‘She’s not going to die, Sarah,’ Nick said gently.
‘You don’t know that. What if she took a bad turn while I was sitting near by, having a cup of tea? I’d never forgive myself.’
‘Fine. Stay where you are and I’ll come and get you. I’ll just tell Jim where I’m going.’
Sarah sat down in an empty chair against the wall, only then absorbing her surroundings. The place was very busy, with people rushing to and fro, and lots of people just sitting and waiting to be treated, several of them dishevelled young men with cuts and bruises over their faces. There were half a dozen mothers with crying children, and wailing babies. They all looked poor and wretched. Some of them even smelt.
She dropped her eyes away, upset by this brutal confrontation with the cold, cruel world. Not that she hadn’t come across neglected children before. Just not on Christmas Day.
‘Sarah? You OK?’
Sarah jumped up from the plastic chair. ‘Oh, Nick, I’m so glad you’re here.’ She grabbed his arm and steered him away to one side.
‘Did any of those louts bother you?’ he asked.
‘No, no, nothing like that. I just…Oh, Nick, the world’s a horrible place, isn’t it?’
‘It can be,’ he agreed soberly.
‘We are so lucky to be healthy. And rich.’
His smile was wry. ‘You’re right there, sweetheart. Healthy and wealthy are the daily double. Come on, I’ll take you to Flora.’
The sight of Flora’s dull eyes and pale face alarmed Sarah. But she tried not to show it. ‘What a scare you gave us,’ she said lightly as she bent and kissed Flora on the cheek.
‘It’s just indigestion,’ Flora protested. ‘But no one believes me.’
The attending nurse surreptitiously rolled her eyes at Sarah, indicating that it certainly wasn’t indigestion.
Sarah pulled up a chair by Flora’s bed and picked up her hand. It felt oddly cold, which was another worry.
‘Best we make sure, now that you’re here,’ she said.
Flora pressed her lips together. ‘That’s what Nick and Jim say but, truly, I’d much rather go home to my own bed. All I need is a rest.’
‘Now, Flora, love,’ an ashen-faced Jim began before his voice trailed weakly away. He’d never worn the trousers in the family and it looked as if he wasn’t about to now.
‘You’ll do as you’re told, madam,’ Nick intervened firmly. ‘Now I’m taking Jim for a cuppa. Sarah’s going to sit with you for a while.’
Sarah flashed him an admiring smile. Truly, Nick’s command of this situation had been wonderful from the word go. He hadn’t panicked, he’d acted decisively and quickly—and possibly saved Flora’s life in the process.
‘See you soon,’ he said to her, then turned and shepherded Jim away.
Sarah’s gaze followed him for a while before returning to Flora.
‘Have you something to confess, missie?’ Flora said softly, but in a very knowing fashion.
Sarah had no intention of letting herself be railroaded into any admissions about Nick. She would not hear the end of it if she told Flora that she and Nick were having an affair.
‘I just wanted to say I love you dearly, Flora, and I’ve been a selfish cow, staying away from home as much I have. Things are going to change from now on, I assure you. I’m going to get a job near by so that I can be there, in person, to make sure you take it much easier, as well as look after your diet. I’ve become a very good cook of low-fat meals this past year, and you, madam, need to lose a few pounds. If you must work, then you can help Jim in the garden. And you’re going to start walking. Every morning.’
‘Goodness, you’re sounding just like Nick.’
‘Who has your best interests at heart as well. So I don’t want to hear any more nonsense about your coming home just yet. Nick has organised a specialist to come in tomorrow to do some tests and you’re going to have them.’
‘Heavens to Betsy, is this my sweet little Sarah talking?’
‘No, it’s your grown-up Sarah.’
‘I can see that. And so does Nick. He couldn’t take his eyes off you today, Sarah. Or tonight, for that matter.’
Sarah eyed Flora sternly. ‘Don’t start matchmaking, Flora. You and I both know Nick is not a marrying man.’
‘If anyone could make him change his mind about that, it’s you, love.’
Sarah bit her tongue, lest she give the game away. But there was a part of her that agreed with Flora.
Nick hadn’t just ‘had sex’ with her tonight. He’d made love to her, with tenderness and caring.
Who knew? Maybe there was a chance of a real relationship between them, no matter what Nick said.
‘You’re in love with him, aren’t you?’ Flora said.
Sarah could not bring herself to lie any longer. ‘Yes,’ she admitted.
‘Then go after him, girl.’
‘That’s what I am doing.’
‘And?’
Sarah felt a betraying smile tug at her lips. ‘Let’s just say it’s a work in progress.’
‘Ooooh, I like the sound of that.’
‘Well, I don’t,’ the nurse interrupted firmly. ‘Your blood pressure is on the rise again. Sorry,’ she said to Sarah. ‘I think it would be better if my patient rests quietly for a while. Perhaps you could join her other visitors in the coffee lounge for the next half-hour at least. It’s thatta way.’
Sarah went reluctantly, with the solemn promise to return. She followed the direction of the nurse’s finger, but still had to ask for more directions before she found the cafeteria.
Jim and Nick glanced up with questioning eyes at her arrival, Jim looking particularly anxious. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she’d raised his wife’s blood pressure, saying instead that the nurse wanted Flora to rest quietly and they weren’t to go back to her bedside for half an hour at least.
‘If you want anything, you have to order at the counter,’ Nick informed her.
Sarah shook her head. ‘I don’t want anything.’
‘Don’t be silly. I’ll get you some coffee and cake. You have to be hungry. I know I was.’
Jim said nothing during the time it took Nick to return with the coffee and piece of carrot cake. He just kept staring blankly into space.
‘You haven’t eaten your cake, Jim,’ Nick said as he sat back down.
Jim turned his head towards Nick, his eyes remaining vacant. ‘What did you say?’
‘Your cake,’ Nick said, nodding towards the untouched plate.
He shook his head. ‘I can’t eat it.’
‘She’s not going to die, Jim.’
‘But what if she does?’ he said plaintively. ‘I can’t live without her. She’s all I have.’
‘I know, Jim.’ Sarah reached over to press a gentle hand on his arm. ‘But you won’t have to live without her. Not yet, anyway. We’ve caught this in time. We’ll look after her together and make her better.’
His eyes filled with tears, shocking Sarah. She’d only ever seen a man