The Paradise Trees Read Online Free

could help her dig up some of the forgotten memories.
    She wrinkled her nose. ‘Well, it wasn’t exactly yesterday.’
    Frank laughed. ‘Mrs Mullen, ah... reminded me all about you,’ he said, leaning against the cutlery drawer. ‘She even remembered how you and Sonja once let down the tyres on my
bike while I was in buying sweets. I suppose you had your reasons but I can’t remember at all what I’d done to deserve such... such wrath.’
    Alicia grinned at him. He seemed nervous, but that was ridiculous. Maybe he was shy, or possibly it was awkward, having your sister’s old school friend’s parent as a patient.
    ‘I expect we were just being brats. What’s Sonja up to these days?’
    He pulled a face and grinned. ‘Sonja’s an architect, married to an ambassador, three small boys and at the moment they’re living in Paris. Posh dinner parties all the
time.’
    Alicia laughed. ‘Not much like life in Lower Banford, then.’
    ‘You could say that. They’ll be here in a couple of weeks, actually, passing through on the way up north to John’s mother in St Andrews first of all, and then staying with me
the first two weeks in August on their way back. You’ll still be here then, won’t you?’
    Alicia took a deep breath. Wow. Something to look forward to. Summer in Lower Banford might be more fun than she’d anticipated. But first they had to sort her father out. She smiled her
most persuasive smile at Frank Carter.
    ‘I’m glad you’re here. I could use some support to convince Margaret about a care home for my father. It’s getting too much for her here.’
    He looked at her sympathetically. ‘I know, but she’s adamant about keeping Bob at home. And of course she’s right about him still being able to get up the stairs and so on, but
that could change any time and in all other areas he does need a lot of care. I think you’ll have to ride gently for a bit but hopefully she’ll agree in the end. I suppose you’re
only here for the holidays?’
    Alicia suppressed a shudder. ‘Only’ for the holidays... six weeks in Lower Banford sounded like eternity. She nodded at Frank and he leaned back against the table.
    ‘Right. With your say-so I’ll put him on the list for St. Joseph’s, the geriatric hospital in Middle Banford. It’s an excellent place, Alicia. They have a new chief of
nursing now, Doug Patton, and he’s really keen. We can try to get Margaret over there for a visit one day this week, let her see the place for herself.’
    Alicia looked at him appreciatively. At last, someone who was going to help her. ‘Sounds good. I’ll talk to her and get back to you.’
    She handed over a mug of tea, noticing the threadbare cuffs on his jacket and the purple tie that was screaming at the fawn checked shirt. Didn’t he notice what he was putting on in the
morning?
    Margaret appeared in the hallway with Bob shuffling beside her, not looking at any of them. Alicia saw stubbornness written right across her aunt’s face, and felt her own jaw tighten as
she poured tea for her father. The sooner they got this situation sorted, the better.
    Frank followed her into the living room. ‘Let Alicia take over for a bit here, Margaret,’ he said firmly. ‘You should have a complete break, you’re tired and you deserve
it. Does - ’
    ‘Aaaaah!’ The wheezy, guttural sound was coming from deep in the old man’s throat. Alicia stepped back. Her father’s eyes were fixed on hers and his mouth was open.
    Margaret bent over to hug him. ‘Yes, dear, it’s Alicia, back home from Bedford! Isn’t that nice?’ She turned to Alicia, beaming. ‘He knows you, lovey! Isn’t
that wonderful?’
    ‘Aaah ha ha ha,’ said Bob, his eyes never leaving Alicia’s. It almost sounded as if he was laughing.
    ‘That’s right, dear. Alicia. She’s home now. Look, here’s your tea.’
    Margaret helped him with the mug, and Alicia rubbed her face. Shit and hell. As far as she knew her father had never