Page 166 - The Letter By Ann Newhouse

‘Well you know I have had a long and happy life up to this, so I can’t complain at my age’, she laughed moving slowly to the kitchen to make a brew.
‘You’ve done very well looking after yourself, does your son know you’re ill? Have you seen him since Christmas’? I asked concerned.
‘He is very busy with his family and job’, she was making excuses for him, ‘I think it’s time for me to sell his place and find somewhere....’ She seemed to be searching for the right words, ‘safer’.
‘I have been offered a place in a care home, the same one I went to at Christmas. It was very nice, and the staff were very caring’, she seemed to have resigned herself to the upcoming change.
‘That may be the best thing to do’, I conceded, ‘at least you will be looked after and have company’, I felt so much compassion for this kind old lady who was trying to plan her last days while she was still in control.
‘I can send my solicitor, Mr. Henry, his brother is the estate agent I bought the cottage from. They will give you advice and you can trust them’, I assured her.
Although the cottage was in need of repair there was a lot of good grazing land I knew they would get her a good price.
‘What you need to do first is call your son and let him know what you wish to do’, I advised.
‘Yes, Amber you’re right I must push on and start the ball rolling’, she smiled a little relieved and cut a slice of cake each for us.
I mention to Penny about Mrs. Cannon wanting to sell up and she seemed very interested.
A few days later Penny appeared, ‘Amber I wonder if you could look after Shalma for me for a couple of hours? I have an errand to run in town’.