Listen by Kate Veitch Page A

The truly dedicated people like you guys?’
    Deborah smiled as Robert nodded his earnest agreement. James the peacemaker , she thought. He’s amazing. The doorbell rang at that moment and Robert cried, ‘Ah, that’ll be our Merry girl! I’ll let her in, shall I?’
    ‘Hope she’s not too bloody merry,’ said Deborah, raising one eyebrow meaningfully.
    Meredith was bubbling with apologies and suspiciously high spirits. As quickly as possible, Deborah got all the siblings settled in the living room and was opening her mouth to speak when Angus came in. She looked at him impatiently.
    ‘Sorry to interrupt,’ he said. ‘I’m off to the gym, and you guys will probably be gone by the time I get back, so I hope everything goes well.’
    ‘Oh, Angus,’ cried Meredith, ‘I’ve hardly even had a chance to say hello to you! How are you? And when are you going to that, um, big school reunion?’
    ‘I’m just fine, Merry, thanks,’ he said, stooping to kiss his sister-in-law on the cheek. ‘And the reunion was terrific, but it was months ago.’
    ‘Was it? Gosh. Must be that long since I’ve seen you,’ she said with a giggle.
    ‘Must be. Bye, Deb.’ He kissed his wife’s cheek, too, which was all she offered. ‘I’ll be a few hours. I need a proper workout.’
    As Angus was leaving the room, Olivia entered carrying a tray with the plate of crackers and cheese, a bottle of sparkling mineral water and some glasses.
    ‘Mum, I’ll be doing my homework. Just call out if you need anything else,’ she said quietly as she set the tray down.
    Her mother nodded, her uncles and aunt all made littlecomplimentary exclamations. Olivia smiled at them and left the room, pulling the door almost-to behind her. Deborah, seated in her favourite green leather chair, was about to call out to Olivia to close it properly when Robert distracted her with an authoritative attention please noise.
    ‘Shall we commence the meeting?’ he asked, and rose from his seat on the couch next to Meredith to stand at the table nearby, his hands clasped loosely behind his back.
    Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls , thought Deborah.
    ‘Well. Thank you for coming here this evening, and to Deb for having us. I know we’ll all be enjoying James and Silver’s marvellous hospitality the weekend after next, but I didn’t think that would be the right occasion for this discussion.’ Robert paused to take an A4 notepad from his briefcase. ‘Now. Thanks to Vesna, I do have some information, albeit somewhat speculative at this stage, about our father’s health. I’m afraid it’s not looking particularly like good news.’
    Meredith gave a little moan. ‘Oh no. I can’t bear this. I just can’t bear it if anything’s the matter with Daddy.’ Her features, already a little blurry, softened further as tears welled in her large hazel eyes.
    ‘Meredith, for heaven’s sake!’ said Deborah. ‘Let Robert start, at least, before you decide to fall to pieces!’
    Robert leaned over and gave his younger sister’s shoulder a consoling squeeze. ‘It’s all right, Merry. Don’t worry.’ Meredith sniffled but managed a brave little smile.
    ‘Very well then. After I spoke to Vesna – after you rang us, James – she dropped in to Dad’s place.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Deborah, a statement of disapproval rather than an exclamation.
    ‘She was in the area, on her way to address a diabetes support group, Deb,’ said Robert defensively. His voice sharpened. ‘And as I understand it, you did request her input.’
    ‘Was he home?’ asked James quickly.
    ‘Yes. Yes, he was. And Vesna found him in a surprisingly agitated state. Some mix-up about a bill – his credit card statement, there was something on it he swore he hadn’t bought. Vesna had her kit with her, of course, so she took his blood pressure. You know how he’s been on medication for his high blood pressure for years?’
    Deborah nodded; Meredith looked vague. ‘Has he?’ said