Page 80 of The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright

Elaine’s face falls. ‘Oh. Oh dear.’

‘She’s probably working. She’s a radiographer so the night shift, maybe?’

‘Here?’ Elaine points to the ground but I know she’s asking if Cora works at StHelen’s.

‘No.’ I sigh. ‘A private hospital, outside town.’

‘Oh. Oh dear,’ she says again.

‘It’s okay. I’m feeling much better anyway so?—’

‘Bea.’ Elaine shuts me down, sounding both irritated and frustrated. ‘You need to stay for observation, that’s just how it is. I can’t let you back to work like this. What if you pass out on the ward? You need to see the doctors in the morning and get the all-clear.’

‘But Ellie?—’

‘I’ll take her,’ Elaine says.

I choke on air. I couldn’t possibly take Elaine up on her offer to watch Ellie, for a variety of reasons. Ellie doesn’t know Elaine, and I’m sure spending the night in a stranger’s house would be distressing for her. But more so because, as soon as Ellie does get comfortable, Elaine will start asking questions, which will inevitably lead to Ellie spilling the beans.

My heart races.

‘Oh, Elaine, that’s so kind but?—’

‘No buts, Bea. You’re staying.’

Every inch of me wants to fight Elaine on this, but it’s not as if I can get up and go home. And even if I could, Elaine won’t let me back to work until I have the all-clear.

Defeated, I try one last approach.

‘Just let me make one more call?’ I say.

‘Sure.’

I press call with shaky fingers and hold the phone to my ear. The answer comes after a single ring.

‘Hello.’

‘Hi. It’s Bea. I need a favour.’

‘Oh.’

‘I’m at the hospital. They want me to stay the night. Could you take Ellie, please? I wouldn’t ask but it’s just?—’

‘I’m on the way.’

I lower the phone and Elaine looks at me with a gentle but measured expression that asks,well?

‘He’s coming,’ I say, holding Ellie tight and feeling beyond grateful for Shayne.

THIRTY-THREE

Ellie falls asleep in the crook of my arm while we wait for Shayne. It’s not a long wait, but it’s still enough time for my mind to race. I run over a potential conversation when he arrives. I should probably start with an apology.I’m sorry for calling out of the blue, I know you didn’t give me your number so I could turn you into my emergency contact. I cringe, just thinking about it.I owe you so much more than a coffee. I don’t have anyone else. I am almost thirty years old and the only constant in my life is my four-year-old.

I must drift off to sleep again, because my eyes shoot open to raised voices on the corridor.

‘I’ve been home for a few weeks,’ I recognise Shayne’s voice saying.

‘Does your father know you’re in the country?’ Elaine asks, and her tone is laced with hurt.

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