Page 89 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
Ottilie folded her arms tighter still – any tighter and there was a danger she might squeeze herself to death. But she was so tense, so afraid of what might come next, and yet also determined not to let anyone – not even Heath – walk all over her. And it was starting to feel like that. She was agreeable andtolerant and could compromise when the situation called for it, but there had to be a limit – even for her. Where was the point at which a relationship stopped being equal? Was it when things went that way, or when theyfeltthat way? Because this one was beginning to feel like it.
They were silent as these thoughts ran through her head. Was he thinking the same thing? Ottilie wasn’t going to ask because she feared the answer, but even if she’d intended to ask the opportunity was snatched away by her phone ringing in her pocket. She wasn’t going to answer it because it felt like the worst timed phone call in history, but then Heath nodded at the location of the sound.
‘Aren’t you going to get that?’
Escape route, she thought vaguely, but perhaps he had a point. No matter how important the call might be, she supposed it might diffuse the tension to leave the conversation for a moment.
Taking the phone out, she noted Lavender’s name on the caller ID.
‘Is everything all right?’
‘Not really. I was on my way in and I heard this huge crash. It came from your house, so I ran over thinking you might be in trouble, but when I got here someone was lying on the ground…I think she’s hurt.’
‘I don’t understand…’ Ottilie frowned. ‘Someone at my house?’
‘Outside your house. Like in the garden.’
Ottilie glanced at Heath. They were a long way from being finished here, but if there was an issue at her house she needed to be there.
‘OK…can you hang on for me?’
‘Sure.’
‘Is she OK? When you say hurt, how badly?’
‘Well, she’s definitely awake because I’ve had a proper earful from her. But when she tried to walk off she couldn’t, so I think she’s done something to her leg. You’d better hurry up if you want to talk to her; she’s phoned someone to come and get her and I think he’s on his way.’
‘Is it someone local?’ Ottilie asked, and then shook her head. ‘Never mind –, it doesn’t matter.’
‘Actually…’ Lavender paused. ‘Is Heath there?’
‘Yes, but…’
‘Maybe don’t bring him. Or maybe you should bring him – it’s hard to say what’s best.’
‘What do you mean? Is she dangerous?’
Lavender lowered her voice. ‘She’s definitely a whack job. Ottilie, I may as well tell you because you’ll find out in a few minutes anyway. It’s Heath’s ex.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ottilie hurried from the party, Heath following.
When they got there, Ottilie could see the lamplit figure of Mila sitting on the garden wall, glaring at Lavender, who stood with her arms folded glaring back.
‘Well, here comes the cavalry,’ Mila said as she looked up to see Ottilie and Heath arrive.
‘What’s going on?’ Ottilie glanced between Lavender and Mila, inviting whoever wanted to go first to fill her in.
‘She won’t tell me,’ Lavender said. ‘I’ve asked her about five times now.’
‘She’ll answer me!’ Heath said, making a move towards her.
Ottilie held him back. She looked down at Mila’s foot. Even in the gloom of the evening light she could see it was swollen. ‘Does that hurt?’ she asked.
Mila shifted her weight on the wall, but it was obvious from the careful way she moved that it did. ‘Why would you care?’
‘Because she’s a normal human being,’ Heath said. ‘Why are you here?’
