Carole nodded. ‘She needs a blanket. Can you get one from her bedroom? We need to keep her warm.’
Amanda went to the bedroom, took a comforter off the end of the bed and came back and draped it over Diana.
‘Have you told Simon?’ Carole asked.
Amanda shook her head. ‘Don’t ask.’
Amanda heard the ambulance in the distance and went outside to meet them.
‘Put Trotsky out the back,’ Carole called and Amanda went and did as she said, feeling sick from worry now. And to think she was going to confront Diana and tell her she was leaving Moongate because she hadn’t told her the whole truth. She felt terrible as she watched Diana being bundled into the back of the ambulance.
After Carole had spoken to one of the paramedics in depth, she came to Amanda’s side. ‘We think it’s a stroke. She needs urgent attention.’ Carole reached out and held Amanda’s hand. ‘We have to be prepared for the worst but hope for the best,’ she said.
Amanda started to cry. ‘Oh it’s so terrible, it’s awful.’
Carole pulled her into a hug. ‘It is, it’s awful. Now go and get dressed and grab the dog – you’re coming to ours,’ she said. ‘And then we’ll go to the hospital.’
*
Amanda had packed a bag and took her computer and charger, but ran back into the house and grabbed the pearls in their silk bag. They were too precious to be left unattended.
She was soon in Carole’s car and they were on their way to Carole and Janet’s house, with Trotsky sitting in the back seat with all of his canine accoutrements next to him, including his bed.
‘I haven’t even showered,’ said Amanda.
‘You can shower at ours and then we can head to hospital. They won’t let us in until they have done an assessment and have answers anyway.’
Amanda clenched and unclenched her hands.
‘So, where was Simon?’ Carole asked in a calm voice.
‘He’s left.’
‘Left?’ Carole glanced at Amanda.
‘Yes, he’s packed up and gone.’ Amanda looked out the window.
‘Did he send you a message at least? Say when he would be back?’
Amanda felt the tears starting again. ‘God, I keep crying – it’s so annoying,’ she said, shaking her head as though trying to get rid of a fly that was annoying her.
‘Of course you’re crying. You’re stressed and you’ve had a traumatic experience,’ Carole said. ‘Cry all the stress out.’
Amanda closed her eyes.
‘Did you and Simon have a fight?’ Carole asked.
‘No,’ Amanda said. ‘Maybe, I don’t know.’ She sighed. ‘I don’t care now – I only care about Diana. Simon is collateral damage.’
‘Ouch,’ said Carole.
Amanda shrugged. ‘Simon had to choose between me and Anika. He chose Anika.’
Carole pulled up to her and Janet’s house. ‘I’m sorry, Amanda,’ she said. ‘I really am.’
‘Don’t be,’ Amanda said as she opened the car door.
Inside, Janet was waiting for them both, immediately taking Trotsky’s lead from Carole.
