Why can't I download an updated version of the pages app?

Because Apple presently requires the installation of Catalina or Big Sur in order to download the current versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote in the Mac App Store. You are at the end of the road for upgrades as High Sierra is as far as you can go on a 2010 Macbook.

I have Catalina and still can't even find a place to download the application, in the store or anywhere else. As well, I've had to force quit Pages as it doesn't respond. So what's happening all of sudden with Pages and Apple? I would dread going back to Word!

Some of these Mac App Store installs take longer than they should, and some go part way and start over. Ten minutes may not be enough, but if 30 minutes go by, I would reboot the Mac, check that you are not out of Available storage, and try the Pages Update again.

There is only one place to get Pages while running Catalina and that is the Mac App Store.

I've done that...a few times...but there is no download there. Also tried changing browsers but no success there. Any attempt to open a document or the application gets 'not responding.'

What do you suppose the Update button does? It downloads and updates the existing full Pages application to version 11.0.

As I indicated 'Update' doesn't go anywhere. I started it again for your benefit 10 minutes ago and it's still spinning.