Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 127368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
I stopped at the side of the bed and took her hand. “Hey.”
“Heya,” she replied, giving me a small, weird smile. She transferred it to Ian. “Hi.”
“Hello, love,” his silken voice rumbled as he came to stand at her bed opposite me. “You look better.”
She lifted one shoulder and dipped her ear to it, but that was all.
I heard the door whoosh shut behind me, looked that way, and saw the doctor had left us alone with Lou.
I turned back to her. “They’re going to keep you here tonight. Did they run any tests?”
“They didn’t need to.”
What?
“Babe, you had a seizure.”
“I also have a brain tumor.”
My head swam, and it felt like the floor buckled and the only thing that kept me standing was Lou’s strong grip on my hand.
“It’s benign, and not large,” she continued hurriedly. “My migraines were coming more often. I went to get checked. They found it about two weeks ago. I’m scheduled for surgery next month to have it out.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, making grave effort to keep my voice measured.
“Well, I told my mum, dad and brother, and they lost it, so I wasn’t all fired up to do that again.”
“Oh, Lou,” I whispered.
“They told me the headaches would probably keep coming, and in extreme cases, something like what happened today would happen. I’m supposed to not stress about anything. Stress can cause flare ups and flare ups could mean anything from losing feeling in my limbs to passing out to seizures.”
Fucking Portia.
“Has any of that happened, outside of what happened this afternoon?” I queried.
“Some tingles. A lot of exhaustion. It’s why I decided to leave Duncroft. I thought I could hack it, but with Portia being Portia and the frequency of the headaches, I knew I had to throw in the towel.”
“Well, once we get you out of here tomorrow, I’ll get you home,” I decided.
“I’ve called Mum and Dad to come get me,” she said and turned to Ian. “And I’m trusting you to look after her.”
Before Ian could reply, I spoke.
“I’m coming home with you,” I declared. “It’s you who needs looking after.”
She returned to me. “That’s what I don’t need.”
“Lou—”
“I’m scared,” she whispered, breaking my heart with her tone. “And I want normal. I want people to treat me like normal. They said it’s in as good a place as it can be, for a tumor. There are hardly any good brain tumors, but if there is one, this is it. It’s called a glioma and they said it’s probably what started the migraines. It’s really slow growing and won’t spread. But they want it out, and I might have some interesting hairstyles for the next year or so, but they say it’s a relatively easy procedure and it shouldn’t return.”
She tugged my hand and kept talking.
“It’s still scary and I want everything to be normal until it has to be not normal for a while. I’m fine. You know Mum would push you out of the way anyway, so she can wait on me hand and foot and drive me crazy, all the while fighting with Dad, since he’ll be trying to do the same thing. So I’ll need you fresh when you come and relieve them after you and Ian are done taking care of things at Duncroft.”
“I’m going to stay here tonight with you, then.”
She shook her head. “No. I already called, and Mum and Dad are on their way. Go home. Have your date in the Conservatory. But please don’t murder Colonel Mustard. I need you unincarcerated to help me pick short haircuts that will look cute on me.”
I started to say something, but she tugged on my hand.
“Don’t,” Lou begged. “I don’t want people fawning over me, worrying about me. There’s going to be a time for that. Please, Daph, don’t make that time now.”
“Whatever you want, honey,” I said immediately.
“Would you like us to bring you anything?” Ian asked, so damned thoughtful. I mean, maybe he was the perfect man. “A nightgown? Book? Your phone? Can we get you some magazines and candy?”
“I’d take the magazines and candy. It might be nice to have a break from my phone.” She gestured to the one on the nightstand. “My parents have the hospital number. They can call me if they need to.” Her head moved on the pillow so she could look at me. “Would you finish packing for me? Mum and Dad and I’ll swing ’round tomorrow to get my things.”
“You got it.”
“Okay, then, not to be rude, but…go. Get on with your night, but mostly, I’m shattered, and I need a nap.”
“Okay, but just so you know, Portia, Daniel and Lady Jane are here,” I informed her.
She looked stunned. “Jane?”
I nodded. “Quick visits? Or do you want me to tell them you’re napping?”