CHAPTER TWENTY NINE – BREAD AND WATER

Anne and Aidan stood in Anne's kitchen early that morning. She had a small purple wheelie case at her side.

"If it is just for one night why are you bringing the case?" he asked impatiently.

"Peter's doctor said if he is a little too groggy or takes too long coming out from the aesthetic he may need to stay up there the night, and it's not really feasible for me to come back here just to go back up again to collect him."

Aidan looked worried.
"I'll call you, if anything comes up or changes I promise to ring."

"I just don't see why someone else can't do this for him, you're not Assumpta."

"I know," she sighed, "but I, we, are the only ones he can trust right now, and he has no family left to speak of."
"OK ok, either way please call me?"
"Deal."

"I love you."

Anne stepped back and looked at Aidan. He had never said he loved her before and after saying it just briefly he realized it himself. He took Anne in his arms and kissed her warmly before she could say anything and took her case to the door.

"Looks like the taxi is waiting, I won't keep you."
"Not a word now," Anne smiled, "To anyone."
"I know I know."

Anne slid into the taxi next to Peter smiling as they drove on to the train station.

"Come on, what's eating you? You've had that grin on your face since we left Ballyk," Peter asked as they settled into their seats on Irish Rail.

"Nothing, I'm fine really."
"Come on, tell me."
"Ok. Aidan said he loved me this morning for the first time," she smiled practically bursting.

"That's very good news."

"I know!"

"Did you say it back?"
"Um no."
"No?!"

"It was all rather rushed."

"I see."
"What?"

"Nothing, that's great news Anne. Really it is."

Anne and Peter entered the doctor's clinic and waited patiently for his name to be called. Peter was taken into the consultation room, and his doctor asked if Mr. Clifford's daughter would like to join them. Anne chuckled a little, nodded and followed them into the room.

"The procedure is going to be relatively straight forward and outpatient. We drill a small hole into the skull where we put in a probe. We cut off the nerve that has control of the tremor and you will be right as rain. Providing you wake up and feel well enough you can go home today, but if you want to stay over we have a room in the hospital just on standby," the doctor explained.

Peter squeezed Anne's hand.

"Right Mr. Clifford that is all there is to it basically, do you have any questions?"

"No all good," Peter smiled.

"I'll see you when you get done," Anne said forcing a smile and stifling a few tears.

"It's ok Miss Clifford your Dad will be just fine."

A few hours went by before anyone came to speak to Anne. She waited patiently playing games on her phone and flipping through old and worn magazines when the doctor finally arrived.

"Miss Clifford?"

"Yes," Anne smiled.

"Your father has come through the procedure just fine, he is very tired though and has requested to stay on the night if that is ok with you?"
"Fine, just fine, may I see him now?"
"Of course, this way."

The doctor led Anne into a recovery room where Peter sat up, looking tired but saying he overall felt well.

"I'm sorry you'll be up here another night," Peter whispered.

"Hey its fine! This is why we packed bags remember? I rang a friend I will stay with her tonight and come back in the morning, no big deal, besides this gives me loads of time to catch up with old friends."

Anne checked the text on her phone, it had turned out her friend's weren't in town but she still had the let of their apartment. She faked a smile at the message, kissed Peter on the forehead and took their cases to her accommodation. The apartment was basic at best but the bed was comfortable and now that everyone was sorted in their own way she slipped on her coat and headed out the door in search of wine.