and Anouk would mind babysitting them,’ Belinda said.
Alain shook his head. ‘It will be a short visit, I think. I look after them. We take my car and leave at nine o’clock. D’accord?’
‘Thank you,’ Belinda said.
The next day, once the twins’ safety seats, as well as their buggy, had been transferred to Alain’s 4 x 4 and BB had been handed over to Bernie, they left for the hospice. Chloe, in the back with the twins, quietly reading them their favourite story. Belinda, sitting in the front next to Alain, wondered whether Enzo would be compos mentis enough to know they were there, or whether the drugs would have dulled his mind too much.
Less than an hour later, she was surprised when Alain turned into the hospice grounds. The quiet journey had passed quicker than she’d expected.
Alain parked and turned the engine off. ‘Right. You two, go. The twins and I will walk while we wait.’ He touched Belinda’s arm gently. ‘I hope it is not too difficult for you.’
Belinda gave him a wan smile before she and Chloe got out of the car and walked towards the hospice. Belinda, relieved to see the nurse she knew in the foyer, went straight over to her.
‘Ah, Mrs Marshall, and your daughter. Enzo is more disorientated today than the day you saw him. I think perhaps one person at a time standing by his bedside. If you come first to see him, I’ll fetch her afterwards.’
Belinda nodded and followed her as Chloe went to sit on one of the chairs in the waiting area.
The nurse stayed at the back of the room as Belinda went to stand by the side of her father’s bed and gently took his hand in hers. ‘Dad, it’s me Belinda.’
At her words, his eyes opened briefly and she felt a slight squeeze of her hand before his eyes closed again and he drifted away. Belinda bit her lip as she looked at him. He was definitely weaker today.
The nurse touched her arm. ‘I’ll fetch your daughter.’
Belinda glanced at her and nodded. She sensed that her father was struggling to cope with any interaction. She didn’t want to tire him out. Better to cut her time with him short so that he could meet Chloe.
‘Dad, Chloe, your granddaughter, has come with me today. The nurse will bring her to you.’ She bent and kissed him gently on the forehead. ‘Bye, Dad. God bless.’ Instinct told her she was unlikely to see him again.
Belinda turned as the nurse ushered Chloe into the room and spoke quietly to her.
‘Your granddad is heavily sedated and he’s drifting in and out of consciousness. Hold his hand as you talk to him quietly, tell him who you are, but don’t expect a huge response, if any. Your mother and I will stay at the back of the room. Are you comfortable with that?’ Chloe nodded and walked slowly towards her grandfather.
Standing at the back of the room, watching Chloe as she carefully picked up her grandfather’s hand and gently stroked it, Belinda bit her lip. If only the two of them could have known each other properly.
‘I know you don’t know me, but I’m Chloe, your granddaughter.’ Chloe’s voice, filled with emotion, was barely audible. Belinda could tell she was struggling to hold back the tears.
Several seconds passed as she stood there, looking down at him before Enzo’s eyes fluttered open and he saw his granddaughter for the first time.
‘Hello, ma petite, thank you for coming. You look like my Jean,’ he whispered, giving her a weak smile before his eyes closed again.
Chloe stayed where she was for several more moments, but Enzo didn’t open his eyes again, and she glanced towards Belinda and the nurse.
It was the nurse who moved forward. ‘I think it best if we leave him to sleep,’ and she ushered them out of the room.
Chloe frantically searched for a tissue in her bag as the tears started to fall.
The nurse gave her a sympathetic glance. ‘I know it’s been hard for the two of you, but I think Enzo will pass the happier for seeing you both.’
Belinda exhaled a deep breath. ‘He won’t be alone will he when… the time comes.’
The nurse shook his head. ‘No. I promise someone will be with him. His wife is planning on spending the next few nights here.’
‘And you’ll let me know?’
The nurse nodded. ‘Of course. Goodbye.’
As they left the hospice building, a woman leaning heavily on a cane and walking with