‘No,’ she acknowledged with a sob. ‘I guess I couldn’t.’
She gave a sigh and stared at the ceiling, pressing her lips together tightly, trying hard not to cry. This had been a dismal evening for her; all self-inflicted, of course. He reached over topat her hand, keen to reassure her that everything would be fine. But as he did, her hand went to her throat, her body pitching forward as the contents of her stomach exploded all over the front of him.
‘What the hell?’ He pulled himself off the bed quickly as warm wetness soaked through his shirt, finding his skin. Examining the material he discovered a huge wet patch liberally splattered with bits of partially digested food. By the time he had the presence of mind to check to see if Debbie was okay he heard her sigh and watched as she curled herself into a ball. ‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled as her eyes closed. A few moments later her breathing became steady and even.
‘Typical,’ he grunted, and was about to head for the bathroom to see whether he could sponge out the damage when Cat returned.
‘Oh my lord, what’s happened to you?’ she said, setting a glass and small bottle of water on the bedside cabinet and walking over to where he stood.
‘A prime example of projectile vomiting, I’m afraid, but at least she’ll sleep now.’
‘Come with me, I’ll get you cleaned up.’
‘No need, I can sponge myself off in the bathroom,’ he insisted, annoyed with Cat for once more trying to take charge.
‘I think you’ll need a bit more than a sponge off.’
Did he detect a smirk? His irritation shot up a notch. Annoying woman.
‘What?’
‘Take a look. It’s not only your shirt that’s taken the hit.’ Her eyes travelled downwards. ‘Your trousers have too.’
Luke lowered his gaze to where it appeared most of Debbie’s buffet had landed. ‘Oh well, that’s just wonderful.’
He raised his eyes, scowling as he saw her expression. Yes definitely a smirk. ‘I’m glad you think it’s so funny,’ he snapped at her. ‘What the hell am I going to do now?’
‘First, I suggest you clean off as much of that mess as you can in there,’ she instructed, waving a hand towards the bathroom.
‘Yes ma’am.’ Luke gave a mock salute and disappeared through the door to begin his clean up. He felt tired, smelt of sick and longed for his bed. The last thing he needed was her issuing orders and treating him like a small helpless boy.
Returning moments later, the damage reduced to two large wet patches, Luke presented himself for inspection. ‘Right I’m ready to go home now, miss.’
‘Not quite.’ Cat shook her head, obviously unamused by his attempt at humour, ‘You need to clean up properly.’
‘I am cleaned up properly,’ he protested. ‘What’s wrong with this?’
‘I am not letting you go home in that state,’ she insisted. ‘No way. Come with me.’ She gestured towards the door.
Luke stood his ground and they glared at each other for a moment. Why did she have to be so damned bossy? He rubbed his aching forehead. All he wanted was his bed and sleep; soft sheets to blot out the memory of this dreadful evening. But right now there was an immovable object in the way, one which he had no hope of shifting.
‘Okay, you win.’ He gritted his teeth annoyed at having to back down. ‘Let’s go.’
Cat stopped off to return the key card and ask reception to organise a regular check on room five. Then she set off in the direction of the lift. He followed her, pausing to take a last look over his shoulder. From her expression the receptionist obviously found the situation highly amusing. Embarrassed didn’t begin to cover the way he felt. Thank goodness there were no hotel guests around.
‘Where are you taking me?’ he asked as the lift doors parted with a light hiss and an automated voice announced, ‘Ground Floor’.
‘For a shower and fresh clothes.’
‘You keep spare sets of shirts and trousers, do you? Funny, I thought this was a hotel not a department store.’
‘Oh, you are such a grouch,’ she mocked, with a wave of her finger and an infuriating grin. ‘Lighten up, for goodness’ sake. I’m taking you up to our eyrie on the top floor. Nathan is about your size. He won’t mind loaning you a change of clothes.’
Producing a key, she inserted it in the wall pad and pressed a button marked Private. The doors closed followed by another automatic announcement.
‘Your home is here?’ he asked as the lift got underway.
‘Of course, where else did you think we lived?’
