Page 66 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Don’t worry, everything is fine.’ I hear Benji’s footsteps on the stairs and Tom stands aside to let him through. ‘Dorothy had a headache so she called me and asked if I’d take over. I’ve been writing all night. I haven’t heard a peep from Charlie. Are you all right?’ he asks, looking at me. ‘You don’t look too good.’
‘I’m just fine,’ I say, trying to stand up proudly, but failing miserably when I begin swaying immediately.
‘Amelia has had avery goodnight,’ Tom says, winking at Benji. ‘But she needs to get to bed and sleep it off.’
Benji nods with immediate understanding. ‘That sounds like a good plan. Shall we help you to your bed?’
‘I am quite capable, thank you,’ I reply stoutly, but again, to my annoyance, my legs fail me. ‘Perhaps one of youcouldescort me?’
‘Probably best if you take her, Benj,’ Tom says, winking at Benji.
‘Why do you two keep winking at each other?’ I ask as Benji comes over and takes my arm. ‘It’s most disconcerting.’
‘Goodnight, Amelia,’ Tom whispers, ignoring my question. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.’
*
I have an erratic night’s sleep.
The first time I awake, I can’t have been asleep that long because I can hear Benji and Tom talking upstairs as I make my way across the tiny hexagonal hallway towards the bathroom.
As I sit on the toilet rocking to and fro deciding whether I’m going to throw up or something else, I can hear them discussing who will stay with me tonight.
‘Look, I know you like to be the hero,’ Benji says to Tom, ‘but I’m perfectly capable of looking after her.’
‘Yeah, I know,’ Tom says, ‘but I feel partially responsible for letting her get in the state she’s in. I think I should stay.’
‘Tom,’ Benji says now, ‘I can assure you that when Amelia wakes up the last person in the world she’s going to want to see is you – she’ll feel and look as rough as a badger’s arse; she really won’t want to be worrying how her hair is or whether she’s got any make-up on – you must know she’s keen on you?’
There’s silence, which I can only assume is Tom nodding, because Benji then says, ‘Good, now let me do the babysitting for both of them. You know Amelia will be safe with me – you’ve no worries on that score. You can come and check on her when she’s all lady of the manor again, okay?’
‘Sure, thanks, Benj – I owe you.’
‘Nonsense, we both know that is not true.’
The next time I awake, the tower is in silence. Tom must have left, and Benji presumably has bedded down on my sofa.
I have some random thoughts about whether he’s found spare blankets and a pillow, before I feel myself drifting off to sleep again.
The third time I awake, I wonder for a few moments whether it’s time to get up yet – but then I realise the little bit of light that’s filtering through my curtains is only dawn breaking, so I turn over in my bed. Oh Lord, my head is already starting to pound.
I reach for the water that I vaguely remember Benji leaving on my bedside table last night. Then I try to take a sip without sitting up fully, but that doesn’t work, so I have no choice but to sit up.
But as I take my first thirst-quenching sip, I very nearly drop the glass – because suddenly I’m aware of someone standing at the end of my bed.
I blink a couple of times, wondering if I’m still asleep – but the figure doesn’t move. She just stares at me.
‘Who are you?’ I ask, my brain not really computing the absurdity that someone should be in my room in the early hours of the morning.
But the young girl is silent.
‘Are you lost?’ I ask calmly, noting as I stare back at her that the girl is wearing a long white smock over her shabby-looking dress, and heavy leather lace-up boots.
The girl shakes her head.
‘Are you Ruby?’ I suddenly ask, not really knowing where that question has come from. My brain still feels drenched with alcohol, and my head is pounding with dehydration.
To my surprise, she nods. Then she smiles at me and waves her hand before disappearing in front of my eyes.
