‘Shhhh. You don’t want to get me chucked out, do you?’
Will reached for her hand.
‘Thank you… for being there and for not doing what you were told.’
‘I don’t usually get thanked for that, but I’ll take it.’
‘Your help was invaluable. If you hadn’t untied Achilles when you did, things could have got a lot worse.’
‘Did a lot of knot work in the Brownies.’
Will attempted to laugh, which turned into a cough and attracted the attention of one of the staff, who looked over and frowned.
Grace grabbed a water beaker with a spout from the side.
‘Here, drink this.’
‘Yes, nurse.’
The word sent a shiver down Grace’s spine.
‘I think they genuinely are about to chuck me out. I’ve got your things, phone, keys and wallet, safe.’
‘OK, thanks. Hang onto the wallet and feel free to spend the money if you need it, but please can you bring my phone in later.’
‘Will do.’
She wouldn’t spend his money– she had some of her own in the rucksack– but it was nice of him to offer. She couldn’t abide a mean man. A mean anyone really.
A sudden grimace had Grace worried that Will was in severe pain. He pulled her close.
‘What about Karen? We left her there. She’s all on her own in the house.’
The idea that he was more worried about the cat than himself made her go all gooey inside. But this wasn’t the time to start examining their relationship. He needed to focus on getting better first.
‘Shhhh. Don’t worry, I told Achilles where the spare key was and he’s going to sort it. I’ll check with him later.’
‘Good thinking, Batman.’
The nurse who had looked her way was doing a cutthroat sign to tell her it was time to leave.
Grace patted Will’s hand and put on her best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice.
‘I’ll be back.’
* * *
No one blinked an eyelid when she walked into the hotel reception in a bloodstained T-shirt. She assumed they were used to it.
‘Here is your room key and your complimentary robe, madam.’
Grace nodded at the female receptionist.
‘Thank you.’
‘And we have a selection of clothes here that are available to buy if that’s of any use to you.’
Grace flicked through the catalogue placed in front of her. It was all pretty pricey. She wasn’t sure if Will’s bosses would be covering the cost of replacement clothing, so she opted for a plain white T-shirt. Her shorts were fine, and she could rinse her knickers in the sink.
