Barbara Erskine 3-Book Collection: Lady of Hay, Time’s Legacy, Sands of Time. Barbara Erskine

nodded grimly. ‘I shall be there.’

      ‘Then I suggest the best thing is for you to take her back and put her to bed. All she needs is a good night’s sleep. I’ll prescribe something.’ He reached into his desk for his prescription pad. ‘You mentioned that she nearly died under hypnosis before. Do you know the circumstances? You must believe me, she did not tell me, and neither did your brother.’

      ‘She doesn’t know.’ Nick glanced at Jo. He lowered his voice still further. ‘I think you should speak to Sam. He was there.’

      ‘Dr Franklyn did try and contact me.’ Bennet frowned. ‘But Joanna said I was not to confer with him. I must confess I did intend to speak to him. I suspected something must have occurred before, in spite of her protestations, but nothing like this!’ He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Nothing.’

      Nick scowled. ‘It is obviously time you and Sam got together, whatever Jo says. I’ll tell him to get in touch with you again. Meanwhile, can you be sure she is all right?’

      Bennet glanced at Jo. ‘I’ll give you my home number. If anything happens over the weekend to worry you, ring me.’ He frowned. ‘On Monday I fly to Chicago for ten days. It can’t be avoided – but, I can give you the name of a colleague –’

      ‘Don’t bother.’ Nick stood up. ‘She won’t need to see anyone else. I shall take care of her.’

      It was another hour before Jo was well enough to stand. Helped by Sarah, Nick half carried her out to the waiting taxi and thankfully climbed in beside her and sat back, putting his arm round her shoulders.

      ‘Feeling OK now?’

      She drew away slightly. ‘I’m fine. I’m sorry. I made a fool of myself in there.’

      ‘It was hardly your fault.’ He stared out of the window. ‘I’ve asked the driver to stop off at a late-opening chemist.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘Bennet’s prescribed something to help you sleep tonight.’ He felt in his pocket for the prescription.

      Jo snatched it out of his hand. ‘You know what I think of sleeping pills, Nick. Tell the driver to go straight to Cornwall Gardens.’ She tore the paper into tiny pieces. ‘You can drop me off and then go on back to Judy.’

      ‘Jo.’ Nick’s voice was threatening.

      ‘Well.’ She stared at him defiantly. ‘That is where you were, presumably. She is the only person who knew what I was doing this afternoon. I don’t know why I told her really.’ She closed her eyes wearily, letting the scraps of the prescription flutter unnoticed onto the floor of the cab.

      ‘You told her because you wanted me with you,’ Nick said gently.

      ‘Perhaps. Please, Nick, tell him not to go to the chemist.’

      Having redirected the driver, Nick turned back to Jo. Her eyes were closed.

      ‘Do you want a hand inside, guv?’ The driver climbed out after they reached the flat and came round to open the door.

      Nick was holding Jo’s arm and in spite of herself she knew she was still shaking too much to walk upstairs alone. She shook her head firmly, however. ‘We can manage, thank you.’

      ‘Been ill, have you, love?’ Ignoring her protest the driver caught her other elbow firmly, helping her onto the pavement.

      Jo smiled wanly. ‘Nothing too bad. I’ve just had a baby.’

      He looked down at her slim figure. ‘I see.’ He released her and went to close the door of his cab. ‘That’s the reason for all the bleedin’ confetti, I suppose!’ He jerked his head towards the paper on the floor, then with a grin he headed towards the driver’s seat once more.

      Jo managed a faint laugh. ‘He didn’t believe me,’ she said as the cab turned out of sight.

      ‘No, I don’t think he did.’ Nick took the key out of her hand and opened the front door. Then unceremoniously he picked her up and carried her up the stairs.

      He set her down gently on the sofa. ‘Shall I call Sam, Jo? He ought to come and look at you.’

      ‘No!’ Jo sat up and swung her feet to the floor. ‘I’ll be fine, Nick. I’m going to have a bath, then I’ll go to bed. There’s no need for you to stay. Really.’ She glanced at him. At Bennet’s and in the taxi she had been glad he was there, been reassured by his touch, but something had happened as he bent and picked her up. She had been consumed with panic. It had obliterated every other feeling in her for a moment, even making her forget the baby. She had felt herself go rigid in his arms, her breath caught in a spasm of fear. Then, as swiftly as it had come the feeling had disappeared, leaving her shaking like a leaf. She swallowed hard, clenching her fists. ‘Please, Nick. Can’t you see I want to be alone?’

      Nick frowned. He was torn between concern and the usual irritation her stubbornness roused in him.

      ‘At least let me wait until you’re in bed,’ he said at last. ‘I shan’t come near you, if that’s what’s worrying you. But I ought to stay a while. Supposing you fainted in the bath or something?’

      Jo hesitated. She had been on the point of protesting that she had never fainted in her life.

      ‘OK,’ she said at last unwillingly. ‘Thank you. Perhaps you can make some tea or something. I won’t be long.’

      ‘At least let me stay next door on the sofa.’ He tried one more time when she was at last in bed and a hot whisky and lemon stood on the table beside her.

      ‘No, Nick. Thanks, but no.’ She took his hand. ‘You’ve been marvellous, but I need to be alone. I’d rather you went. I shall be OK.’

      ‘You won’t play the tape of what happened or anything stupid to upset you?’

      ‘No. I’m going to sleep.’ Her patience was wearing very thin.

      Nick looked at her for a moment, then he shrugged. ‘Right. Have it your own way. I’ll be at my flat. Promise me you’ll ring if you need me.’

      ‘Not going back to Judy?’ She couldn’t resist a final dig.

      ‘No.’ He scowled. ‘You haven’t promised.’

      ‘I promise. Now go.’

      She sat unmoving until she finally heard the door bang behind him. Then at last she lay back on the pillows and allowed the tears to fall. How could she tell him how much she wanted him to stay? Or how much she was suddenly afraid of him?

      She fell asleep at last with the bedside lamp on, unable to bring herself to face total darkness. Outside her window the night was hot and stuffy. Slowly the pubs in Gloucester Road emptied and the sound of talk and laughter echoed up from the mews as people strolled home, enjoying the heady magic of a London night. Restlessly she turned on her pillow, trying to find a cool spot for her head, half hearing the noise as she drifted further into sleep. Outside the street quietened. A stray breeze, carrying the scent of heliotrope from amongst the pleached limes of the sunken garden beside Kensington Palace, stirred the curtains, and somewhere a cat yowled, knocking over an empty milk bottle which rolled down a flight of steps into the gutter.

      Jo did not move. She was lying on her side, her hair loose across her face, her arms round the pillow.

      It was just beginning to grow light when she woke suddenly. For a moment she did not know what had awakened her, as she stared around the shadowy room. The lamp was still on by her bed, but outside, between the curtains, she could see the pale light of dawn above the rooftops. Then she heard it again. The hungry cry of her baby. Sitting up, yawning, she flung back her hair and reached slowly towards the cradle on the far side of the bed.

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