‘When I came here only a few days ago I wasn’t sure I could see a way forward but now maybe I can.’
Beulah reached for Jules’s free hand and squeezed it.
‘Something good will come of this,’ she said. ‘You just wait and see.’
Jules smiled and felt a gleam of hope infiltrate her palms, run up her arms and settle around her heart. Maybe her mother and Carrie were right after all, and hope was worth having.
EIGHTEEN
Rita’s bed was right at the end of the small ward. The window looked out over a grassy bank which she stared at longingly.
‘Rita,’ Jules said softly, ‘how are you?’
The older woman turned her head and smiled broadly.
‘Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?’ She twinkled.
Jules let out a little breath.
‘I did call first,’ Jules said, ‘and the nurse said you were up to having another visitor if I didn’t stay too long.’
Rita shuffled a little in the bed.
‘You stay as long as you like,’ she murmured. ‘I’m bored to tears in here.’
Jules made a space on top of the crowded locker and placed a few magazines there.
‘I wasn’t sure what you liked so I bought you a selection and some chocolate.’
‘Just what I need,’ Rita said. ‘Don’t suppose you can use your influence to get me out of here, can you?’
Jules laughed.
‘No, I can’t. You’ve got to do what you’re told if you’re going to make a good recovery.’
‘Oh, I will, and I am,’ Rita proclaimed, ‘there’s no doubt about that.’
Jules settled back in her chair. This wasn’t the Rita that Christabel had described at all.
‘You look a lot better than I expected and your face is healing nicely.’
‘I never would have won a beauty pageant even back in the day so not many looks to lose.’
‘You have a beautiful face, Rita,’ Jules said.
‘My George thought so and that’s all that matters. Shall we crack into the chocolate?’
Jules proceeded to open one of the bars.
‘Christabel told you I’m at death’s door, has she?’
Jules smiled, broke off a square of dark chocolate studded generously with dried raspberries and offered it to Rita.
‘Not quite.’
‘Going gaga then. She’s going to use this, you know, to get me out of the house. I expect she’s already measuring up for curtains as we speak.’
‘I’m so sorry, Rita. I feel partly responsible for what’s happened. I should have sent Tasha home straight away.’
