‘So there’s no chance of a claim against the hospice?’
Ayesha shrugged. ‘Can’t see it meself.’
Mary thought for a moment. ‘What about her daughter? Does she—does she know?’
Ayesha shrugged her shoulders. ‘Must do. Harrie or someone would’ve contacted her. I expect it was a relief.’
Mary nodded. ‘It’s all over.’
‘Exactly. There was plenty of warning, we all knew it was going to happen. And that poor girl’s been carrying the load, hasn’t she? What’s she called? Miranda?’
‘Yes, Miranda.’
Ayesha snorted. ‘And anyway—Mrs K wasn’t the nicest of mothers. Remember what she said to me?’
Mary winced, suddenly feeling awkward. ‘Yes, I know…’
‘Remember?’ repeated Ayesha. ‘She didn’t want any of my sort near her. Hah! She was a nasty old witch.’
‘Ayesha! You can’t say that. It’s just—you know—some of these old people—they can be…’
‘She was nasty. Just plain nasty.’ Ayesha drank the last of her tea and looked at Mary.
Mary glanced round the canteen. People were finishing their breakfasts, picking up their trays, clattering them onto the stands.
‘Going back to the office?’ she asked Ayesha.
Normally, Mary liked sharing the little office with Ayesha. She thought of it as snug: just big enough for two desks and two computers. But, if Ayesha had a fault, it was her love of the radio. Left to herself, she’d draw up reports and reply to difficult emails with a background of constant chatter. Today, Mary was updating patient records, often looking at two or three files at once to find the most recent information. And all the time –
‘According to the Met Office’s most recent information,’ said the radio announcer, ‘this will be an unprecedented month, probably the wettest February on record. Over eight thousand people have been forced out of their homes and there are two hundred and seventy-eight severe weather warnings across the UK. And now, for the latest from Worcester—’
Mary couldn’t stand it any longer.
‘Ayesha! Turn that bloody thing off! I’m trying to concentrate.’
She regretted her words straight away: she didn’t argue with Ayesha. Why was she feeling so tense? It was that drive through the flooded fields—Mary now realised how close she’d come to a dangerous accident. Should she apologise? To her relief, Ayesha switched the radio off.