Applause (The Dudley Sisters Saga Book 2) by Madalyn Morgan (best authors to read txt) 📕

Margot shot him a fierce look. ‘Are you telling me I’ve missed Nancy’s funeral?’

‘Margot, the doctors were right. Bill was right. You were too ill to attend,’ Salvatore said.

‘When was it?’ Margot asked, looking straight ahead.

‘Yesterday.’

‘I see. I’d like you both to leave now.’

Salvatore stood up and moved away. Bill took his place. He bent down and kissed her. ‘Get some rest, sweetheart. I’ll be back in the morning.’

‘Good. You can bring my black suit and black court shoes with you.’

‘Court shoes? What for? You can’t wear heels. You can’t walk in slippers, so how--’

‘High heels, low heels, I don’t care. There’s a pair of flat shoes somewhere. Bring them if you like.’ Margot looked squarely into Bill’s eyes. ‘I am going to Nancy’s grave tomorrow. I won’t stay long. I’ll come straight back. But I am going, and that is that!’

Salvatore’s smile told Margot that he understood her need to see her friend’s grave. ‘Goodbye, Margot. I will see you soon.’

A little later, Bill was despatched with a list, promising to call on her hairdresser on the way home and arrange for her to go to the hospital and wash and set Margot’s hair.

No sooner had Bill gone than Betsy and George arrived, followed by the doctor and nurse.

‘Did you see Bill on your way out?’

‘Yes. He’s worried that you’re not up to--’ George looked at the doctor. ‘So are we, aren’t we, Bets?’

‘Nothing to worry about, ladies,’ the doctor said, cutting in on the conversation. ‘A couple of weeks and Miss Dudley will be on her feet and dancing the light fantastic.’

‘Did you hear that, Margot?’ George asked. ‘A couple of weeks.’

‘I’m going to Nancy’s grave tomorrow and that’s all there is to it.’

The doctor spun round. ‘I’m afraid you are not going anywhere tomorrow!’

‘Yes I am. I am going to the grave of my friend – with or without your permission.’

The doctor picked up Margot’s notes and flicked through them. ‘It seems the patients are running the hospitals these days.’ He handed the notes to the nurse and looked down at Margot. ‘If anything goes wrong with your ankle and you’re not able to dance again, don’t come crying to me.’ He shot a look at the nurse, who nodded in agreement, and he left the room.

‘Doctor’s right, you know,’ the nurse said. ‘You could undo all the work he’s done. You could end up crippled for the rest of your life, if you’re not careful.’

‘Then I’ll be careful.’

‘You’ll have to go in a wheelchair.’

Margot wrinkled her nose and frowned.

With her hands on her hips, the nurse stood her ground. ‘If you want to leave the hospital, Miss Dudley, we can’t legally stop you. But doctor won’t let you out of this room unless you’re in a wheelchair. It’s up to you!’

‘All right! We can’t have the inmates making decisions for themselves, can we?’

The nurse didn’t reply. ‘And you’re to come back immediately you’ve--’

‘I will.’ Margot rolled her eyes.

‘And no!’ the nurse laughed. ‘We can’t have the inmates making decisions, especially when they’re contrary to what doctor says.’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘“Margot Dudley Crippled! A friend close to the actress said…” What friend?’ Bill shrugged and shook his head.

‘“Will Margot Dudley Ever Walk Again?” Where do they get this rubbish? Walk again? I intend to dance again – and soon.’ Margot threw the newspaper onto the chair at the side of the bed and pushed herself up into a sitting position. ‘I swear I’ll go mad if I have to spend another night in this damn bed. Where the hell’s the doctor?’ She swung her legs over the side of the narrow cot, stood up too quickly and stumbled.

Bill leapt forward, arms outstretched. ‘Are you sure you’re ready to leave, Margot?’

‘Yes!’ Allowing Bill to steady her, she looked into his eyes and put her arms around his neck. ‘I’m very sure. I want to cuddle up to my husband and fall asleep in his arms. And when I wake up in the morning, I want to be in my own bed and…’ She laid her head on Bill’s shoulder and walked her fingers from his belt to his chest. ‘I’ve missed you. It’s been weeks…’ she purred.

Spotting the nurse in the corridor, Margot pursed her lips as if to kiss him, but Bill turned his head and cleared his throat.

‘Don’t worry, Mr Dudley, your wife doesn’t shock me,’ the nurse said, entering the room.

Margot giggled. Bill was always being called Mr Dudley. He didn’t mind and she had long since given up correcting people.

The doctor arrived at last. ‘Up and dressed already?’

‘Yes!’ Margot sat on the bed. ‘No offence, doctor, but the sooner I get out of here the better.’

‘What if I don’t think you’re ready to leave?’

Margot took the walking stick from the back of the chair and brandished it in the air. ‘If you won’t let me out of here, Doctor Frankenstein, I shall whack you with my stick.’

The doctor took a step backwards and put his hands up. ‘I surrender,’ he laughed. The nurse passed him Margot’s notes. Reading them, his smile faded to a frown.

‘What now?’

‘You’re still not sleeping.’

‘Of course I am. Well, I’m sleeping better than I was, aren’t I, nurse?’

The nurse, looking sideways at the notes the doctor was holding, pressed her lips together and said nothing. ‘And the bad dreams?’

‘Haven’t had one for weeks.’ The doctor looked from Margot to the nurse who, Margot thought, was about to shop her. ‘All right! I do occasionally have a bad dream, but they’re getting less, honestly.’

After what seemed like an age the doctor inhaled, then blew out his cheeks. ‘You win! But,’ he said, handing