‘Leave it.’ She pauses. ‘I can see the telly better in the dark.’ It is true that Rick rarely takes his eyes off the television, but Rebecca doesn’t think that’s the reason he’s stopped her. Still, she lets the curtain drop and goes over to the sofa. ‘I’m going to go in a minute. Do you have what you need?’ She plumps up the pillows unnecessarily, looks for anything out of place. ‘You get going. I’m fine.’ She walks across and checks the side table next to the lounge chair, re-counts the pills, just to be sure. ‘Now remember you have to take these at five, if I’m not here.’ ‘Don’t fuss, I’ll remember.’ She sighs and makes for the door. Before she leaves, she glances back. Rick’s face is in profile – his eyes hidden by puffed cheeks, his white hair unbrushed and greasy, and his jaw covered by a long, heavy beard that he refuses to trim. To look at him you wouldn’t think there was anything much wrong, but Rebecca wonders how much time he has left.
