Her eyes opened, and the wan smile she gave Olivia sent her heart tumbling. “You came. Mum said you would. She’s trying to get a train.”
“I know, she’ll be with you as quick as she can.” Olivia sat next to Mia and enveloped her in a tight hug. “If you’re up for it, we can wait for her at your house and you can do whatever it is your mum lets you do when you’re not very well.”
“Watch TV on the sofa with a cuddly blanket.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
They took an Uber to Jessica’s, and Olivia let them in with the key Jessica always kept round the back because her older kids kept forgetting theirs.
Poor Mia immediately dashed to the toilet, and Olivia felt a rising sense of worry. When her niece returned, now looking even paler, she slumped on the sofa.
As Mia drew the blanket round herself and turned on the TV, Olivia felt her forehead. Hot, clammy. God, she had no clue whether this was serious or not. Should she call a doctor?
Just then her phone buzzed with a message from Connor.
Knock ’em dead. C x
Her heart squeezed. Not just because he was thinking of her but because he understood how important today was for her. She typed a quick reply.
Thanks. Would have done but sitting with a poorly Mia instead.
A few seconds later, her phone chimed with an incoming call.
“Hey, what’s up? How’s Mia? Where’s Jessica?”
Her eyes welled with tears. How was Connor there just when she needed him? “Mia has a tummy bug.” She could hear the wobble in her voice and hated it. “Jessica’s on her way but delayed with train problems. Nick and Ashley are too far away to be any use.”
“Is she okay?”
She glanced again at Mia, who was focused on the TV. “I think so—maybe? But... God, I don’t know. She’s been sick at school and just now. Her forehead is clammy and she’s white as a sheet.”
“Do you want me to come over?”
Yes. She shook the cowardly thought away. Mia was her niece, her responsibility. “Thanks, but I can manage.”
He sighed. “I know you can manage. I’m asking if you want any moral support.” Her hesitation was obviously enough for him to understand. “You know what, I’m coming anyway. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
Giving her no time to argue, he ended the call.
“My tummy hurts.” Mia peered up at her with big trusting eyes.
“What does your mum usually do when it hurts? Have you got a hot-water bottle?”
She nodded.
“Do you know where it is?”
Mia shook her head.
“Okay, I’ll have a hunt.”
“And I’m thirsty.”
Oh God. “I don’t know if you should drink at the moment.” She kissed the top of her head. “Let me find the hottie, then I’ll see if Google has the answers for what you can drink.”
Connor will be here soon.
For once she was massively grateful he’d ignored her wishes.
