Chapter Nineteen
In the months following her surgery, Joan decided to leave her position at Wentworth. Although she sometimes lost balance and would need to use a cane, things were looking good. Ann had continued to support her through her rehabilitation and transition to home life. Bridget would visit Joan every few weeks to keep tabs on her progress. During her last two visits, she noticed an absence of anything that shouted Ann.
“Is Ann out?”
“Umm, yes, running errands,” Joan said without elaborating.
Bridget wanted to ask more but something about Joan’s answer made her swallow her questions.
The visits, which started as a duty in response to her friendship with Vera, were becoming more and more enjoyable. Bridget was captivated by Joan’s intellect and vast knowledge. If there ever was a “renaissance woman”, Joan would certainly be the first runner-up. She was cultured and refined. Bridget felt herself attracted to Joan. She was beginning to understand Vera’s love and devotion to this woman before her, especially the “new” Joan who was soft-spoken and kind. Her days as the scary, plotting mastermind of Wentworth seemed so long ago.
Joan surprised Bridget with the adoption of an abandoned welsh corgi from a local animal rescue group.
“These little buggers shed 365 days a year,” Joan laughed at the notorious shedding of corgis.
Bridget could not wrap her head around the fact that an obsessive Joan could put up with a dog, let alone shedding, without having a breakdown.
She wanted to tell Vera but Joan had made her promise, “Don’t tell Vera.”