Page 80

The casualty hospital number she had dialled answered in that second and cut off any further conversation with Irma, who left. ‘Er, yes,’ Fleur said, suddenly distracted. ‘This is Fleur Appleby.’

‘Oh, hello, Fleur. It’s Anne Davies. Lovely to hear your voice.’

‘It’s been a while,’ she admitted.

‘How’s your father?’

‘He’s well, thank you, and your family?’ Fleur said politely.

‘Growing! I’ve become a grandmother since I last saw you.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful. You’re very young to be one.’

‘I’ll take that compliment. But our Jess is now twenty. I can’t believe she’s been married for three years already.’

‘My goodness. So, Anne, I have an odd question.’

‘Go on, then.’

‘I’m looking for someone.’

‘Who’ve you lost?’

‘It’s a friend. His name is Tom Catchlove. We were meant to—’

‘Ah, our very handsome new patient. I think all the nurses want to attend to Mr Catchlove. Your old school pal Jelly got the job.’

‘He’s there?’ Fleur was astonished.

‘Yes. We left a message for you. Tom asked us to call you.’

She closed her eyes. ‘You left a message at my home?’

‘Yes, Irma apparently took it from Jelly not so long ago. I heard her speaking with your stepmother. I thought you were returning the message.’

‘No. Er, look, I’ve just come in and must have missed her,’ Fleur said, angry with herself for saving face on behalf of the family – no one needed to know about the internal war – but even more furious that Irma was now lying confidently to her face. ‘I think she’s forgotten to write it down. I’ll declare her of unsound mind if she’s not careful.’ She made sure to laugh.

Anne joined in. ‘Watch out, Irma! Well, Tom came in early yesterday morning, but he was out for a good long while.’

‘I’ve been looking for him. He was invited for dinner Tuesday evening and didn’t make it to our house. I gather he was attacked?’

‘Yes. Says he doesn’t know by whom, or perhaps he just isn’t saying. But they did a good job on him. He’s lucky he isn’t in worse shape.’

Fleur’s heart sank and yet she forced herself to feel grateful he was alive, getting the right care. ‘Can he walk?’

‘Yes. Your Tom’ll be all right. He seems determined to discharge himself and walk out, but he’s not going to be terribly comfy for a while. He makes no fuss – I wish all our patients were as easy going . . . and as handsome.’ Anne chuckled.

‘Would you please tell him not to leave until I arrive? I’m coming now.’

‘You’ll be fine. The police are with him now, taking a report, but without an attacker’s name, no charges can be laid.’

20

The policeman had left by the time Fleur arrived at the hospital.

‘I’ll show you to your Tom,’ Jelly said.

‘Thanks, Jelly,’ Fleur said, giving her a hug. ‘I didn’t have many friends at school, but you were always kind to me.’