‘With no available ground space through which to run pipes, this method was thought to provide a better, safer way of getting water to the people.’
It was a better, safer way, it was the only way. Eva knew everyone who now didn’t have to trek miles to collect dirty water were grateful for it.
Think about it like the analyst she used to be. Logically, a couple of hundred cases wasn’t anything to get panicky about; the slum housed people in the high thousands. It might not even be the water. But any infection could spread like Ebola in the time between cooking dinner and sleeping.
“Do we have anyone close?” Eva asked. Close could be two days of travel away on the African continent, but she knew the answer. “We’re all in on India, aren’t we?”
Dario nodded.
It had been such a coup bringing the raised installation through all of its logistical challenges in Africa she’d expected them to carry on rolling it out there. But the Board had other ideas which made sense, given that Chennai and Hyderabad were in the top five most water-stressed megacities. It had been unanimous that Every Drop’s infrastructure would help the most people the fastest there. No point wishing it could be different now.
“Never thought I’d say this but let’s hope it’s a virus or food poisoning,” things people would recover from, “even better if it’s just the media being lazy, connecting the closest dots because it gives them a quick story.” She sighed. “All we can do is monitor it.” She closed her laptop, disconnected it from the dock. “Home now, that’s an order.”
“You’re on your way to hospital, aren’t you?” Dario asked.
Eva padded a whisper touch at her dressing, wet through now. “It’ll be fine.”
“I can probably call in a favour to get you through quicker, so I’m taking you. That’s an order.”
5
Eva’s neck ached. Her laptop was dead, slipped half off her lap when she’d finally fallen asleep. She rolled her shoulders, winced. She wouldn’t do that. Connecting her charger, she pressed the on button until her laptop booted up. Nothing more on the Seitu situation. Could it be what she hoped, a food contamination that could be easily contained, with no one else sick or worse?
The bathroom mirror showed her that walking up the stairs like an old lady had less to do with spending the night on the sofa, more to do with the state of her. The bright white of the dressing over her stitches just drew attention to the spectacular bruise that had blossomed outwards from underneath it round her eye, curving down onto her cheek like a question mark—what happened to you?
It was going to make a statement, shame it was the wrong one.
She looked like the bus had hit her and she was shuffling around as if she was older than her mother. She pulled herself upright. She should have taken the extra strong painkillers the hospital had offered.
Should have, she should have stayed in the office.
Tonight was so important for Every Drop, Eva wanted to scream. She’d chosen her dress with great care, shimmering blue, subtly reinforcing her message about water, and now all anyone would see, would want to know about, was the mess of her face.
Her left knee was the most worrying. As she walked down the stairs into the kitchen diner, it felt more swollen than it was. Did it matter? She hadn’t planned on dancing tonight anyway, she only had time to schmooze and loosen bank accounts.
“I made coffee. . .” Charles’ face was an apology. He stepped into her to hold her but his arms fell back to his sides. “Anywhere not hurt?”
“Eyelashes, fingernails, my toes are okay.”
“God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“I know, it was just a stupid accident. Coffee will help.”
He handed her a mug.
Eva blew the drink. “What did you mean we were safer in the road?”
He gestured at her. “Safer not running at buses and bikes.”
“Safer staying on the pavement.” She ran a hand down his arm, an apology for her wisecrack. “How are we doing here?” She gestured at Lily, sitting at the table, half-hidden beneath her long brown hair, her cereal spoon paused mid-way to her mouth, her attention entirely on her phone.
Charles shrugged.
“Lily, eat, you’re going to be late.” If Eva’s every morning nag popped up on Lily’s phone screen, she might take some notice of it. “Lily,” Eva raised her voice. “Earth to Lily.”
Lily did something on her phone and looked up. Golden brown eyes widened and her mouth formed an actual ‘o’. “You look awful.”
“Thanks. Lesson for you, make sure you only cross the road when the green man is showing.” Eva concentrated on not looking at Charles while she put bread in the toaster. “You’re going to miss your bus.”
“It’s good.” And Eva had lost her.
“Do you want me to take your tux? I’m going straight to the hotel from work. Charles?” He turned back from the window when Eva repeated her question. He looked like Lily when she hadn’t done her homework. “I thought you were getting it yesterday. Tonight’s important.”
He nodded. “I know, don’t worry, I’ll meet you there, all decked out.”
She resisted reminding him about his beard, focussed on Lily instead. “Have you packed your bag for Anya’s?”
“Yeah, it’s by the front door.”
“You’ve got everything you need?”
Lily pushed herself up from the table, tossed her long hair behind her shoulders and fussed with her school bag’s contents. “Mum, relax yourself, I’m not five.”
“Got your phone charger, toothbrush?”
“If I’ve forgotten anything, I can borrow it. It’s only one night.”
“Here,” Eva held her arms out, giving Lily an ‘I’m so proud of you’ hug. So together, so confident, at only eleven. “Call me later.”
“You’ll be busy.” Lily reminded her.
“Not too busy I can’t talk to you but maybe make it before seven.” Eva gave her a tighter squeeze
