Page 46 of Snow Falls Over Starry Cove
At that, he straightens the lapels of his coat, runs a hand through his dark wavy hair and without even trying to defend himself or put her in her place, he stalks off as the entire village looks on in stunned silence. I watch in shock as he turns the church corner and as he snaps his head round for one last glare, the last thing I see is the flash of utter hurt in his eyes.
It’s obvious that he had something to do with my grandfather’s death. How? Obviously I don’t know him, but the look on his face would be enough to move a stone giant. Whatever Jago’s done, or what my grandmother thinks he’s done, and no matter how wild he is, no one deserves that kind of public humiliation.
Before I know it, Lady Heatherton buckles and I barely manage to break her fall as Nettie grabs her other arm to help. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Calvin rushing from the verge of the road to our side as everyone crowds in to see.
‘Clear, clear!’ says a female voice from ahead, and the congregation parts like the Red Sea for a woman who bends over to feel her pulse.
Lady Heatherton is pale but trying to sit up, without much success.
‘Let’s get her to my office,’ she orders Calvin, who immediately lifts her into his arms like the tiny weight that she is and heads for the car.
Nettie and I pile in with the doctor, who’s measuring her pulse.
‘Is she going to be OK?’ I ask.
It would be horrible to see anything happen to her. Granted, she’s not the nicest lady who ever lived, but I can think of worse. Besides, she’s my only living relative. I can’t lose her now that I’ve found her!
‘Yes, she’ll be OK,’ she assures. ‘She’s just too highly strung and keeps having these episodes. They’ve worsened since Nano’s death.’
Why did the encounter with Jago trigger this reaction? What’s the story? I’m dying to know now.
In three minutes flat we’re at a house on the high street that has a glass door with a tag reading Dr Janice Miller, GP.
‘This way,’ she beckons me, because Calvin knows exactly where to go.
I follow them into an entrance hall through to her examination room, where Calvin gently lays her down on the examination table.
‘Has she been taking her medication regularly?’ the doctor asks.
‘All of it, religiously,’ Calvin answers. ‘And she does her morning exercises and takes her walks with the dogs. At least an hour a day.’
‘Diet?’
‘The one you prescribed, Doctor Miller.’
Obviously Calvin has worked for my grandmother for many years and seems very close to her. My eyes ping-pong back and forth between the two of them, hoping to glean some information. Is she ill? How ill? Am I going to lose her before I even get the chance to get to know her?
‘It was to be expected today,’ the doctor comments. ‘Although I don’t suppose Jago’s appearance did her any favours.’
‘No, Doctor. It certainly hasn’t,’ Calvin agrees.
‘Why? What’s Jago got to do with anything?’ I ask them.
Calvin and the doctor exchange glances.
‘Nano drowned in the sea,’ the doctor says. ‘Jago couldn’t save him. Word is, he didn’t even try.’
‘But who would believe a thing like that? Why would he let him drown?’
Again, they glance at each other, but no answer comes.
What is going on here? I want to ask, but I have a feeling that, being an outsider, I won’t be getting any joy.
My grandmother begins to stir and looks straight up at Dr Miller, confused.
‘It’s not Friday already, is it?’ she asks as she eyes me, probably wondering what I’m doing here, before she looks back at the doctor. ‘My medicals are usually on Friday…’
Dr Miller puts a gentle hand on her grandmother’s arm. ‘No, Lady Heatherton. You just had a little episode, is all. But you’re fine now. How do you feel?’
