Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine (reading an ebook TXT) 📕

you it is hard to imagine it did not happen, but you must try to put things in perspective. "

Behind him Nick and Sarah exchanged glances. Without a word she poured two more measures of brandy. Taking one for herself, she handed the other to Nick. He sat down heavily on the edge of the desk, his hand shaking as he raised it to his lips.

Bennet beckoned Sarah over. He stood up. "Sit here with her for a minute, " he said softly.

As Sarah took his place and put a comforting hand on Jo's arm, he spoke to Nick in an undertone.

"Is there someone at home to look after her?"

Nick nodded grimly. "I'll be there. "

"Then I suggest the best thing is for you to take her back and put her to bed. All she needs is a good night's sleep. I'll prescribe something. " He reached into his desk for his prescription pad. "You mentioned that she nearly died under hypnosis before. Do you know the circumstances? You must believe me, she did not tell me, and neither did your brother. "

"She doesn't know. " Nick glanced at Jo. He lowered his voice still further. "I think you should speak to Sam. He was there. "

"Dr. Franklyn did try to contact me. " Bennet frowned. "But Joanna said I was not to confer with him. I must confess I did intend to speak to him. I suspected something must have occurred before, in spite of her protestations, but nothing like this!" He ran his fingers through his hair. "Nothing. "

Nick scowled. "It is obviously time you and Sam got together, whatever Jo says. I'll tell him to get in touch with you again. Meanwhile, can you be sure she is all right?"

Bennet glanced at Jo. "I'll give you my home number. If anything happens over the weekend to worry you, call me. On Monday I have to fly to Chicago for ten days. It can't be avoided—but I can give you the name of a colleague—"

"Don't bother. " Nick stood up. "She won't need to see anyone else. I'll take care of her. "

It was another hour before Jo was well enough to stand. Helped by Sarah, Nick half carried her out to the waiting taxi. Thankfully he climbed in beside her and sat back, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Feeling okay now?"

She drew away slightly. "I'm fine. I'm sorry. I made a fool of myself in there. "

"It was hardly your fault. " He stared out of the window. "I've asked the driver to stop off at a late-opening drugstore. "

"Why?"

"Bennet's prescribed something to help you sleep tonight. " He felt in his pocket for the prescription.

Jo snatched it out of his hand. "You know what I think of sleeping pills, Nick. Tell the driver to go straight to Cornwall Gardens. " She tore the paper into tiny pieces.

"You can drop me off and then go on back to Judy. "

"Jo. " Nick was reproachful.

"Well, that is where you were, presumably? She's the only person who knew what I was doing this afternoon. I don't know why I told her really. " She closed her eyes wearily, letting the scraps of the prescription flutter unnoticed onto the floor of the cab.

"You told her because you wanted me with you, " Nick said gently.

Jo did not reply.

Once they were back at her apartment, Nick guided Jo to the sofa and she collapsed onto it with a sigh. He frowned. "Shall I call Sam, Jo? He ought to come to look at you. "

"No!" With an effort she sat upright again. "I'll be fine, Nick. I'm going to have a bath, then I'll go to bed. There is no need for you to stay. Really. " She glanced at him. At Bennet's and in the taxi she had been glad he was there, been reassured by his touch, but something had happened as he put his arm around her to help her up the stairs. She had been consumed with panic. It had obliterated every other feeling in her for a moment, even making her forget the baby. She had felt herself go rigid, her breath caught in a spasm of fear. Then, as swiftly as it had come, the feeling had disappeared, leaving her shaking like a leaf. She swallowed hard. "Please, Nick. I'd like to be alone. "

Nick frowned. "At least let me wait until you're in bed, " he said at last. "I shan't come near you, if that's what is worrying you. But I ought to stay. Supposing you fainted in the bath or something?"

Jo hesitated. She had been on the point of protesting that she had never fainted in her life.

"Okay, " she said at last unwillingly. "Thank you. "

"Let me stay next door on the sofa. " He tried once more when she was at last in bed.

"No, Nick. Thanks, but no. " She took his hand.

"You won't play the tape of what happened?"

"No. I'm going to sleep. Don't worry about me, Nick. "

Nick looked at her for a moment, then he shrugged. "Right. I'll be at my apartment. Promise you'll call if you need me?"

"I promise. Now, please go. "

She sat unmoving until she finally heard the door bang behind him. Then at last she lay back on the pillows and allowed the tears to fall. How could she tell him how much she wanted him to stay? Or how much she was suddenly afraid of him?

She fell asleep at last with the bedside lamp on, unable to bring herself to face total darkness. Outside her window the night was hot and stuffy. Slowly the pubs in Gloucester Road emptied and the sound of talk and laughter echoed up from the mews as people strolled home, enjoying the heady magic of a London night. Restlessly she turned on her pillow, trying to find a cool spot for her head, half hearing the noise as she drifted further into sleep. Outside the street quietened.