herself. It’s common in cases such as hers, but lately she has been saying the odd word here and there. We’ve had to tread carefully. We don’t want anything to prevent her from progressing further. Which is why…” Daisy holds the door to the orangery open forme.
“Which is why I wasn’t introduced,” I say, finishing the sentence forher.
“Beth has trouble communicating verbally because of what happened to her. There are days when she is lost within herself, and it takes some time to coax her out. We don’t want anything to set her back. Your relationship with Hudson could have a negative impact on her. Hudson could tell just by being with her that it might be apossibility.”
“Iunderstand.”
Daisy and I walk into the centre of the orangery and sit on a wooden bench. Behind us a large vine is growing along the glass. It’s warmer in here than it is outside, so much so I have to remove myjacket.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and Hudsonmeet?”
Daisy is genuinely interested, and I don’t feel as though she’s prying atall.
“I met Hudson, Bryce and Max in Alpe D’Huez inFrance.”
“Ah, yes. I remember Hudson saying they were going skiing over Christmas. He came to visit Beth before he left. Were you staying in the sameresort?”
“The samechalet…”
She looks at me a little confused. Ilaugh.
“I was their chaletgirl.”