Flowers for My Love Read Online Free Page B

‘I shall be all right. Our flat is here over the shop.’
    He pushed a cushion under her head on the chair. ‘Give me your keys. I’ll carry you up when I’ve unlocked the door.
    ‘I’ve telephoned for the doctor,’ he told her, laying her gently on her bed. ‘Do you think you can manage to undress yourself?’
    She nodded, and he left the room. He came in when she was in bed. He sat on it to look at her gravely as he put the back of his hand against her flushed cheek.
    ‘How’s the throat? Painful?’
    She nodded.
    ‘I’m afraid it’s tonsillitis,’ he said gently. ‘Cheryl has it too.
    She collapsed in town and is in hospital. They’re keeping her in for a day or so.’
    ‘You knew all along, didn’t you, even before I awoke this afternoon, yet you didn’t tell me.’
    ‘What good would it have done? Had I told you you would have gone haring off to the hospital and probably have collapsed there yourself.’
    Davina was very aware of lying in a flimsy nightdress while he dwarfed the room with his size. She felt too ill and wretched to care much, but he still upset her.
    ‘Is there anyone who can look after you?’ he asked.
    She thought quickly. ‘My brother Darren is coming home tomorrow from medical school for the Easter holidays.’
    He pushed the damp wads of hair from her hot forehead.
    ‘Can he cook?’
    ‘He’ll be all right. He’s very intelligent. I’ve tried to make him self-sufficient. Besides, if I have tonsillitis he can manage to make me hot drinks and cook a little for himself.’

    The doctor came and Nick told him about Cheryl as he examined Davina.
    ‘It’s acute tonsillitis all right,’ he said, placing a cool instrument on her tongue to enable him to peer down her inflamed throat. ‘Keep warm, take hot drinks and the pills along with the medicine I shall prescribe and you’ll soon be up again, young woman.’

    Nick went out at the same time as the doctor to fetch the medicine the doctor had prescribed.
    Nick stayed that night, giving her the medicine every two hours. Between doses she tried to sleep, but always something that felt like a web seemed to cover the back of her throat. Then Nick would hold her up in bed against his wide shoulder and give her a dose of some fiery burning liquid which seemed to burn a way down to her stomach.
    She was conscious of him there, moving around or sitting quietly beside her, but it was too much of an effort to talk.
    The next morning, with a light stubble around his chin, he made her a hot drink, and sponged her hands and face. The doctor came again and Nick took him into the lounge while they talked.
    When the doctor had gone Nick came in and sat on her bed.
    ‘How are you feeling? The doctor is pleased with you and suggests getting a nurse in for a few days.’
    Quickly, she said, ‘I don’t want a nurse. Darren is coming today. Thanks for all you’ve done. I couldn’t possibly have managed without you. You can do one thing for me before you go—telephone the hospital to ask how Cheryl is.’
    ‘I’ve already done so. She’s much better and will be out in a day or so.’
    Even after a night sitting up with her he still looked almost immaculate except for the golden stubble on his chin. She felt a vague resentment that he did not look in the least tired. The grey eyes still mocked and his mobile mouth still had that sardonic twist.
    She looked down at her hands on the coverlet and spoke to them.
    ‘Does Cheryl know I’m ill? I hope you didn’t tell her I don’t want her to come home and look after me when she’s not well herself.’
    ‘Cheryl doesn’t know anything. She’ll put it down to you being too busy with the shop to go and see her. About this brother of yours—you’re sure he’s coming?’
    ‘Certain. Please don’t stay any longer. You missed a night’s rest and you need a shave. I’m awfully grateful, but we shall be able to manage.’
    ‘You mean you can’t wait to be rid of me?’ The fair eyebrows