Page 63 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
‘I get it. I’ll speak to you tomorrow maybe?’
‘Yes.’
He’d been saying goodbye when Ottilie ended the call. She hadn’t really been listening, distracted by Chloe’s arrival.
At that same moment, a doctor came from the treatment area and called Stacey over. All three women went to speak to him.
‘Our tests have all been clear so far,’ he said. He glanced at Chloe. ‘Are you mum?’
Chloe nodded. ‘Is he going to be all right?’
‘We’re going to keep him in overnight for observation. We think it might be a viral infection – nothing life-threatening, but better to err on the side of caution. You’re welcome to stay with him, but I’m afraid all three of you can’t do that.’
‘That’s OK.’ Chloe gave Stacey a tight smile. ‘I’ll do it.’
Stacey turned to the doctor. ‘Could I stay in here then? I don’t want to leave her alone.’
He paused, and then nodded. ‘I’ll see if I can sort beds out in Mackenzie’s room for you both. Bear with me on that.’
Ottilie was wondering how she was going to get home as they’d driven over in Stacey’s car, when Stacey turned to her.
‘I could run you home and then come back?’
‘Don’t do that – it’ll take ages. I’m sure I can get a cab.’
‘Out here at this time of night? You’ll be lucky, and it would cost you an arm and a leg. Let me take you home – it’s the least I can do after all you’ve done.’
Ottilie hesitated and then nodded. Much as she wanted to refuse the offer, she could see that Stacey had a point. And perhaps it would do her good to get out of the emergency department for an hour anyway. Chloe was a young mum but perfectly capable of being there for her son. In fact, in many ways Chloe was more capable. Where Stacey had been at her wits’ end, Chloe looked worried but calm.
‘Only if it’s no problem.’
The doctor walked away. Chloe hugged Stacey and then followed him while Stacey got out her car keys.
‘Let’s go then,’ she said wearily.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
‘I won’t come in.’ Stacey pulled on the handbrake but left the engine ticking over.
‘Oh God, of course not,’ Ottilie said. ‘I’m sure you’re desperate to get back. Thanks so much for bringing me home, but I could have got?—’
‘No you couldn’t. I wanted to do it, but I will head back if that’s OK.’
‘Let me know as soon as you have news.’
‘I will, but it’s sounding hopeful, isn’t it?’
‘Very.’ Ottilie gave Stacey her most reassuring smile.
After a brief hug and more thanks, Ottilie got out and watched as Stacey drove away before turning to her garden path. It was dark, but there was a soft light from the solar lanterns she’d hung from the tree that shaded her front door. It was strange to think that not so long ago she found being out here at night nerve-racking. Scary even. But now she couldn’t imagine a safer place. A lot had changed since her arrival in Thimblebury, and much of it without her really noticing.
But as she slotted her key into the lock, her eye was caught by a large, upturned plant pot underneath her window. She removed the key and went over to take a closer look.
The rose bush that had been in it was lying on the lawn in a mound of soil. Someone had gone to the trouble of tipping it out so they could use the pot. To do what? To stand on it? If they’d thought to use it to look through her window there was no need because it was low enough for anyone to see in. It didn’t make any sense – but that didn’t mean Ottilie wasn’t rattled by it. Who would do something like this and why? There didn’t seem to be any reason for it, but there was no doubt it was a deliberate action – it had to be. If it had been knocked over by a passing fox, the shrub wouldn’t have been pulled out in the way it had.
She thought about calling Heath, suddenly feeling she’d be grateful for his presence, but then decided against it. He’d probably be heading to bed by now, and he had so far to drive she didn’t want to drag him out for this.
Another thought occurred to her. What if someone had been trying to break in? It seemed unlikely, but it might explain the pot. Had they tried and failed? Or had they succeeded and were in there now?
