Moving On (A Polvellan Cornish Mystery Book 6) by Rachel Ennis

Author:Rachel Ennis [Ennis, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2017-02-27T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

On Thursday afternoon Jess was skimming through reports of masked balls, lavish dinners, picnics and other entertainments laid on for the Congress delegates and their ladies. One entry mentioned British Foreign Minister Castlereagh’s concern about Stewart’s love affairs and drinking. Jess felt a pang of sympathy for Carveth. Being aide to a man of such erratic behaviour must have been extremely demanding.

The phone rang. She snatched up the receiver. ‘Hello?’

‘It’s Rob, Ma. Helen is being discharged in an hour.’ Before Jess could ask any questions, he went on. ‘The rash has faded. They stopped sedation and removed the oxygen line late last night. When Helen woke, Shelley was allowed to bathe her and give her a bottle. Mr Tadros, the A&E consultant, and Mr Braithwaite from Paediatrics think it was an acute viral infection that has run its course.’

‘What a relief. I’m so glad for Helen, for you and for Shelley who has been absolutely marvellous. And Fiona –’

‘Ah yes, Fiona. At least she’ll be spared the effort of phoning the hospital.’

She winced at his bitterness. ‘Give her a chance to explain, Rob,’ she urged. ‘There may –’

‘She left a message on my voicemail yesterday morning saying she had spoken to the ward sister and that Helen’s swift recovery meant it couldn’t have been serious.’ He was silent for a moment, and Jess recalled sitting by Helen’s bed in the isolation bay, holding her tiny hand and willing her to get better. She heard him clear his throat and knew he was fighting the fear-filled memory of hours that had stretched into days. ‘I’ve called her mobile three times but it’s switched off. I’ve just rung the hotel. The course ended at lunchtime yesterday. Fiona hasn’t come home yet. So where is she?’

At midday on Saturday Jess answered her landline.

‘Hi, Ma.’

‘Hi, Rob. How’s Helen?’

‘She’s her usual sunny self, eating and drinking normally. And the back tooth that was giving so much trouble is finally through.’

‘I am glad.’ She hesitated. ‘Have you heard from Fiona?’

‘Apparently she’ll be home tomorrow. She didn’t say where she’s been and I didn’t ask. I’ve got the weekend off so Shelley and I are taking Helen out for the afternoon. We need fresh air and a change of scene.’

‘You certainly do. Have a wonderful time. Give Helen a kiss from me.’

‘Thanks for your support, Ma.’

‘I’m always here for you, Rob.’

She replaced the receiver, saddened by the unfolding situation. As a mother her instinct was to protect. But Rob was no longer a child. He was a grown man. He knew the outing with Shelley and Helen was a brief calm before the coming storm. She wished there was something she could do. But Viv had been right. Rob and Fiona’s marriage was their business and she had to stay out of it.

Relieved but tired after the stress of the past few days she had spent the morning making two large savoury quiches, now cooling on the worktop. She took her half-dozen wine glasses from the top cupboard.

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