‘The fire’s burning down. We should go.’
‘Yeah.’ He got to his feet, helping her up, and then kicking at the fire to extinguish it. ‘Perhaps we won’t worry about rebuilding it.’
‘No, we must. I can’t break with tradition, not on my first time here.’ She smiled awkwardly up at him.
Suddenly it was possible to think that they could be just friends who had stumbled over the line by mistake in the darkness. They found bracken and twigs for the new fire, and Ethan built it while Kate watched.
‘That’ll do, I think.’
‘Yes. It’ll do very nicely.’ Maybe the next couple who came up here and put a match to the fire that Ethan had left for them would have better luck and not discover that it had all been a mistake.
Kate took one last look around to make sure that they hadn’t left anything behind and then followed Ethan out of the cave and onto the wide causeway for the long walk back to his car.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NEITHER OF THEM had spoken much on their way back to Ethan’s car and he hadn’t heard from Kate the next day. That was probably for the best. He needed some distance, to get back into the routine of friendship, and he guessed that Kate did too.
All the same, he missed her. The slow meander of Sunday and the morning rush of Monday did nothing to erode the memory of how she’d kissed him. Even the careful, concentrated work of the day couldn’t drive her completely from his thoughts.
He knew that going to see Edie before he left the hospital for the evening might involve bumping into Kate. But Ethan took the risk and the sudden thump in his chest when he saw her sitting at Edie’s bedside told him that he couldn’t just turn around and walk away. Watching from the entrance doors of the ward, he saw the two women carefully unpacking a cloth bag that Kate had laid on the bed. A packet of face wipes, some chocolate and some fruit. Small gifts, each one of which made Edie smile.
‘Oh! Lavender water. Thank you, dear!’ Ethan heard Edie’s exclamation, and saw Kate reach forward, opening the bottle for Edie and tipping it so that she could dab a little onto Edie’s wrist.
‘Behind your ears?’
‘Oh, yes, please. How thoughtful.’
It was thoughtful. A little luxury to chase away the smell of antiseptic. Ethan approached Edie’s bed.
Kate jumped when she saw him and the thought that his presence was responsible for the sudden reddening of her cheeks sent a tingle down Ethan’s spine. He shot Kate a smile and then turned his attention to Edie.
‘How are you?’
‘Much better, thank you. I’ve been a lot of trouble, haven’t I? To a lot of people.’ Edie twisted down the corners of her mouth.
‘No one thinks that.’ Kate patted Edie’s hand. ‘Everyone just wanted you to be safe and we’re glad that you are.’
‘I’ve made a decision.’ Edie gave a firm little nod. ‘My son found a really nice flat in a sheltered housing complex for us, but I said that I could manage Fred. I think it’s time, though. We need a bit of help. And I’d be able to have a nurse in to look after him while I go out with my friends once in a while.’
‘Where is Fred now?’ Ethan knew that hospital was challenging for people with dementia and wondered if there was anything he could do to help.
‘He’s at home. My daughter’s staying with him while I’m here.’ Edie smiled, leaning towards Kate. ‘Actually, it’s rather nice. A bit of a rest.’
‘Well, you’ll have more help when you move into the sheltered accommodation.’ Kate gave a little frown, obviously not sure how Edie might feel about having to move.
‘Yes, I will. I’m rather looking forward to it, actually.’
* * *
‘Nice lady.’ Ethan held the door of the ward open for Kate.
‘Yes. I hope she’ll be all right. It’s a big step, moving into sheltered accommodation.’
‘I don’t see what else she can do. She can’t manage Fred on her own any more.’
Kate nodded. ‘That’s clear enough. And I suppose that life will be much easier for her, once she has help to look after Fred properly. It’s a big change for her, though.’
‘Life’s full of changes. We have to make them into new beginnings.’ When he looked at Kate, Ethan had the courage to say it. Almost the faith to believe it.