Page 109 of The Guilty Girl

‘Girls! When did you regress to your childhood? Granny Rose is sick and you’re shouting like a pair of fishwives. Act your age. You’re supposed to be looking after her. Is she up yet?’

‘Not a peep out of her,’ Katie said sulkily.

‘Did you even check if she wanted a cup of tea and a slice of toast?’

‘Thought it best to let her rest.’ Katie balled up the cloth and threw it into the sink.

‘Hey!’ Chloe yelled. ‘I spent an hour yesterday cleaning that mangy sink!’

Katie ignored her. ‘I’m going upstairs for Louis. He’s probably cracking Sean up.’

‘Tell your brother I want to talk to him.’

‘If he’s still alive after an hour of Louis pestering him to play Mario on his Nintendo.’

At least she didn’t bang the door as she left.

Lottie sighed, and a headache flared behind her eyes. ‘Can’t you be civil to each other for a few hours?’

‘She’s a pain in the arse.’ Chloe kept her back to her mother and scrubbed the sink vigorously.

‘I could do without this drama.’

‘Go back to work then,’ Chloe snapped, ‘where no one fights.’

‘I wish.’

She was saved from being subjected to further snipes from her tetchy daughter when Sean walked in. His blonde hair stood on end and he was wearing a creased T-shirt and boxers slung low on his hips. He appeared to have had little sleep. Or maybe it was the Louis effect. Her grandson was full of energy.

‘Get dressed, Sean. I want you to come to the station with me.’

‘Oh oh,’ Chloe sang. ‘Was the good little son a bold boy? Is Mama Bear going to lock you up?’

‘Shut up, Chloe,’ Sean said. ‘Have I time for a quick shower, Mam?’

‘Not really. Won’t take long. I’ll get someone to drop you straight home.’

She followed him up the stairs and heard Katie in her room placating an upset Louis. Glancing into her own bedroom, she found Rose fast asleep. She placed her hand on her mother’s forehead. Clammy.

She debated her options. Rose needed to be seen by a doctor. How was she going to manage it? Why did life insist on throwing her curveballs when she was up to her eyes with work?

Downstairs, she approached Chloe. ‘I need you to phone the doctor for Granny. She’s spiking a temperature.’

‘I didn’t realise she was that sick. But there’s not much point calling the doctor. It’s Sunday.’

‘Try MIDOC.’ The out-of-hours service was based at the hospital.

‘Might it be better to bring her to A&E? I can call an ambulance.’

And suffer the wrath of an indignant Rose? No way. ‘No. Phone MIDOC. See what they say and let me know.’

‘Okay. Should I bring her up a bowl of soup?’

‘Not if it’s the vegetable concoction Katie made last night.’

‘I wouldn’t give that to a cat. Don’t worry, I’ll make it fresh. Granny swears by chicken soup.’

‘You’re an angel, Chloe. If she’s still asleep, leave her be, but keep an eye on her.’