Page 64 of Rejection and Redeemed

She smiled gently at him. “No thanks needed. I’m glad I could help.”

“I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”

Christine gave a sad smile. “None of that was your fault, but now, we’re both out of horrible situations and somewhere safe with people who care about us.”

“You are indeed,” Clairmont confirmed, walking back to the bed.

“Thanks for your help, Clairmont, but you need sleep,” Jacob told him.

“I’ll stay until Francis comes back,” the butler said, sitting down on the chair. “Would you like a radio or television in here to try and distract you?”

“I wouldn’t say no to a radio,” Jacob admitted.

“I shall find you one in the morning,” he promised.

“We could just set my laptop up, I can get the radio through there,” Jacob said, weakly.

“I know it won’t be for long, but see if you can rest, Jacob,” Christine suggested gently.

Jacob sighed. “I’ll try.” He shifted gently and grimaced, but then settled more comfortably and closed his eyes.

“If you want to go to bed now, you can, you know,” Christine said softly to the butler.

“Thank you, but I can wait until Francis returns.”

“I know Jacob keeps being sick to get rid of the silver, but should he look this pale?” Christine softly asked in concern, holding his hand.

“I’m not sure. We can ask Francis when he gets back.”

Fran finished his dinner,cleared up his things and walked quickly back to Jacob.

He entered Jacob’s temporary room to see Clairmont carrying a bucket into the bathroom and to hear Jacob using the other. He hurried to the side of the bed and saw Christine again gently rubbing his back.

When Jacob was finished, he leant back against his pillows and gave a small smile. “Did you eat?”

Fran nodded. “I did, and I had coffee.”

Jacob sighed. “I’d kill for a coffee. A massive coffee would go down a treat.”

“And then come straight back up, thereby wasting perfectly good coffee,” Clairmont pointed out, walking back to the bed.

“Yeah, but I can dream,” Jacob replied.

As they were talking, Fran looked Jacob over. He was looking pale, too pale. “Clairmont, tomorrow would it be possible for someone to go and buy some water with electrolytes in it? It will help Jacob.”

“I will send someone out first thing, Francis.”

“Thanks.”

“If you want, I can pop out now and get some. Aubrey showed me where the supermarket was and it’s open twenty-four hours,” Christine offered.

“It’s the middle of the night. I know this is a safe place, but I’d rather you not go alone,” Fran replied.

“Then I shall accompany Christine,” Clairmont said.

“Thanks, my wallet’s in my room, help yourself to my bank card.”

“I will be using the house card, Francis,” the butler told him sternly.