Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
“Could I just see her for a few minutes?” Lily pleaded with the grey-haired receptionist at the hospital who’d refused to give her any information.
“I’m sorry, but I can only let immediate family in.”
“Does Glynis even have immediate family on the island?” Lily asked, leaning onto the desk.
“Unfortunately not.” The soft voice drew Lily’s attention to the doctor in a white coat, who smiled as she approached. “Her son has been in touch, but he lives in Manchester and can’t make it over here in the next few days.”
Lily straightened. “Surely having visitors would be good for her.”
“I agree.” The woman extended her hand. “Dr. Laura Redwood.”
“I’m Lily.” She shook her hand. “Can I see Glynis then?”
She nodded and led the way along the corridor. “You shouldn’t stay long,” she said as she went. “But I think a visit might lift her spirits.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s stable now, so I’m hoping that with some more rest, we’ll see improvements soon.” She opened the door and gestured for Lily to go in. “Five minutes. Okay?”
“Thank you,” Lily said as the doctor turned to leave. Slowly, she approached the bed.
Glynis’s eyelids fluttered open. “I was expecting Maria,” she said, her voice hoarse. “What time is it?”
Lily checked her watch. “Almost three.”
“I don’t know why Maria hasn’t been to see me.”
“Wasn’t she here this morning?”
“No. She said she’d come, but she didn’t.”
“She’ll no doubt be here soon. The receptionist is a bit of a stickler for the rules, though. She didn’t want to let me in because I’m not family.”
“They said they’d make an exception for Maria.” Her words were slow and her breathing laboured. “It’s nice to see you, anyway.”
“How are you feeling?” Lily asked, forcing herself not to react to how frail she looked.
“A little better than yesterday, I think.”
“That’s good. The doctor seems nice. I’m sure she’ll have you back to your old self in no time.”
“Hope so,” Glynis murmured as her eyes closed.
“I should go and let you rest,” Lily said. “Is there anything you need?”
She turned her head from side to side on the pillow and Lily gave her hand a quick squeeze.
“Oh, there’s one thing,” Glynis croaked, opening her eyes again. “Could you check on Maria? I’m worried about her.”
“Of course. Do you have your phone? I can call and see when she’s planning to visit?”
Glynis’s gaze roamed over the room. “I don’t know.”
After a quick search, Lily located it in a bag in the wardrobe. With Glynis’s help, she found Maria’s number and hit dial.
“There’s no answer,” she said after letting it ring.
“Very strange.” Glynis’s eyes were filled with concern. “I don’t suppose…”
Lily smiled. “I’ll go to the house and check on her.” She also saved the phone numbers for both Maria and Glynis to her phone. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Thank you.” Glynis reached out a trembling hand.
“You’re welcome,” Lily said, giving her hand another squeeze, then tucking it back under the covers. “I’ll call you when I’ve spoken to her, or get her to call.” She set the phone on the table where Glynis could reach it. Then she instructed her to rest and closed the door quietly behind her when she left.
It was odd that Maria hadn’t been in touch. At the reception desk Lily wanted to ask if she’d at least been in touch for an update, but the receptionist was on the phone, and a peaky-looking woman was waiting to speak to her.
Outside, Lily tried to call Maria again, hoping she could save herself a trip over there, but again, there was no answer.
Fifteen minutes later, a tingle of trepidation stirred in her stomach as she stood on the doorstep of Glynis’s house and raised her hand to knock for the second time. Impatiently, she stepped into the neat front garden and cupped her hands against the windowpane to peer into the living room.
Noise from inside had her hurrying back to the path.
Slowly, the door eased open to reveal Maria in a pair of floral pyjamas.
“Are you okay?” Lily blurted out, shocked by her sickly pallor.
“I don’t know.” She made an attempt at smoothing down her wayward tufts of hair. When her eyes came back to Lily, they flashed with panic. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Lily frowned in concern.
“Someone’s out to get us,” she muttered, eyes darting along the road. “This can’t be happening. And I got Glynis caught up in all this too. I don’t even know if she’s okay.” Again, her gaze came back to Lily. “I tried calling the hospital, but no one answered… I wasn’t up to going out.”
“Glynis is okay,” Lily said. “Are you ill too?”
Maria nodded and clutched at the pendant at the base of her throat.
“It must be some sort of virus,” Lily said. “One which is highly contagious.”
“No.” Maria’s brow wrinkled and her eyes flickered with fear. “That’s not what it is. Someone is out to get us.”
Lily cocked her head. “Should I call the doctor? You seem a little confused.”
“They’re not going to stop until we’re dead,” she muttered, the words barely audible. Her wild eyes snapped back to Lily, and she grabbed at her hand. “Come in quick, in case someone is watching.”
She dragged Lily over the threshold before she could protest.