Moonlight Magic by Summer Waters

Author:Summer Waters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Nine

Cai was woken up by Antonia moaning and came to see if she was all right.

“I’ll go and get Mum,” he said the moment he saw her.

After that everything was a blur. Antonia was conscious of Mrs Pacific talking in a low, soothing voice then someone laying a damp flannel on her forehead. Ages later a lady with flowery perfume and a strong Australian accent came and sat on the edge of her bed.

“I’m Doctor Melanie Collard,” she said. “Can you tell me where it hurts?”

“My head,” moaned Antonia.

Gently, the doctor helped Antonia upright so she could examine her. She looked down her throat and shone a light into her ears.

“Woah!” she exclaimed. “That’s some ear infection you’ve got. No wonder your head hurts. Has it been like it for long?”

“Yes,” croaked Antonia. “It’s been buzzing for days.”

“I’m not surprised. You’ll need a strong antibiotic for that. The pharmacy in town won’t be open until the morning, but in the meantime I’ll give you something for the pain.”

Antonia closed her eyes as Dr Collard rustled in her bag. She felt something cold on her skin then a sharp prick.

“That should help,” said the doctor kindly. “Now try and get some sleep.”

Gratefully, Antonia drifted off. She slept fitfully, waking every now and then, and each time the room was lighter. Much later she was aware of people quietly moving around the apartment. Antonia stayed where she was, not well enough to get up. Then Mrs Pacific came in and asked if she wanted anything to eat. Antonia shook her head, but allowed Mrs Pacific to help her sit up to take a sip from a glass of iced water. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand then wearily sank back on to the pillows.

“Lenny and Cai have run into town to get your prescription,” said Mrs Pacific. “I’ll phone your mum later and tell her you’re not well. You can speak to her too. They’re about nine hours behind us so I won’t ring yet. We don’t want to frighten your mum by ringing in the middle of the night.”

Antonia gave Mrs Pacific a weak grin. Although she badly wanted to see her mum right then, she didn’t feel up to talking to her on the phone. Hopefully, she would later. Mrs Pacific chattered on as she plumped Antonia’s pillows and straightened her bed.

“You’re to take it easy while the antibiotics start to work. No swimming—doctor’s orders! Though I don’t suppose you’ll want to swim anyway. Shall I draw the curtains? No? Do you want the television on then?”

“No thanks.” Antonia’s head wasn’t hurting as badly as it had in the night, but it was still very sore and the buzzing in her ear was making it hard to concentrate. She lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of her jumbled thoughts.

When Cai and his dad returned, they came in to visit Antonia. With a wide grin, Mr Pacific held out grapes and a bouquet of exotic-looking flowers.

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