Page 21 of The House at Hope Corner
Flora handed him the glass of water which he cradled in his lap for a moment before taking a sip. He smiled a thank you.
‘I might just go and put the kettle on,’ she said, desperate to remove herself from out under Hannah’s disapproving gaze. ‘I don’t know about you, but I could do with a cup of tea.’ At least in the kitchen she could pace without an audience as she anxiously awaited Ned’s return.
It was a full forty-three more minutes before Ned finally arrived.
‘Oh thank God, you’re back,’ she said the minute he entered the kitchen. She hadn’t meant for it to come out quite as bluntly as it had, but then again, perhaps she did.
Ned’s concern was instant. ‘Is he—’
‘There’s no change,’ interrupted Flora. ‘But, honestly, trying to get through to your mother…’ She took hold of his arm and led him to the far side of the kitchen, as far from the hallway door as she could.
‘I’m sorry, Ned, I’m probably just being alarmist, but I can’t get your mum to listen to me. She’s convinced it’s food poisoning, but I’m really not sure it is and, try as I might, she just brushes off my concern and says that he simply needs time to sleep it off.’
Ned looked towards the door. ‘Is he asleep now? I’ll go up and see him.’
‘I’m not sure. He was dozing in the chair, and Hannah’s with him now but, Ned, I really think we should call an ambulance, or a doctor at the very least.’
He stared at her, his mouth working but no sound coming out. His eyes narrowed. ‘You mentioned calling an ambulance before… you’re really worried, aren’t you?’
Flora nodded quickly. ‘I’m sorry, Ned, but yes, I really am.’
She saw the question form in his eyes, but she answered it before he could speak. ‘I am really worried,’ she said. ‘Because I think your father’s had a heart attack.’
Chapter Eight
Ned stared at her for what felt like an eternity as he grappled with the impact of her words. She knew he was thinking about the farm, his mother, Fraser, of what to do, who to call, and all of it wrapped up in the sudden shock of realisation that his father could die. Flora didn’t know Ned’s past well enough yet to know whether he had ever been faced with such a crisis before, but she guessed from his reaction that he hadn’t.
She was on the verge of gently repeating herself when he gave a sudden start, looking deep into her own eyes.
‘Yes, of course,’ he said suddenly, as if coming to. ‘I’ll ring them now.’
She watched as he hovered on the threshold between the kitchen and the doorway to the hall where the telephone stood on a small table.
‘So, you’re sure?’ he asked, turning. ‘It couldn’t be something else?’
‘It could be any number of things, Ned. But I think we need to find out. Let someone who can be certain make the judgement, that’s all I’m saying.’
He nodded. ‘Right… I’ll go call them then.’
‘I hope it’s nothing,’ she replied, but there was no point hiding her fear; it was a shared thing now, a thread tethering them to each other.
She waited while he phoned, and only then, as he came back into the room, did she take him in her arms, wordlessly laying her cheek against his. ‘Go and see him,’ she said and pulled away slightly as she felt his answering nod.
‘What do I say?’ he asked. ‘And then there’s Mum.’ His eyes widened. ‘Oh God, what do I say to her?’
‘I could come up with you?’ she volunteered. She had no idea what to say either, but she knew Ned needed her.
‘Would you?’ he asked.
But what if she was wrong about Fraser? Inherhead, the prolonged heartburn, nausea, dizziness and cold sweats could only mean one thing, but she might be making a huge fuss and drama over nothing and they would never forget it. She hesitated, but she had said it now and there was no taking it back. Besides… she had seen it in Fraser’s eyes when she handed him the water, she knew she had; a silent cry for help, a pleading. His nod of thanks hadn’t simply been for the drink he had received, he had been thanking her for what she’d beenaboutto do…
She nodded, swallowing. ‘Come on then,’ she said, taking his hand.
They had almost got to the bedroom door before Flora pulled back slightly, causing Ned to look at her in alarm.
‘I’m just thinking,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t want to upset your mum, but I wondered if it might be an idea to get her to pack a bag for your dad, just in case the paramedics want to admit him. It would give her something to do?’
Ned nodded grimly. ‘Whatever you think,’ he answered, followed by a loud exhalation of breath. ‘I haven’t got a bloody clue.’
