The Shadow of Daph by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Author:Phillipa Nefri Clark [Clark, Phillipa Nefri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phillipa Nefri Clark

It was like Petra all over again.

Flushed, clammy skin. Barely breathing. Unconscious.

Daphne draped her jacket over Amanda’s torso. She hunted for her phone to call an ambulance as Fred ran around the corner.

“What the—” He skidded to a stop and grabbed his own phone. “Amanda! I’ll ring the ambulance. Can you go and find Zeke? He has medical training.”

“I should stay with—”

“No. No, I’ll look after her.” He reached a hand out to help Daphne up.

Her knees creaked as she stood and she grabbed her bag. “Where is Zeke?”

“Reception room. I think.”

Daphne called John as she hurried.

“Ready early?” he answered.

“No. Yes. Its Amanda. She’s collapsed. Same as Petra.”

“Oh my goodness. Adam, we have to get to the funeral home.” John said.

“Adam?”

“Sorry, Daph. I’m with him. Is an ambulance coming?”

“Fred said he’d call one but maybe call as well. In case he forgot.” Or in case everyone in this town was out to get someone. “Please hurry.”

She hung up as she entered the crowded room. People congregated around the long table and others sat on the stools in groups, some holding plates and others with champagne glasses.

“There you are!” Ilona appeared with two plates piled high with cheese, preserves, and scones. Daphne’s stomach rumbled despite everything. “Would you like some champagne? There’s plenty of bottles around.”

Champagne.

Amanda had drunk a whole glass then collapsed.

Petra also had a glass yesterday and then collapsed an hour later.

“Everyone! Please, please give me your attention!” Daphne clapped her hands together and the conversations stopped as all eyes turned her way. “If you have champagne, I urge you not to drink it. Please put it down and wait until you are told it is safe to drink.”

“Daphne? What on earth is going on?” Ilona asked. “I think you’re scaring people.”

She was. A number of people almost dropped their glasses in their rush to put them down. Others—including Desmond who took a long look at the bubbly liquid—held onto their glass.

“Does anyone know where Zeke is? We need some medical assistance.”

“Zeke? Um, I think he’s in the kitchen. But, Daphne, I don’t under—”

Tracy appeared from nowhere and took Daphne’s arm. A little too firmly for comfort. “For goodness sake, what is this nonsense about the champagne? Most of us have had at least a sip and now you’re frightening people.” She steered Daphne to the door leading to the kitchen. “Let’s find Zeke but I want to know what this is about!”

Ilona was right behind and trying to calm everyone. “Just a slight hiccup! Champagne might be old…flat? Anyway, we’ll arrange some fresh glasses so keep on enjoying the lovely food.”

Unless it was the food!

Daphne tried to turn back but Tracy wasn’t letting go and before she knew it, they were in the hallway.

“Right. What is going on?” Tracy released Daphne.

“Amanda has collapsed. Near the restrooms.”

“Is that all?” Tracy rolled her eyes. “She’s been getting stuck into the drinks since before the ceremony. Told you she likes her alcohol.”

“No. No, she is in a bad way. Just like Petra, but Fred asked me to find Zeke as he has medical training.

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