Page 110 of The Summer Escape

“No. Mummy’s not very well and you need to rest today.” She blinked her eyes open to see Trystan creeping into the room.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Pretty awful.”

He set a glass of water on the bedside table, then lifted Ellie from the bed. “Let’s leave Mummy in peace.”

“Thanks,” Beth murmured, then drifted straight back to sleep.

The next time she woke it was the middle of the afternoon and her phone was buzzing around the bedside table. Dee’s voice was too loud in her ear when she answered.

“How did it go?” she asked in a rush. “I assume Trystan was happy to see you. Why haven’t you replied to my messages?”

“I’ve been in bed,” Beth mumbled.

There was a short pause. “You took Ellie with you, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Beth managed a small smile. “I’ve been in bed because Ellie and I both came down with the vomiting bug.”

“Oh, no. At Trystan’s place?”

“Yep. Well, it started on the train.” She explained everything, including Trystan and Jenny picking them up from the station and how sweet they’d both been about the whole thing.

“So, he was happy to see you?” Dee asked.

“Yes, I think so … he’s been really lovely about the situation, but we haven’t had a chance to talk.” Her mind whirred to their brief conversation the previous evening. “He did say that he’d been freaked out by Ellie’s questions last weekend, but he didn’t seem bothered now. Although, it’s Trystan – he’d be nice no matter what.”

“At least you don’t have to worry about his ex. If there was anything going on with them he’d never have brought her to pick you guys up.”

“I suppose so. I can’t think straight now. My head is pounding.”

“I’ll leave you to sleep. When are you coming home?”

Beth groaned as she realised it was Sunday and Ellie needed to be at school the next day. “I can’t get the train back today. Ellie will have to miss school tomorrow.”

“They’d probably advise you to keep her at home anyway. This virus is spreading like crazy.”

“I need to sleep. I’ll talk to you later.”

She’d just set the phone aside when the door slowly opened.

“How are you feeling now?” Trystan asked.

“Terrible.” She shuffled over when he sat beside her. “My stomach is cramping and my head is killing me.”

“That’s because you’re dehydrated. Drink some water and you’ll feel better.”

“Every time I tried to drink I threw up again, so I gave up.”

“You really need to drink.”

“I know. I just don’t want to puke again.”

“You won’t.” He took her hand and pulled her to sit up, then handed her the water.

“Do you promise?”

He quirked an eyebrow, looking thoughtful for a moment. “Sure. Why not.”