‘And I’d quit making threats, if I was you,’ Suzie replied icily. ‘Unless you wouldn’t want the drug squad to hear about that little business you’re running in your flat.’
‘You what?’ Carol drew her head back. ‘You’re talking shit.’
‘Am I?’ Suzie challenged. ‘Well I guess you won’t have anything to worry about when they pay you a surprise visit, will you?’
Carol’s fat jowls quivered and her mouth flapped open as if she wanted to continue the argument. Then, seeming to think better of it, she clamped her mouth shut and gave Suzie a murderous look before stomping away.
Pacing the hallway, chewing her thumbnail, Holly said, ‘What was all that about?’ when Suzie came inside. ‘She looked like she wanted to kill you.’
‘Oh, she did,’ Suzie chuckled, closing the door. ‘But I doubt she’ll bother us again now she knows that I know about her little sideline.’
‘Sideline?’ Holly repeated, following when Suzie headed into the kitchen after hanging up her coat.
‘She’s a dealer,’ Suzie said, twisting the lid off the wine bottle and looking around for glasses.
‘How do you know?’ Holly took two out of the cupboard and passed them to her.
‘I haven’t been sleeping too well since Rob left, and I see a lot of people coming in and out of here at odd hours,’ Suzie explained as she poured the drinks. ‘They never stay for long, so I figured someone in here must be supplying them. I didn’t know it was her for sure, but her reaction when I threatened to report her to the drug squad confirmed it.’
‘Wow.’ Holly shook her head. ‘And she had the cheek to warn me about hanging round with you.’
‘I don’t give a toss what she thinks of me,’ Suzie said dismissively. ‘Anyway, forget her and go and wash that mascara off your face, then put your jimmies on while I find us a film to watch.’
21
Josie opened her eyes, but immediately wished she hadn’t when a harsh overhead light blinded her. Raising her arm to block it out, she felt something tug at her skin and squinted in confusion at the bulky plastic thing taped to the back of her hand. She followed the clear plastic tube coming out of it to a drip standing beside the bed, and her heart lurched when she realized she was in hospital. But why?
Swallowing dryly when a vague memory nudged into her consciousness, she closed her eyes and tried to grab onto it. She’d made lamb stew, she remembered. It was Holly’s favourite meal when she was little, and she’d made it because she felt guilty for not listening when Holly had told her she was being bullied and had asked for time off school. She’d got up early and gone to the shop, then she’d made the stew and eaten with Holly before heading out to work. And then . . .
Nothing. Just empty black space.
Struggling to sit up, she cried out when a sharp pain tore through the back of her head.
‘Take it easy,’ a voice cautioned.
A nurse appeared at the side of the bed, and Josie gazed up at her. ‘Why . . . why am I here?’ she asked, her voice raspy to her own ears.
‘The police will explain,’ the nurse replied evasively. ‘I’ll give them a ring and let them know you’re awake. Now, how are you feeling?’
‘Like I’ve been hit by a train,’ Josie said truthfully.
‘The meds you were given when you came in are probably wearing off, so I’ll get you some more,’ the nurse said. ‘And would you like a drink?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Won’t be a sec.’
The nurse left the room and Josie looked around. There were three more beds in the room, all occupied by frail-looking old ladies who, with the exception of the one in the far corner whose gaze seemed transfixed by something on the ceiling, were fast asleep and snoring softly. Quietly, to avoid disturbing them, Josie lifted the sheet off her legs and gingerly sat up again. A dark bruise had spread out across the back of her hand, and she winced when she accidentally jabbed the tender flesh with her thumbnail while trying to peel off the tape that was holding the cannula in place. Distracted by the sight of yet more bruises running up her arms, she sucked in a sharp breath when she noticed dark blood on the front of the gown she was wearing.
The nurse came back into the room carrying a jug of water and two tablets in a small plastic cup. Rushing over to the bed when she saw Josie teetering on the edge of the mattress, she put the items on the table and eased her back against the pillows, saying, ‘Try not to move around too much. If you need the toilet, I’ll fetch you a bedpan.’
‘I – I need to go home,’ Josie said, licking her dry lips. ‘My daughter—’
‘The police have spoken to her and she’s safe with her aunt,’ the nurse said, pulling the sheet over her legs before drawing the curtain around the bed. ‘Now stop worrying and try to relax.’
Josie’s heart thudded painfully in her chest and the blood rushed to her head. ‘I’ve got to go home,’ she gasped, struggling to sit up again. ‘I need to see her.’
‘What you need is to keep still,’ the nurse said firmly, placing a hand on her arm to hold her in place. ‘You’re in no fit state to go anywhere, and Doctor Ross will be in to see you shortly, so—’
‘You don’t understand,’ Josie said, her voice rising in panic. ‘Holly hasn’t got an aunt. I don’t know who she’s with.’
‘Calm down,’ the nurse said patiently, holding her arm. ‘It’s perfectly normal to feel confused when you’ve suffered a trauma to the head, but things will start settling down if you relax
