Page 66 of Mayfair Madame

I grabbed some clothes and stepped into the bathroom to dress. What on earth was that about?

Her muffled voice filtered through the wall, and I waited until she ended the call, then went back into the bedroom.

“Mum’s had a fall. She’s in the hospital. I have to go.”

“You can’t travel in your state.” She’d barely been able to stand yesterday. How would she manage such a long journey?

“I have to go, Naomi. She might need an operation.”

She ran her fingers through her hair and closed her eyes.

“Hey, it’ll be okay, but if you really need to go, then let me help.” I couldn’t drive her there, but I could make her journey more bearable. “Let me book you a train ticket. First class, so at least you’ll be comfortable. You can’t drive, Ellie, the doctors said no exertion for a while.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“Suck it up, sweetheart. I’m paying.”

If I were expecting an argument or some kind of protest, I got none. She looked dejected and tired. So very tired.

She stood on unsteady legs, and I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her.

“I need clothes.”

“We can stop by your place and get you some stuff. I’ll ask Melinda to book the train for you.”

“I don’t mean to be a bother.”

Didn’t she realise I’d do anything to help her? And didn’t that tell me everything I needed to know about how I felt?

“You’ll never be a bother, Ellie.” I stroked and kissed her cheek.“But don’t overdo it while you’re gone.”

“I promise I won’t.”

“And call me as soon as you get there.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ellie

I’d never travelled first class before, but Naomi had insisted.We’d both agreed I wasn’t fit to drive, that the train would be the better option, but I’d have been happy to travel in any class. Getting home to Mum was my priority.

We rattled through each station until we reached my hometown just north of Birmingham. Not much had changed. The same rundown shops, but with a few fast food additions. Kids hung around outside, vaping, with loud music blasting from mobile phones.

Normally, I’d not be intimidated, but today, still weak from my infection, I put my hood up and scurried past, intent on grabbing the next available taxi.

Mum had mentioned how she hated coming into town. Now I knew why.

“Where to, love?” The driver eyed me through the rearview mirror and waited for my reply.

Should I go to my sister’s first or to the hospital? Unsure if I could face Mum alone, I chose the safer option and gave him my sister’s address.

We rode in silence, the twenty-minute journey giving me time to steel myself against my sister’s wrath. The call had been fraught with tension, and I couldn’t blame her. Having to deal with Mum was no simple task, especially when also looking after her kids and a husband who was barely there.

She’d definitely drawn the short straw where that was concerned,but she’d chosen her path, as had I.

I thought back to our childhood. Lucy was the good one. She never bunked off school, got great grades, whereas I’d done the bare minimum, and skipped school when I could. It was a wonder I’d been accepted into the police force.

“Excuse me. We’re here. That’ll be fifteen pounds.”