Page 48 of Wild Tonic
Knowing it was fruitless to argue, Nate did as he was told and a couple of seconds later, Poppy joined him.
“Tell me what happened,” demanded Poppy, trying to keep her voice down.
“India was playing with Clem while I took a nap.”
Poppy rolled her eyes. “I knew it was something to do with her.”
“Seriously, Poppy, do you think Clem would want to harm our daughter?” Nate shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then why did she end up in hospital?”
“If Clem hadn’t have noticed what was wrong, then it could have been a whole lot worse. Her nephew had croup a while ago and she recognised the symptoms. If it weren’t for her, and Magda, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Hearing the explanation, Poppy softened, as if realising she was the one in the wrong. “Oh,” she said, her voice barely audible.
“I think you might owe her an apology.”
His ex-wife nodded. “As soon as we know everything’s fine with India, I’ll do just that.”
They stood in silence for a while, hearing the doctor talking to India in broken English.
“She knows way more Spanish than I do,” admitted Nate. He gave Poppy a wry smile. “I panicked. I didn’t know what to do.”
Poppy reached out and touched his arm. “I would have been the same in a foreign country.” She smiled back.
The doctor pulled back the curtain. “I think India will be ready to go home soon. I’ll sort out some fever medication, and I suggest you get a cool-mist humidifier for wherever you are staying. Then make sure she gets plenty of fluids and keep her upright where possible.”
Nate recognised some of the things Clem had been doing while they waited for the ambulance. His heart contracted as he realised exactly what she’d done for India. While the doctor went and sorted out the prescription, Poppy picked India up. The little girl snuggled into her mother’s arms and the three of them walked out into the waiting room, where Clem and Parker were.
“Everything okay?” asked Parker. He went to Poppy and embraced the two of them.
Clem hung back, her eyes wide and her brow furrowed. She didn’t say anything. Nate went over to her and slid an arm around her waist.
“It’s all fine,” said Poppy. She turned to Clem. “And I believe we have you to thank for that. I’m sorry. It seems I may have been rather harsh on you.”
He felt Clem stiffen. “It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear. “She knows that it was you who recognised India’s symptoms.”
“Nate told me your nephew went through the same thing. I’m pleased you were able to spot the signs with India before it got any worse.”
India held her hands out to Clem and Poppy passed her over.
“I think she wants to say thank you too,” said Nate. He watched as his little girl pulled Clem in for a kiss.
He wanted to do exactly the same thing.
And at precisely that moment, Poppy slid to the floor.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“I’m not happy about leaving India with that girl.” Poppy chewed her lip as she stared out of the taxi window.
“Come on, Poppy, I thought we’d talked about this. We’re going to give Clem a chance because Nate is clearly besotted with her and we should support him.” Parker waited a beat. “Like he supported us.”
Poppy sighed. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just hard to get my head around. I mean, what can he possibly see in a glamorous, rich woman in her early twenties with her whole life ahead of her?”
“By all accounts, I’m not sure the rich label is going to stick for much longer.” Nate had confided to Parker what Clem’s family had done. He was shocked, unable to comprehend how those closest to Clem had set out to destroy her happiness. “And I know you have at least one Stelle D’Oro t-shirt in your wardrobe.”
“Ha, yes, you’re right, I do.” Poppy reached for his hand. “I’m fretting over nothing, aren’t I? I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. My mood is all over the place.”
