Page 38 of Only for Christmas

‘Would you like more company?’

She gave him a stern look. ‘Who’d want my company? I’m better off keeping out of everyone’s way.’

He held the spirometer to her mouth. ‘I need you to take a deep breath and exhale as much air as possible into this reader for me. Can you do that?’

‘Course I can; I ain’t stupid.’ She blew into the gadget. They repeated the test three times; each time her lung capacity dropped. ‘I’m tired now.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m done.’ He packed up his bag. ‘I’m pretty certain you have a chest infection, Mrs Kelsey. That’s probably why you’re feeling run-down and your mood is so low. I’m going to prescribe you antibiotics and a course of steroids to help boost their effectiveness. Have you taken prednisolone before?’

‘Can’t remember.’

‘I’ll collect the medication tomorrow and bring it over and explain how to take it. In the meantime, continue using your inhalers, both the reliever and the preventer, and you might benefit from using your nebuliser tonight. Plenty of fluids, and I want you to call me if your breathing deteriorates further. Okay?’

‘Okay.’

He stilled. ‘What, no resistance?’

She gave a small shrug. ‘I guess you’re only trying to help.’

‘I am.’ He stood up. ‘You’d also benefit from eating something. I noticed a few cans of soup in the cupboard. I’d like you to have one of those this evening. Would you like me to heat it up for you?’

‘I can do that myself. I’m not incapable.’

‘No, but you are unwell, Mrs Kelsey. And like it or not, I’m worried about you. So expect to see me again tomorrow, and the next day, and no doubt the day after that.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Jesus, I’ll be sick of the sight of you.’

‘I guarantee it.’

And then something amazing happened, Mrs Kelsey smiled. ‘Cheeky blighter. Now get out of here. I’ve had enough of you prodding and poking me for one night. You can see yourself out. And hand me that remote before you leave.’

He did as asked, checking his card was still by the phone before he left. ‘Night, Mrs Kelsey. Call if you need me.’

‘Oi, laddie…?’

He stopped by the lounge door. ‘What do you need, Mrs Kelsey?’

‘I need for you to stop calling me Mrs Kelsey. My name’s Diana.’

He tried to hide his shock, although he wasn’t able to hide his grin. ‘Good night, Diana. See you tomorrow.’

Leaving her apartment, he headed up the steps to his place, still smiling. All the medical stuff aside, he loved his work because of moments like that. It might seem like a tiny breakthrough, but he notched it up to a win nonetheless. The formidable Diana Kelsey was finally thawing.

The cold hit him the moment he opened the door to his apartment. A chill was blowing through the place, making it feel like an ice box. Had the heating system packed up?

Flicking on the hall light, he followed the draught, which lead him to the big sash window in the lounge area. He’d left the window open? Damn it.

And then he remembered using the fire escape this morning to empty the trash. The large recycling bins were stored in the service yard at the back of the building, so it was easier to use the spiral metal staircase leading down to the service area than exiting the front of the building and having to walk around the block.

Walking over, he shoved the window closed with a thud, but as he turned around he saw something move on his couch. What the hell? There it was again: the cushions moved. It was too small for a person. Had an animal climbed in through the window? What animals did they have roaming loose in London? A fox? Cat? Rat? Had a panther escaped from London Zoo?

He switched on the side lamp, ready to pounce, only to be met by a pair of huge brown eyes. ‘Fred…? Is that you?’

The dog rolled onto his back, begging for a tummy rub.

‘Make yourself at home, why don’t you.’ He walked over and crouched down. ‘Does your mom know you’re here?’

Loud banging on his front door made them both startle.

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