Never too late FOR LOVE

Gladys had opened her eyes in more ways than one, but would she heed her advice?

- Jane Corry

The phone rang one Friday night. ‘Sally?’ said the small voice at the other end of the line.

Instantly, Sally knew something was up. Her mum was usually so upbeat and cheerful. Gladys’ favourite saying when Sally was growing up was ‘A smile is the best kind of plaster to heal a wound’. Even when her dad had died unexpectedly five years ago, her mum had put on a brave face and said they should count their blessings that he hadn’t suffered.

‘What’s wrong, Mum?’ asked Sally, waving at the twins to signal that they needed to be quiet for a few moments.

Of course, this was almost impossible. Andy and Annie – who’d turned 16 last month – had just come in from football practice and were arguing about whether a goal from the girls’ side should have been allowed.

The dog was pawing at Sally for a walk, and she had to finish writing up her notes from lectures for her university course today. On top of everything, Jimmy had said he was going to be late home again tonight.

‘Now, don’t panic, Sally, but I’ve had a bit of a fall,’ said Gladys.

In an instant, none of Sally’s other worries seemed important. ‘Are you all right?’ she asked, as her heart began to thump madly. ‘Is someone with you?’

‘Don’t panic, love. I’m fine. I just tripped coming down the stairs. Luckily, I had my mobile on me so I rang my neighbour, who took me to the hospital and…’

‘The hospital?’

‘Best place to be when you’ve broken a leg…’