NINETEEN
Evie’s face floods with relief as the consultant confirms that Lina hasn’t had a stroke. ‘A stroke mimic experience may be more traumatic than actually having a stroke, though.’ He addresses me, assuming, I think, that I’m related in some way. ‘It’s not always the case, but people with mimics are just as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder as those with a confirmed stroke. She will need keeping a close eye on.’
‘We’ll make sure to look after her,’ Evie assures him.
He smiles in her direction. ‘I’ve asked the dietician to pop up and have a word about her diet and general health,’ he says. ‘Once she’s had a chat, your gran will be good to go.’
After thanking him, I turn to Evie. ‘Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?’
Evie nods. ‘She’s definitely going to need someone around now,’ she says, looking more determined than ever, and I realise I can’t backtrack, however displeased Jack might be about my inviting Lina to live in the annexe for a while. The alternative is that Evie might well make up her mind to move into her flat. I shudder at the thought of that.
‘I’ll wait for the dietician,’ Evie says, with another decisive nod. ‘You go and get some rest. You look terrible.’
‘Thanks,’ I say with an amused eye-roll.
She’s immediately contrite. ‘No, I didn’t mean…’
I smile at her embarrassed expression. ‘Don’t worry, I’m feeling pretty terrible, to be honest. I’ll take up your offer of a break, but I’ll keep my phone on. Call me when you’re ready to leave. We’ll probably need to collect a few things from the flat. The rest can be sorted out later.’
Evie smiles gratefully. ‘I will,’ she says, hesitating for a second and then surprising me with another firm hug. Pulling away, she heads back to Lina’s cubicle. ‘Good job someone reminded me to charge my phone,’ she says, waving it behind her.
I leave her to it, marvelling at the change in her and thinking that Lina is very lucky to have her. After calling a taxi, I try Jack. He’s not answering, possibly having switched his phone to silent to try to get an hour’s sleep. Or else he’s gone straight to work.
I’m on my way home, checking my phone, when I realise Jemma’s been trying to get hold of me. Needing a voice of sanity, I call her back.
‘Are you all right?’ she asks as soon as she picks up. ‘Jack called me about a job I want him to do and he mentioned Lina. I can’t believe she just turned up out of the blue like that. I hadn’t realised he was still in touch with Natalia’s family.’
‘He isn’t. Or he wasn’t.’ I sigh wearily, and vaguely outline the situation, telling her that Lina appears to be very confused. ‘She’s convinced her daughter didn’t commit suicide,’ I confide.
‘Oh no,’ Jemma sympathises. ‘Poor thing. Poor you. That’s a difficult one, isn’t it? You being stuck in the middle of it, I mean.’
‘Very,’ I agree with another sigh.
‘Look, if you need an ear, you can always drop by for coffee and a chat,’ Jemma says. ‘My appointment’s cancelled and I don’t have anything else on this morning.’
I’m so tired my bones ache, but I’m definitely in need of an ear. ‘I’d love to,’ I say. ‘I’m about ten minutes away.’
TWENTY
Jemma swings her front door open as I approach it. ‘You look absolutely shattered,’ she says, a worried frown creasing her brow. ‘Come on, in you come. You need to take the weight off those feet.’
Stepping back, she ushers me inside and steers me into the kitchen. ‘Grab a seat.’ She nods towards the table, and I sit gratefully as she goes to put the kettle on. ‘So, how is she?’
‘She had something called a stroke mimic,’ I tell her. ‘She has low blood sugar levels, which caused her to pass out. She also had some heart palpitations, apparently, so they erred on the side of caution and did all the tests.’
‘Well, that’s reassuring, I suppose.’ Jemma comes across with the biscuit barrel. ‘For energy.’ She smiles, offering it to me.
I decline, mindful of my baby and my own blood sugar levels. I’m feeling a few palpitations myself, especially when there’s a sudden loud thump overhead, causing me to jump.
Jemma presses a hand to her chest, clearly also startled. ‘It’s Noah,’ she says. ‘I’d almost forgotten he was there. Tummy bug. Either that or he fancied a day off school,’ she adds with a roll of her eyes. ‘Kids, what would you do with them?’ Obviously noting my averted gaze, she sits quickly opposite me and takes hold ofmy hand. ‘Sorry, Kara,’ she says, giving it a squeeze. ‘That was thoughtless of me.’
‘It’s okay,’ I assure her, though her comment jarred me. I don’t know why now particularly. I miss Kai every day, achingly, but I don’t feel his loss like a physical blow any more when people talk about their children. I guess I’m more sensitive at the moment because my emotions are close to the surface. ‘Ignore me.’ I smile wearily. ‘I’m just tired.’
‘You should get some rest,’ Jemma advises, glancing sternly at me as she goes across to make the coffee. ‘Set aside some time for yourself. Taking on a man with a teenage daughter plus baggage is bound to take its toll, no matter how lovely he is, especially now you’re carrying a precious little one of your own.’
I glance down, placing a hand protectively over my tummy. With Lina about to move in, there’s not much chance of my getting even a moment to myself for a while. I don’t tell Jemma that, sure she’ll think I’ve taken leave of my senses. ‘Heislovely,’ I say, reminding myself that Jack is everything I could want in a man. That before Lina crashed into our lives, everything had been good between us.
‘He’s obviously very worried about the effect all this will have on you,’ Jemma says. ‘When he said you were at the hospital, my heart almost stopped beating. I think you might be overdoing it a little. Jack does too. You need to look after yourself as well as everyone else.’ She gives me an admonishing scowl as she comes back with the coffee.
