Page 27 of Seven Letters

‘A bit, yes, but I’ll be fine in a minute.’

Izzy pottered downstairs to talk to her father while Sarah tried to fight the urge to crawl back into bed. She didn’t want to call Mia, but she really didn’t think she could drive. This headache was so bad that her eyesight was blurring. She’d have to ask her sister to take Izzy to school. But the last thing she wanted was Mia fussing over her. She just wanted to go to bed and sleep it off.

Adam was chatting to Izzy when Sarah came into the kitchen. He turned to look at her. ‘Izzy said you’ve got another headache. You’re very pale. I think you should go back and see Ingrid Johnston.’

Sarah waved her hand. ‘I’m fine. It’s a bit better already,’ she lied. ‘I think the bedroom was too stuffy last night.’

‘Are you sure?’ Adam asked.

‘Yes.’ She forced herself to smile, even though it hurt to move her facial muscles.

‘Well, if you feel worse later, please go and see her. I’m paying her a bloody fortune to look after you and the baby, so don’t be shy about booking in.’

Sarah nodded. Ouch, that hurt too.

Adam kissed Izzy, then bent to kiss his wife. ‘Seriously, you don’t look great, call her. You need to mind yourself and my son. I’ve gotta fly. I’ve a meeting at nine. I’ll be late again tonight so don’t cook me dinner.’

‘Adam!’

He put his hand up. ‘I know. I’ll try to be home for dinner tomorrow, but it’s a crazy week.’

‘It’s always crazy,’ Sarah said.

‘Will you not tuck me in again tonight, Daddy?’ Izzy grumbled.

‘Sorry, Sweet-pea, but I have to work so I can earn money to pay for our house and all the things in it.’

‘I wish you didn’t have to work so hard. Riley sees Johnny all the time.’

‘Yes, well, that’s a whole other story,’ Adam muttered.

‘Let’s not go there,’ Sarah said. ‘I guess I’ll see you when I see you.’

Adam kissed her. ‘Don’t be annoyed with me. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll book Franco’s for dinner on Saturday night.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Damn it, I’m late. See you, guys.’

When the front door closed, Sarah sank onto a high stool at the kitchen counter. This headache was flooring her. She’d have to go to the doctor and get something for it. She couldbarely stand up. ‘Izzy, can you help me make your lunch today?’ she said.

‘What shall I do?’

‘Get me two slices of bread and some ham and cheese from the fridge …’ Sarah instructed her seven-year-old on what to do because she was afraid if she stood up, she’d faint. She decided that, once Izzy had left for school, she’d call Ingrid to make an appointment. This headache was in a different league from any of the others.

While Izzy got her lunch ready, Sarah texted Mia to ask her to pick up Izzy.

No prob. U OK?

Mia always texted her straight back. It drove her nuts when Sarah didn’t do the same. But Sarah hated her phone beeping and pinging. Half the time she didn’t even know where it was. Now she typed a lie:All good. Just ate something that didn’t agree with me.

Izzy wrapped her sandwich in a large piece of tinfoil, then put her apple and crackers into her lunchbox. ‘I made my own lunch!’ she said, delighted.

‘Well done you.’

‘When the baby comes, I can help you loads,’ she said.

‘That would be amazing, Izzy.’ Sarah reached out to hug her. ‘You’re such a star.’

‘I don’t mind so much about the baby, now I know it’s a boy. When I thought it was going to be a girl, I was worried you’d love her more than me. But you can’t do girly stuff with a boy, so I know you and me can still do our own thing. Daddy and the baby can do stuff together, can’t they?’

‘You never needed to worry even if it was a girl. You know how much I love you, don’t you?’

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