One Summer in Paris(108)

She swallowed the last of the chocolate. “What happened to my mum?”

“I don’t exactly know. She stayed late for drinks at work. Sometimes she does that, as you know.” His gaze skidded to Grace, and Audrey shook her head.

“Grace is my friend. She knows everything.”

“Right.” Ron gave Grace a quick nod. “Well, like I was saying, she stayed for drinks. Then I got a call from the police. Must have been around midnight. I’d been calling her phone and I was worried. They told me she’d been hit by a car and was in hospital.”

“Was the driver drunk?” Was it crazy that she was almost hoping that was the case?

“No, love.” Ron’s voice was gentle. “It was your mum who was drunk. The driver was in shock. He said she just stepped out with no warning. He didn’t even have time to swerve.”

Audrey could picture it, and the picture was shocking.

“She could have been killed.”

“Yes.” Ron took another sip of coffee. “So we have to talk about what happens next.”

“B-but you’re not leaving? I thought, maybe if you knew—I mean, she does drink too much—” Audrey couldn’t get the words to come out properly, and Ron patted her hand awkwardly.

“I know what she is, Audie. I know she drinks. I’ve always known. I love her anyway. I had a few issues myself in that direction. I’m ten years sober. Still go to meetings.”

The noise around her faded. She forgot Grace was sitting there. She forgot everything.

Ron?

Audrey stared at him. “I didn’t know.”

“First time I met her, all she did was talk about you.” Ron pushed one of the brownies toward her. “She loves you a hell of a lot, but I guess you know that.”

She hadn’t known that. Not really.

Audrey ignored the brownie. If she ate any more sugar she’d end up being admitted to this hospital herself. “I—I love her, too.”

“I told her that, but when you’re drinking your brain can play tricks on you.”

Audrey still couldn’t believe it. “You still go to meetings after ten years?”

“Yes. And your mum has already promised to come to a meeting with me.”

“She has?” Hope blossomed. “I hope that happens.”

“I feel bad you came rushing back. Maybe I shouldn’t have called you. Did I do the wrong thing?” He finished his coffee and scrunched the cup in his hand. “I’ve never had a daughter. Not that I’m pretending I’m your dad or anything. That’s why I called. I didn’t think it was my place to keep it from you.”

“I’m glad you called.” Audrey gave up on her coffee. It tasted like poison, especially after Grace’s coffee. Ron’s stomach must be lined with lead or something. “And I’m glad you told me everything. Shall we go and see her now?”

“If you’re up to it.” Ron stood up. “Just to warn you, she doesn’t look too good. She’s a bit bruised. I don’t want you to freak.”

Audrey made a mental vow to keep her freaking internal. “I’m okay.”

Ron squeezed her arm. “That’s my girl. I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but everything is going to work out. We’ll figure it out. You know what I always say—”

“—as long as no one is dead, it will be fine.”

“Exactly. If everyone is still alive, then there are things we can do.”

Audrey choked on a laugh. That response was totally Ron. He was so laid-back he was practically horizontal. He was perfect for her mother. Why hadn’t she seen that before?

They took the lift up to the ward, and Grace chatted to Ron. Did he need fresh clothes? Could she fetch him something? Was there anything practical she could do while he and Audrey visited Linda?

“I like your friend,” Ron said as Grace vanished to call David.

Audrey nodded. “She’s the kindest person I’ve ever met.” It occurred to her that he must be exhausted. “If you’ve been here all night, you should have a break. Go home, get some sleep or something.”

“Plenty of time for sleep later.” Ron paused outside the entrance to the ward. “I’ll stick around, if that’s all right with you. We’re a family now, aren’t we?”

“Yes. Yes, we are.” Audrey felt a pressure in her chest. Family. It was surprising how good that one word sounded. How good it felt.

A nurse showed them where her mother was, and Audrey was grateful that Ron had given her warning because the bruising on her face was scary.

“Hi, Mum.” She leaned down to kiss her, and when her mother started to cry, Audrey’s stomach knotted. At first it felt like every time before, and then it became clear that this time was different. This wasn’t a drunken sobfest, these were genuine tears of regret and hopelessness. And although seeing her mother cry broke her heart, Audrey no longer felt that horrible guilt that the whole thing was somehow her fault. It was one of the many things Grace had taught her. She wasn’t a bad daughter. She hadn’t done anything to cause this. The only person responsible for her mother’s problems was her mother.

“Don’t cry, Mum.” She hugged her mother gently. “Don’t cry.”