“The coughing and the yellow skin?”
Prof Krüger nodded. “There are multiple tumours in her lungs. Breathing is difficult. Not enough oxygen gets into the bloodstream, hence the mask. Her liver functions are failing, and once that goes…”
“Should I stay in Copenhagen?”
“That’s up to you, but like I said, you could be here for a while. It’s unknown. We have increased her medication, so she won't feel anything. However, she may not be fully aware of her surroundings or who she’s talking to. As her condition worsens, the drug dose rises, and her capacity diminishes.”
Alice stared out into the courtyard and shook her head as she watched two people smoking. “So, I should say goodbye now?”
“Yes, Alice. That would be a good idea.”
“Will she understand me?”
“She should. But she may not be very responsive.”
As Prof Krüger walked Alice to the door, she put her hand on Alice’s shoulder. “Marianne, one of the nurses, told me that a few nights ago, your mother called out several times. It took Marianne a while to understand, but she did eventually. Your mother was calling for you in her sleep.”
*
The room was quiet save for the hum of the air conditioning. Her mother lay on her back with the oxygen mask strapped to her face and her eyes were closed. Alice sat on the chair by the bed and took her mother’s hand in hers.
“Mama?”
There was no reaction. She looked to be in a deep sleep. Alice looked at her mother and shook her head, unsure of what she should feel. Minutes passed in silence. Then Alice let out a long breath, leaned in close to her mother and whispered in her ear. “I forgive you, mama. But not the others. That I cannot do.”
Alice got to her feet and walked to the door. As she went to leave, she looked back to the bed and mouthed goodbye.
53
Cole paced around his flat on Monday evening hoping Alice would return. Flanagan had said about a week, so she should show up in her bedroom tonight or tomorrow. He had the cameras set to record on motion detection to save the battery power, and even though each motion would trigger a push notification to the phone app, from time to time, he still switched the camera in her bedroom to the live view to check.
All he had so far were files of the boyfriend from Sunday evening and Monday morning. At least he knew the camera worked, but he had no interest in the boyfriend. This was all about Alice.
The waiting did his head in, and he continued stomping. Then he grew bored of walking in circles in his living room. He made a cup of tea, lit a cigarette and watched TV with his phone in his hand. Halfway through the TV show his phone beeped. He jumped to his feet and clicked on the corresponding app on his computer. His fingers trembled as he tapped on the full screen mode.
Alice walked to her bed, threw herself on it and stared upwards. Cole squinted to make sure the footage was real. At first, she didn't move. Then she ran her hands through her hair and sat up. She got off the bed and stretched. Cole felt his heart hammer in his chest. He held his breath when she looked straight at the disguised camera, but her expression never changed, and she walked into the bathroom.
Cole watched the empty room for 15 minutes until Alice came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. He leaned closer to the screen as she rummaged in her underwear drawer. But rather than drop the towel, she walked to the far side of the bed and sat with her back to the camera before she clipped on her bra and pulled up her panties.
A bra and pantie video wasn’t what Cole had in mind, and when she left the bedroom having dressed in jeans and a sweater, Cole told himself to be patient. He’d get what he wanted, it was only a matter of time.
54
Alice sat with Ian in the Ancient Raj near Ladbroke Grove, and chased pieces of lamb bhuna around her plate with a fork.
Ian glanced up from his food and watched her. “You okay?”
“Fine. Not hungry.”
“I feel like I haven’t seen you since you got back. Hardly had the chance to talk over the last few days. How’s your mother?”
Alice shrugged. “No change. Drugged up so much she doesn’t know anything or anyone.”
“Do you want to go back?”
She sighed and took a sip of her beer. “No point. And I don't even want to think about it.”
“Fair enough.” He spooned more madras onto his plate. “I spoke to Mark from the agency earlier. He said he had several places we might be interested in. He has two in Maida Vale. One for sale, one for rent. Three bed apartments.”
Alice shook her head. “Prefer a house.”
“Says another agency branch has a 4 bed terrace with garden near Wimbledon at 1.2.”
“Can we afford that?”
Ian nodded. “With a little help from my friends. Or in this case, my parents.”
“Might as well look at the house.”
“I’ll set it up.” He pointed at her beer. “Want another Kingfisher?”
“Small one.”
When the waiter brought two more bottles, Ian filled Alice’s glass and then his own. “How’s Kris? She find anymore condoms?”
“Come on Ian. It’s not funny.”
“Why are you laughing then?”
“I’m not.” She broke off a piece of naan bread and dipped into Ian's madras. “Well maybe
