They stopped in the church doorway and washed their hands with the coarse soap. She then tied the kerchief around her nose that Essie and Baron had insisted they all wear. Once that was done, she hurried down the center of the church to a cot in the last row. Hep jumped onto the bed and settled beside Esther’s thigh, his head on her hand.
Dorrie knelt beside her and held her other hand. Essie stood at her back.
“I am here, Esther,” she whispered into the fevered eyes.
“Dorrie,” her friend rasped.
“Yes. I am here with you now as is Essie. Rest easy.”
“Th-Thank you, m-my friend.” The words were weak as she struggled to speak. “And Hep.” The fingers moved barely an inch, but Hep licked them in response.
“Rest easy, Esther, and know that you are loved.”
“I l-love you too,” she whispered. “Do not weep.” The words were an effort for her to speak.
“How can I not. You are my dear friend.”
“Tell my family I love them.”
“I will.” Dorrie swallowed down a sob.
Esther’s breathing grew weaker, and Dorrie watched as she battled to haul in another breath, until suddenly she stopped.
“No!” Dorrie moaned. “Don’t go.” She leaned over her and wept. She hadn’t thought she could cry anymore. Hadn’t thought she could still feel the deep aching pain in her chest, and yet when her friend’s fingers went limp in hers, the tears were a torrent.
“There is no more pain for her, love.” Essie bent to hug them both.
“I’m sorry, Esther.” Dorrie held her friend, and let the tears flow for a woman who did not deserve the fate she had just met.
Esther would never live the life she’d dreamed of. Never grow old or laugh again. She cried until she could cry no more, and then simply lay there with her head on her friend’s chest.
She heard the murmur of voices behind her but did not move.
“Come.” Hands wrapped around her upper arms.
“No!” Dorrie pulled away. She then closed her friend’s eyes and raised the blanket over her head. “I want to stay with her.”
Ash simply lifted her to her feet. “She has passed now and is at peace, Dorset. You need to get some air.”
“I have no time for air.”
“And yet you will. Just as I told your sister yesterday, neither of you can keep working as you are. A few hours of snatched sleep is not going to help these people, because you will both fall sick yourselves from exhaustion.”
“Go with him, Dorrie,” Essie said, cupping her cheek. She too had wept for Esther as her eyes were red. “Breathe in the sea air if only for a moment. We will then deal with what next must be done for your dear friend when you return.”
Ash nudged her out the door and down the steps.
“M-My friend has died.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But you will be next if you do not rest. Hep will sit with her until you return.”
She tried to pull her hand free, but he was relentless, and soon they were heading toward the cliffs. She was too tired to argue. Tired and heartsick. So much unnecessary death.
He tugged her toward some trees and then through an opening. They were soon standing looking out at the sea.
“Sit now, Dorrie.”
“I c-can’t.” She felt the tears again. “I-I know you don’t like this, but I need it right now.”
