Page 81 of Murder Most Haunted

Now, thought Midge, as she closed the door behind her,that’s very interesting.

Chapter52

‘Would you like one of your pills?’ asked Midge, carefully watching Bridie’s face for a reaction.

She kept her eyes closed. ‘No. Thank you. I’ve had one for today. They’re quite strong.’

‘Are they?’ asked Midge, settling herself in the armchair in their bedroom, where they had been talking. ‘How many did Dr Newman suggest taking?’

There was a pause, while Bridie adjusted her sheet. ‘Oh, one, I think.’

‘Are you sure?’ said Midge. ‘I couldn’t see the usual prescription writing on the bottle.’

‘It’s a new chemist.’

Midge fiddled with her cane, rolling it between her hands. ‘How was chemo this weekend?’

‘Oh, you know, a barrel of laughs as usual. Non-stop chuckles. You missed out, but I’m sure a weekend with your friends was even more fun.’

Her words stung. ‘You were the one who wanted me to come on this weekend.’

She waited until there was the tiniest of sighs from Bridie. ‘What do you want to say, Midge?’

‘Where did you get the pills from?’

‘I told you...’ Bridie opened her eyes.

‘Stop lying.’

Bridie sank back again, before turning her head to the side on the pillow. She reached out for Midge’s hand and took it betweenhers, the veins all bruised from needles and the skin paper-thin. ‘The chemotherapy isn’t working, Midge.’

Midge’s heart stopped for the briefest of seconds.

‘You just haven’t given it long enough,’ she said, softly.

‘You’re not listening.’ Bridie moved her head against the pillow. ‘I could give it a year and it still wouldn’t work. The cancer is too aggressive and the treatment isn’t having an effect.’

‘And this new pill is?’ Midge frowned at her.

Bridie shrugged before squeezing her hand. ‘It helps. After all, what harm can it do now?’

Midge stared at her. ‘You could say the same for the chemo,’ she said, quietly.

Bridie closed her eyes. ‘The chemo makes me feel so sick. It’s too much. You’d know if you ever came with me.’

Midge opened her mouth. This was unfair. Bridie had insisted right from the start that she didn’t want her at the sessions.

‘Do you ever think about the baby?’

The question from Bridie came out of the blue, stilling Midge’s hand. Her breath caught slightly. Why mention it now, for the first time in twenty-five years?

‘Sometimes,’ she replied, ‘not much.’

Liar.

‘You seem different.’ Bridie spoke so quietly that at first Midge wasn’t sure if she had imagined it.

‘Don’t be silly,’ she replied.