‘I’m heading back to mine. My brother’s going to drop me off. The hospital said there’s nothing else we can do tonight. Visiting hours are strict and she’s sleeping anyway. I just need a shower and to eat something that isn’t wrapped in cling film.’
‘Do you want me to come up?’ Daisy shifted the phone to her other ear. ‘I can. The girls are with me tonight, but I can ask Mum. I can sort something out and be there in the morning.’
‘I’d love it if it wasn’t too much and your mum wouldn’t mind. The thing is, my brother is flying to Tokyo tomorrow. He’s speaking at an event…’
Daisy felt a wave of emotion that he’d said yes. She looked down at the floor, at a puddle near her foot where the water had sloshed out over the top and the old navy blue bath mat she’d been meaning to replace. ‘Okay. I’ll work it out. I can drop them early or get Mum to help. I can get on the fast train and be with you in no time.’
‘If you’re sure? Are you not working for Pete tomorrow?’
As it happened, Daisy had already done a turnaround clean for Pete the afternoon before, and she’d done her bakery work early that morning. ‘Actually, I’m clear. I was just going to spend the day cleaning.’
‘I’ll pay the train ticket.’ Miles suggested. ‘Just having you there would help. Everything’s been too much today.’
‘Haven’t you got that big meeting tomorrow?’
‘Yeah, I will see what happens in the morning.’
Daisy remembered that Miles had an aunt not too far away. ‘Where was your mum’s sister again?’
‘Somerset.’
‘That’s right.’
‘I messaged her, but to be honest, I didn’t want to panic her, so I played it down.’
Daisy tightened the towel around her chest. ‘I’ll message you the train times later.’
‘Thank you. I feel a bit pathetic. Like I’m falling apart. I don’t know. When she was unwell before, it was, you know, an illness with steps to follow and procedures. This, this is, I don’t know.Sorry I keep saying I don’t know. She’s been battered, to be honest. I…’
‘You’re not falling apart. Anyone would be emotional in your shoes. You’ll be fine. I’ll just come for a bit of emotional support, we’ll get a coffee and you’ll feel better. It’s a lot to deal with. I cannot, repeat cannot, believe that picture of her. No wonder you’re feeling upset. This is absolutely dreadful. How’s your brother?’
‘The same, really. It’s awful. Plus, he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment.’
Daisy tried to sound supportive. ‘I can be up and back the same day. No drama. Or I can stay. Whatever helps you.’
‘No, no you don’t need to stay. You should get some sleep. You sound knackered.’
‘Not as knackered as you.’
‘True.’ Miles agreed. ‘I am exhausted.’
‘Alright. I’ll go and sort everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Night, Daise. I’ll message you when I get back.’
‘Night.’
Daisy padded into the hallway and looked in on the girls, both fast asleep, legs tangled in their duvets, soft breathing filling the small bedroom. She stood there for a minute, just watching, before heading to her bedroom. Her hair was still wrapped in the turban and her bath towel was around her. Even though she hadn’t known what to expect, she was surprised at how Miles had sounded. Flabbergasted, in fact. His voice had sounded as if he’d been winded, as if someone had literally kicked the air out of him. Really, she didn’t know what to think. She did know that she didn’t want to hear him sound like that ever again. She also knew now just how much she loved him.
23
Daisy hated leaving Pretty Beach for any reason and tried to avoid it as much as possible whenever she could. She didn’t particularly like going anywhere for happy, fun occasions, let alone trekking up to town to be part of a situation that really was not very nice at all. These things come to try us.
After her bathroom phone conversation with Miles, Daisy had phoned Susannah, who, bless her, had jumped in right away and offered to sort out the twins. Susannah had said she’d stay at the bookshop to make things easy and had advised Daisy to pack a change of clothes in her bag and toiletries just in case she wanted to stay. Daisy had little to no inclination to stay up in London, but if Susannah offered advice, she usually took it, so she’d packed clean underwear, a spare blouse and a little toiletries bag full of bits and bobs that she might need. She’d washed her hair when she’d got up at the crack of dawn to prepare a dinner and lunch boxes for the twins, added layers to her outfit so that she was ready for all and any inclement weather, packed a mini umbrella in her bag and had her laptop on board so she would be able to work on the train and was good to go.
Once her mum had arrived and the girls were in their uniforms and had eaten breakfast, Daisy had kissed them and headed for the station with plenty of time to spare. Just as she was getting to the drop-off area at the station, Holly from the bakery was standing by her car on the passenger’s side, helping her mum, Xian, to get out.
Holly lifted her chin in greeting and smiled. ‘Morning, Daise. How are you?’
