Visit Grandpa Leon

"You go ahead," Vicky said. "I'm just going to check in on Grandpa."

Brandon looked surprised. "You don't trust the nurse?"

"It's not that," Vicky said, shaking her head. "If his health is as bad as it sounds, he probably won't have the energy to stay long after dinner."

"Fair enough," said Brandon with a shrug. "Don't be too long. It'll be weird hanging in the dining hall without you."

"I won't."

Vicky knocked on her Grandpa’s bedroom door as Brandon headed back along the hall. After a short delay, she heard the door unlock and open, revealing Helena’s face through the gap.

“Oh, Vicky,” she said in surprise, opening the door fully. “Is something wrong?”

“Not at all, I was just wondering if I could say hi to Grandpa. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other and I might not get a chance after dinner.”

Helena looked thoughtful before answering, “Just a moment,” and closing the door.

After another pause the door opened again, with Helena standing to one side.

“He’s not feeling the best, but said he’d be happy to see you. He’s very fragile, so please try to avoid putting any strain on him.”

“Of course,” said Vicky, following her inside.

The room was exquisitely furnished, with practically everything being a deep red or gold. Leon himself was dressed in a burgundy robe, seated in a wheelchair with his eyes closed.

They snapped open at the sound of approaching footsteps and Vicky saw her grandfather’s face crease into a wide smile.

“Vicky!” he crackled, his voice dry but energetic. “Mon cheri, is that you? God, but you look beautiful, is that really the little girl I saw only ten years ago?”

“Nine, Grandpa,” Vicky said, kneeling at his side.

“Nine!” Leon rasped. “Mon Dieu, but it’s hard to keep track of time. Here, give your old grandpa a hug.”

He made to stand up out of his chair, but both Vicky and Helena hurriedly sat him back down again, with Vicky carefully hugging him in his seated position.

“I’m not dead yet,” he protested, though it was clear the effort had taken a toll on him.

“Are they taking good care of you?” Vicky asked, and her grandfather’s smile made it clear that being tended to by someone as pretty as Helena was all the care an old man could demand.

“You should head to the dining hall,” he said with a grin. “Don’t want the rest of the family thinking I play favourites, do we?”

“I thought I was your favourite,” Vicky said as she nodded to Helena and stood up.

“Mais oui,” Leon’s voice followed her out of the room. “But that’s for us to know and them to find out!”