Page 74 of New Beginnings At Pencarrow Bay
They all waited in silence, Peggy praying that Chris Jenks, the GP, would answer at this time of night– it was nearly midnight. When, thankfully, he did, Quentin, starting up his buggy and moving away from Lindy and the others, began to speak to him in a low voice.
Peggy gazed at the crumpled figure on the bench and felt so sorry for her. She looked traumatized, defeated.
When Quentin returned, he told them, ‘Chris says to bring her to his. He and Cara will drive her to a clinic in Truro. He doesn’t think she should be in the house with the family tonight… for everyone’s sake.’
Peggy breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Shall I help you take her?’ she asked Rory, who looked reassured by the suggestion, probably having visions of Lindy kicking off again at not being allowed back into Lilac House.
‘Stay here.’ Ted sprang to life. ‘I’ll run up and get the car. It’ll be easier than walking her down.’ And without waiting for a response, he was away at pace, tearing up the hill and out of sight into the murky darkness of the lane.
He’s probably thrilled to have an excuse to get away, Peggy thought, feeling a little envious at his reprieve. The atmosphere in the car park was so tense, so awkward. No one wanted to engage with Lindy, in case it triggered her again,but they could hardly talk among themselves– ask all the questions they were gagging to voice– with her sitting there, possibly listening to every word, although she didn’t seem aware of any of them now, her face blank, catatonic.
Peggy watched Paul emerge from the back of the van and cross the car park towards them. ‘I’m off now. Stuff’s loaded up.’ He glanced down at Lindy. ‘Er, everything okay?’ he asked Peggy, in a low voice, obviously seeing from the surrounding faces that it wasn’t.
She pulled him aside. ‘Lindy’s had a bit of an episode. Ted’s getting the car and we’re taking her to the doctor.’
He was taken aback. ‘God, I’m so sorry. Can I do anything to help?’
‘I think we’re all right, but thank you. It was a lovely evening,’ she added, smiling at him, feeling sorry that it’d had to end this way. They said goodnight. Paul went back to his van and jumped in.
34
Rory, bless him, stuck by Lindy’s side, helping her into the back seat of Ted’s Toyota. Peggy insisted on coming too. She was worried about Ted being in the car, in case it sparked more crazy behaviour. But no one spoke on the way down, Lindy hunched, silent, with her eyes closed. It was only a short journey through the village. The Jenks family lived up one of the particularly narrow, almost vertical lanes behind St Piran’s– named, with a wry nod to the bleeding obvious,Steep Hill.
Chris opened the door, pushing his frameless glasses up his nose, his lean tanned face– beneath a balding scalp and large ears that stuck out endearingly– showing concern. He took Lindy’s hand and ushered her over the threshold, calling to his wife, Cara, a trained nurse in her forties whom Peggy had seen swimming in the bay with the other ladies in the flowered caps. Taking Lindy’s arm without any questions, Lindy unusually compliant, Cara walked her away and out of sight.
‘We’ll take it from here,’ Chris told them.
As soon as she and Ted were safely in the car, Peggy let out a long, exhausted breath. She felt as if she’d been holding it since Lindy first attacked Felix. ‘What a nightmare,’ she said quietly, as they drove up the hill. ‘Should we tell Kim and Felix what’s happening?’
‘Chris said he would,’ Ted replied, his voice croaky as ifhe were choked up. ‘Christ. I feel terrible… and the worst fool,’ he added.
‘Let’s not do this now,’ she replied. ‘I’m so tired.’ Given the state they were both in, she was worried one of them would say the wrong thing and the delicate truce that had sprung up between them would be threatened.
Ted nodded. ‘Me too.’ He sounded relieved.
Liam was still up, lying back on the sofa, waiting for them. He had brought Bolt home and the dog was all over Ted as they came through the door.
Peggy flopped beside her son. ‘That was grim… Poor Lindy.’
‘Yeah…’ Liam looked over at Ted. ‘Pretty tricky for you too, I imagine.’
Ted, who was at the sink getting a glass of water, groaned softly, but said nothing.
For a moment there was silence.
Liam dragged himself up off the sofa. ‘I should get some sleep. I need to leave early, beat the traffic.’ He yawned and stretched his arms up towards the ceiling. ‘Listen, thanks for having me, you guys. I know I’ve been a pain at times, but I really appreciate your taking me in and giving me good food, sunshine, a change of scene… time to think. I reckon I’m ready to face the music.’ He gave Peggy a self-deprecating grin.
Looking at him, she realized he looked a lot better than he had when he’d arrived, hollow-eyed and washed out, a week ago. But she didn’t want him to go. Not yet.
‘I hate you leaving in the middle of all this chaos. Couldn’t you stay just one more night, sweetheart? Give us a chance to relax a little, have a nice day together?’ Shedidn’t look at Ted as she spoke, suspecting what his preference might be. He remained silent, leaning against the counter sipping his water.
Liam gave her a smile. ‘Gotta go, Mum. Sorry. Sunday is Nisha’s thirtieth. I have to be bright-eyed and on my game.’
She nodded wearily. ‘No, of course. I understand.’
‘Plan to leave by six. So I’ll say goodbye to you now.’ He pulled a face. ‘Loathe goodbyes anyway.’
Peggy, already feeling bereft, wrapped him in her arms and hugged him close. ‘Love you. Come back soon. Bring Nisha, bring Danny…’ She bit her lip, not trusting her emotions. ‘It’s normally more peaceful here.’
