No Way to Say Goodbye - Anna McPartlin [109]
The church was packed, which was odd for a man of Dick’s age, especially as he’d had no family of his own. Ivan stood beside Norma, and the rest of the congregation didn’t seem to notice her presence. All heads were bowed in remembrance of an old friend.
When the time came during the service for them to shake hands as a sign of peace, people went out of their way to shake her good one. It was only when she saw men and women, with a perfect right to judge her, walk towards her smiling with hands outstretched… It was only when she heard… “Glad to have you home.”
“Everything will work out.”
“You don’t have to worry any more.”
“God bless you.”
It was only when she stood in front of those she’d been convinced would hate her that she discovered what it meant to be forgiven.
Thank God I’m home.
Mary had spotted Sam standing at the back of the church. She had been with Ivan and Norma during the service. She had had a particularly bad migraine over the previous five days and he had called every day to make sure she was OK, seeing her at her worst and seeming not to care. The injections Dr Macken gave her meant that the week was full of holes but she did remember Sam holding her hand, wiping her brow and whispering to her. If only she could remember what he’d said. She’d continued to have the nightmare, always the same, always unfinished. The lack of progress was frustrating but she knew that sooner rather than later the curtain would rise.
She noticed that Sam had attempted to leave the church unseen but Paula Dubury had nabbed him in the churchyard. She wanted him to know how much Dick had enjoyed his visit, reliving his affection for Sam’s grandmother. He had talked of it often in the past few weeks. She wanted him to know, too, how glad Dick had been that he’d taken the time to call in and that the old man had thoroughly enjoyed his gift of ice-cream. Sam thanked her, but she wasn’t finished. She wondered if he was seeing anyone. He told her he wasn’t. She giggled girlishly, and asked if he wanted to see someone. Despite her curves, her shining black hair and her pretty face, he told her his heart lay elsewhere.
“Pity,” she said.
“Sorry.”
“Can’t win them all,” she said cheerfully. “Is Ivan still seeing that hotel girl?”
“No.”
“Right,” she said. “Well, watch this space! After all, every dog has his day!” She laughed uproariously. She waved and she was gone.
He turned away to find Mary standing behind him. “You shouldn’t be here,” he told her.
“I’m going straight home to bed.” She still felt weak.
“How’s Penny? Any word?”
“She’s still hanging in there but they won’t let me talk to her.”
“It’s not unusual. It’ll work out.”
“I know I’ve seen you but I miss you,” she said.
“I miss you too.” He looked sad.
“Maybe you could come for your dinner tomorrow?”
“We’ll see how you are.”
He seemed distant and she didn’t want to push it. “OK,” she agreed, and then she, like Paula, was gone.
Penny was allowed to make one phone call at the end of a very long week. It had begun with urine and blood tests that revealed Penny hadn’t a moderate dependence but was a high risk for delirium tremens. She didn’t know what the doctor was saying – it was all Greek to her.
“The DTs,” he explained, and went on to outline what she might be in for over the next three to four days. He mentioned confusion.
I think I’m already there.
Agitation was also possible.
Stop drumming your fingers, Penn.
Disturbances of memory came next.
Not necessarily a bad thing.
Hallucinations. He ticked his page again.
Just another Saturday night.
Fever appeared on the list.
You give me fever.
The doctor informed her that she might experience high blood pressure and/or seizures.
“My grandmother died of a stroke,” she said.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on you,” he promised.
The headache started on