Page 64 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“What happens now?” Danny asks.

“We’ve been managing to give him fluids although he’d stopped eating. Up until yesterday, we were giving him meal replacement shakes, but they’re too thick for him to swallow now. He’s sipping water, but it’s getting harder. Once he loses the ability to swallow, it’s really the beginning of the end. If hebegins to become distressed, we can give him medication to calm him and make sure he isn’t in pain.”

“Lois,” I whisper.

“I know, darling.” She leans in and places her hand on my knee. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s comfortable. But this won’t be easy for you to watch. Some people struggle with watching their loved ones slip away. You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. We’ll care for him right until the end. I’ll stay here with him. He won’t be alone.”

“But what if I want to be here?”

“Then I can make that happen.” She nods. “You can sleep in here with him.”

“What if I need Danny here with me?”

“We’re not really supposed to let more than one family member stay but”—her voice drops and she smiles as she leans closer—“I won’t tell if you don’t.”

“Thank you.” The first hot tear slides down my face and I turn my head to my shoulder in order to wipe my eyes on my sleeve. I’m not about to let go of either Dad’s hand or Danny’s.

“Baby,” Danny says gently as he rests his chin on my other shoulder. I turn my head to look at him. “If we’re going to stay, why don’t I go home and grab some clean clothes? I’ll call Henrietta and she’ll let Judy know you won’t be in work for a while.” He reaches for my face and wipes away another tear with his thumb.

“Okay,” I manage.

“Will you be okay on your own for a bit? I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“I’ll stay with him,” Lois says, “but I’ll walk you out first.”

Danny lets go of my hand and stands slowly. “Be back soon.” He kisses my hair and I nod mutely.

When I hear the door click again, my gaze draws back to Dad and I watch the shallow rise and fall of his chest.

Lois closes the door behind us and pauses, looking up at me sadly. “He’s going to need you, Danny.”

“How long does Martin have, honestly?” I ask.

“There’s no way to pinpoint it, but reading the signs… and from my experience?” She sighs. “Twenty-four hours, forty-eight if you’re lucky. But soon, so don’t be too long, okay?”

I nod, and a heaviness settles in my chest as I head back through the familiar corridors to the main entrance and into the car park.

The whole drive back to Whitechapel is a blur. My mind is on autopilot, which is just as well. I don’t think I can even attempt to get my head around everything that happened in the bookshop. But I know if they can stop bickering long enough, Sam and Harrison can deal with it. Right now, my only concern is Tristan. I wish I could protect him from the pain that’s coming, but there’s nothing I can do.

I feel so powerless.

Parking the car in my usual spot, I hurry into the building and up to our floor. I don’t want to be away from Tris for too long, just in case.

When I open the door to the flat, I hear a voice call out.

“Danny?” Chan appears in the doorway from the living room.

I manage a small smile. “Have you moved in?”

“There’s not enough room here for all my clothes,” he replies, but his eyes lack their usual twinkling amusement.

“What are you doing here?”

“Prickles called me,” he replies softly. “Is Martin...?”

I shake my head and swallow tightly. “He’s holding on. Tris is with him at the moment. But his carer, Lois, thinks a day, two at the most.”

“Oh, Danny,” Chan says sadly.