Moving On (A Polvellan Cornish Mystery Book 6) Page 6

  Jess reached for her. ‘Come to Granny, sweetheart.’ But Helen recoiled and stretched out her arms to Shelley, who sent Jess a look of apology as she took her. Immediately the little girl nestled into the curve of Shelley’s neck.

  ‘Sorry about that, Ma. It’s these damned teeth –’

  Jess patted his arm. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m just sorry she’s having such a hard time, poor little mite. Come on in. The kettle’s boiled. Shelley, would you prefer coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?’

  ‘I’d love some hot chocolate.’

  ‘All milk? Half and half?

  ‘Half and half, please.’

  ‘Rob?’

  ‘Tea, please. I’ve drunk enough coffee these past few days to float a ship.’

  In the kitchen area, Jess poured milk into a small saucepan and boiled the kettle.

  ‘What a beautiful portrait,’ Shelley said, moving forward to look at the canvas Jess had propped up on one of the armchairs. Helen had calmed and was dozing against her shoulder. ‘Who is she?’

  ‘She was born Roxanne Zelie Montclare to French parents. She married an English soldier, Major James Henry Carveth, in 1814. The painting was in the attic of someone who died a few months ago. Her son found it when he was clearing the house. It was wrapped in an old sheet that a friend of mine dated to the late eighteenth century.’

  She made the drinks and brought them to the coffee table noticing how, even while she studied the painting, Shelley continued gently rocking the baby. It struck Jess that Shelley held Helen with more tenderness and affection than Fiona had ever shown.

  ‘How did she do that?’

  ‘The sheet is decorated with raised embroidery that includes a monogram. Styles of monograms changed over time and in different countries so she was able to narrow it down from that. The design of Roxanne’s dress and her hair style suggest the portrait was painted between 1805 and 1815.’

  ‘That’s amazing.’

  ‘Not really. The information is out there. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.’

  ‘Like a treasure hunt.’

  Jess smiled. ‘Exactly. It’s fascinating because one thing leads to another then another and I stumble across things I’d never have known about.’ She opened her arms. ‘Shall I take Helen for a moment while you have your chocolate?’

  Shelley carefully passed the little girl over. Helen stirred and whimpered. Jess gathered her close, kissed the top of her head and walked around the kitchen talking softly. She watched Shelley pick up her mug and drink, still looking at the painting. She looked closer, stood back then glanced round.

  ‘What?’ Jess asked.

  ‘It’s – there’s something –’ she shook her head.

  ‘Come on, Shel, spit it out. I’m on the edge of my seat.’ Rob’s smile was warm. Jess could not remember the last time she had seen him so at ease.

  Shelley shot him a droll look then turned to Jess. ‘Her eyes –’

  ‘Are sad even though her mouth is smiling?’

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘That’s exactly what my friend Viv said the first time she saw the picture.’

  Draining his mug, Rob rose and went to look at the portrait. ‘You’re right. Why didn’t I see that?’

  Shelley smiled. ‘You’re off-duty and she’s not a patient.’

  Jess glanced at her, surprised. Catching the brief look that passed between them, Jess realised this calm young woman truly understood the pressures her son lived with every day.

  ‘Thanks, Ma,’ Rob carried his mug to the draining board. ‘Sorry to run but we’d better get going. I’m on duty again this evening and I need sleep.’

  ‘Thanks for coming. Shelley, it’s been a pleasure.’ Gently she transferred the sleeping baby back into her nanny’s arms.’

  ‘I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and hearing about your work.’

  Helen opened her eyes. Her forehead puckered, her lower lip stuck out and she started to whimper.

  Rob led the way down the path and opened the car. Jess followed. Shelley strapped Helen into her seat then straightened up.

  ‘I’ll ride in the back with her, Rob.’ She picked up one little hand, kissed it and gently brushed Helen’s hair back from her forehead. ‘Soon be home,’ she soothed.

  ‘You’re very welcome to bring Helen over again, Shelley,’ Jess said through the open front window.

  ‘Thanks, Mrs Trevanion –’

  ‘Please call me Jess.’

  ‘Thank you, Jess. I’d like to, come again I mean. I hope next time Helen will be back to her usual happy self. I’ll phone first to make sure it’s convenient.’

  Rob fastened his seatbelt, started the engine and with a final wave, drove away.

  Jess went back inside, her thoughts churning as she washed up. Shelley’s placid manner was restful, her obvious love for Helen reassuring, but her son’s expression as he looked at the nanny rang a whole peal of warning bells.

  Chapter Six

  Harry Carveth’s blue gaze held hers. She could see his mouth moving and knew he was telling her something important. But she couldn’t hear a word because his voice was lost beneath the trill of a phone. She ignored it, anxious to hear what he was trying to say. It grew louder, more insistent. His face shattered into fragments. Her eyes flew open and she gazed into darkness.

  Pushing herself up on one elbow, she pressed the button on her bedside lamp and peered at the small clock whose hands pointed at five to twelve. She hadn’t dropped off until eleven. Then she heard the phone ringing downstairs.

  Her heart gave an unpleasant thump and she shoved back the covers and catapulted out of bed, grabbing her robe from the chair and pushing her arms into the sleeves as she ran downstairs. A midnight phone call was never good news.

  ‘Hello?’ she croaked, her throat dry, her heart hammering painfully against her ribs.

  ‘Hello, Mrs – Jess, this is Shelley. I’m at the hospital with Helen.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘We don’t know. She was restless and fretful at bedtime so I gave her a dose of Calpol. I looked in on her at eight and she was asleep. But when I checked on her at ten she was running a fever and had a rash. So I called the paramedics. Rob’s on duty tonight and I didn’t want to worry him if it wasn’t serious. But the paramedics thought she should be seen by a doctor. Rob asked Mr Tadros to look at her and she was admitted straight away. I thought you’d want to know.’

  ‘Thanks, Shelley. I’ll be over as soon as I can.’ She ended the call and phoned Viv.

  ‘Mitchell’s Recovery,’ said a sleepy male voice.

  ‘Jimmy, it’s Jess Trevanion. I’m sorry to wake you –’

  ‘That’s all right, Jess. What’s matter?’

  Jess heard the rustle of bedclothes, a mumble then Viv’s voice.

  ‘What’s wrong, my bird?’

  ‘Shelley has just rung. Helen’s in hospital –’

  ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes. Pick you up by your gateway.’ She had gone before Jess could thank her.

  Racing back upstairs, Jess quickly dressed, splashed her face with cold water, dragged a comb through her hair and ran down again. She pulled on a fleece, grabbed her handbag and reached the pavement at the end of her garden path as Viv’s little car pulled up with a jerk.

  ‘You are a gem,’ Jess said, fumbling with her seatbelt as Viv took off again.

  ‘Don’t be daft. We’re friends. You was there for me. Now ’tis my turn. So what’s wrong?’

  ‘They don’t know. Just that Helen has got a high temperature and a rash. When Rob and Shelley brought her over today she was fretful, not herself at all. But she’s got back teeth coming through so we thought it was that. Shelley kept checking on her after putting her to bed, and gave her some Calpol.’

  ‘Brilliant stuff that is,’ Viv said, hunched over the steering wheel as the little car flew along the quiet road. ‘I’d have swung for my two when they was little if it wasn’t for that. Sorry, bird, you w
as saying?’

  ‘By ten Helen had a fever and a rash. Shelley rang the paramedics. They thought she should be seen by a doctor, so they took her in.’

  ‘Good thing too,’ Viv nodded. ‘Like you said, it’s most likely her teeth. But better to get her looked at, especially with her being so young.’ She raced round the roundabout, up the hill, into the hospital car park and round to the A&E entrance. ‘I’ll park up then come in.’

  Jess walked quickly into the busy, noisy department, her nose wrinkling at the smell of disinfectant, blood and vomit. She looked for Shelley or Rob. Nurses wearing different coloured scrubs hurried to and fro, deftly avoiding porters pushing trolleys and wheelchairs.

  Most of the chairs in the waiting area were occupied. Jess saw a teenager with a bandaged head, swollen black eye and split lip staring into space. A middle-aged couple held hands, the woman clutching a handkerchief and wiping away unstoppable tears. Two skimpily dressed girls were supporting a third who sagged between them, eyes rolling as she shook and moaned. A shouting drunk in a bloodstained T-shirt had been cornered by two security men.

  Starting towards the admissions desk she saw medical staff working on patients in four bays. Then Rob emerged from one.

  ‘R – Dr Trevanion!’ she called, waving to catch his attention. Startled, he veered towards her.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Shelley phoned. What’s wrong with Helen?’

  ‘We’re not sure yet. But we’ve seen several cases of meningitis in the last two weeks –’ he broke off, clearing his throat.

  ‘Oh, Rob, no. Where is she now?’

  ‘In isolation. Shelley’s with her.’

  ‘Does Fiona know?

  Stress had carved lines on his face and bitterness thinned his mouth. ‘I phoned her mobile but it’s switched off. So I rang the hotel reception desk. I was promised a message would be passed for her to call me back. I’m still waiting.’

  ‘There could be any number of reasons –’

  ‘It’s after midnight, Ma.’ His pager buzzed. He glanced at it, drew her with him to the nurse’s station. A nurse moved away to deal with another enquiry as he lifted the receiver and pressed numbers. Viv came in, looked round, spotted Jess and hurried over.

  ‘I said I was family,’ Viv kept her voice low. ‘You can tell me off later. Do they know what it is yet?’

  ‘They’re worried about meningitis.’

  ‘Oh, the poor little soul.’

  Rob kept hold of Jess’s arm so she could hear both sides of the conversation. ‘Fiona, I’ve been trying to reach you –’

  ‘A group of us went for a meal. We’ve just got back.’

  ‘Helen is in hospital.’

  ‘What happened? Was it an accident? Is she hurt?’

  ‘No. She developed a sudden fever and rash. Shelley called the paramedics and they thought she should be admitted.’

  ‘So she’s in the best possible place. You’ll make sure she has everything she needs.’

  ‘You’re not coming home?’

  ‘What would be the point? You’re a doctor. Shelley’s her nanny. Surely the two of you can deal with it? If I leave now I’ll miss some important sessions.’

  Jess reached blindly for Viv who caught her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

  ‘God forbid your child’s illness should interfere –’

  ‘Don’t take that tone with me, Rob. I told you what this meant –’

  ‘We’ll discuss it when you get home.’ Replacing the receiver, he stood for a moment, gathering himself before he turned.

  ‘Dear life, this place is some noisy,’ Viv told him as if she hadn’t heard a word. ‘Remember me? Viv Mitchell. We met soon after your ma moved back to the village.’

  ‘Viv drove me over,’ Jess explained.

  ‘That was good of you, Mrs Mitchell.’

  Waving his thanks aside, she turned to Jess. ‘Listen, bird, while you’re in seeing the baby I’ll go and have a cuppa tea.’

  ‘The cafeteria isn’t open overnight,’ Rob said. ‘But there’s a drinks machine in the isolation unit visitors’ room. I’ll take you through. Just to warn you, Ma, Helen’s heart rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels are being monitored so she’s attached to several machines.’

  Hearing the strain in his voice, Jess felt a lump form in her throat. How many times had he said those words to other families? But this was his child. She swallowed hard, dug for strength. ‘Will I be allowed to touch her?’

  He nodded. ‘The bedside nurse will show you how to avoid disturbing any of the monitoring equipment. Please use the spray foam on your hands when you go into the visitors’ room. Before you go on to the unit to see Helen you’ll be asked to put on a mask and a plastic apron and wash your hands with soap and water.’

  He pushed open the door, immediately turned to the dispenser and rubbed the foam thoroughly over his hands. Jess and Viv did the same.

  They were in a lobby area. At the far end Jess saw nurses wearing raspberry coloured scrubs and hairnets, moving between their station and several open bays on the left. On the right were three glass-walled isolation cubicles. Rob opened the visitors’ room door. Jess was glad it was empty.

  ‘Help yourselves to a drink. I’ll fetch a nurse.’

  ‘She is in the best place, Jess,’ Viv said as the door closed behind him.

  ‘Of course she is. But –’ her voice faltered. ‘She’s only a baby, Viv.’

  ‘Babies are a lot stronger than they look. We both know that. They can be sick as dogs all night then next day they’re fine again and want to play. It’s us that need a week to get over the fright. You went through it with yours like I did with mine. She’ll be all right, you’ll see.’

  The door opened and a middle-aged nurse came in carrying a flat package wrapped in clear plastic. ‘Mrs Trevanion?’ She smiled at Jess.

  ‘How did you know it was her, not me?’ Viv asked.

  The nurse laughed. ‘Dr Trevanion has his mother’s eyes.’ She handed Jess the package. ‘If you’ll put on the apron and mask, then wash your hands thoroughly with soap,’ she indicated the basin on the wall and the paper towel dispenser alongside, ‘I’ll take you to see Helen.’

  ‘How is she?’ Jess asked. Tying the apron behind her back and pulling the mask over her head and down to her chin, she crossed to the basin.

  ‘Poorly,’ the nurse said. ‘But she’s no worse. We’ve given her a sedative to help her rest.’

  Jess dried her hands and dropped the used towels into the bin. With a last glance at Viv who gave her a thumbs-up, she followed the nurse. As they reached the door of the isolation cubicle, another nurse hurried over.

  As the two talked quietly, Jess looked into cubicle and saw Rob standing with his arm around Shelley who leaned into him as they looked down at the small figure dwarfed by the full-sized bed.

  Remembered anguish stabbed Jess like a blade. Like father, like son? Alex had had a mistress for eighteen years and a daughter she’d known nothing about. Guilt smothered her anger. She was being unfair. Shelley was here because Fiona’s priority was her job. She had chosen not to leave her course despite her child being in hospital. Was it really so surprising that Rob should be drawn to a young woman who cared enough about his daughter to stay with her day and night?

  ‘Sorry to keep you,’ the nurse said as her colleague bustled away. She opened the door.

  Shelley straightened up, wiping her eyes. Rob’s gaze met his mother’s and in his she read both plea and challenge. His arm remained around Shelley’s shoulders a moment longer.

  ‘Thank you for calling me,’ Jess said quietly, touching Shelley’s hand. ‘I really appreciate it.’

  Shelley nodded. The nurse was at the machines, checking the readouts. Rob gazed at Helen. Then his pager buzzed.

  ‘I have to get back to A&E.’ As he walked Shelley to the door Jess looked down at her granddaughter who was naked but for a nappy, her small body and limbs covered in a da
rk red rash. Pads on her chest were connected to a machine that monitored her heartbeat. Another fed oxygen into her lungs through a tube in her nose. Her face was pale, her hair damp and pushed back off her forehead. Her lashes lay like fans on her cheeks.

  Blinking hard to dispel tears before they could fall, she heard Rob tell Shelley to have a drink, something to eat, and close her eyes for ten minutes. He’d come back as soon as he could. She heard the door close and he came to her side.

  ‘Is it meningitis, Rob?’ Instinctively she kept her voice low. His hesitation sent a chill down her spine.

  ‘She has a very high temperature. You saw how clingy and irritable she was this morning. But what worried Shelley was her crying. She said it sounded different from usual and Helen’s hands and feet were cold. Those can be signs of meningitis.’

  ‘How did Shelley know?’

  ‘She did a course on childhood illnesses as part of her training.’

  Thank God. ‘I thought Helen had been vaccinated?’

  ‘She was. Vaccinations reduce the risk of catching a disease but they aren’t a hundred per cent effective. What they do is make sure any infection is mild.’ She heard him swallow. ‘If anything happens to her, Ma –’

  ‘It won’t,’ Jess said firmly, praying she was right. ‘Helen couldn’t be in better hands.’

  He drew a deep breath, regained control. ‘Thank Christ Shelley went with her gut. If she had waited –’

  ‘Oh, Rob.’ She would have hugged him but he took a step back. ‘Save it for later or you’ll need a fresh apron and mask.’

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’

  ‘You’re doing it. You being here will give Shelley a break. I can’t believe Fiona –’ He stopped, the bleakness in his expression hit Jess hard. He glanced towards the bed. Jess saw what it cost him to walk away. He paused at the basin to wash his hands before leaving.

  ‘Ready?’ The nurse pointed to a chair facing the bed head and level with Helen’s little body. ‘You can hold her hand. Touch is very comforting to a sick child. So is the sound of a familiar voice. Talk to her. Sing if you like. Even though she’s sedated she’ll know. I’ll be in and out so if you’re worried, or need anything, just say.’ She left.