Page 160 of The Moon Sister
‘It is.’
‘Have you been yet?’
‘No, I’ve been far too busy. Where are you staying?’
‘At the only hotel here, according to the information lady at the airport: the Cuevas El Albanico. So we took it.’
‘“We”?’
‘Yes,’ he said as we approached the hotel, ‘I didn’t feel it was . . . right for me to come alone, so I brought a chaperone along. Come and see,’ he said as he ushered me through the gates. ‘She may be in bed by now but—’
I’d barely stepped inside as a figure wearing a pair of checked pyjamas ran towards me and threw her arms around me.
‘Tiggy! It’s so wonderful to see you.’
‘And you, Ally,’ I said in wonder, as I pulled out of her embrace and studied her. ‘Wow, you look amazing.’ I took in Ally’s sparkling blue eyes, her thick red-gold hair and the big bump in her belly that was straining the buttons of her pyjamas. ‘Goodness, you’re big! You look as though you’re about to burst. Are you sure you should be flying?’
‘I’m fine. I’ve still got about another month to go, but I was going mad sitting at home in Bergen, so Thom, my twin brother, took pity on me and invited me to tag along with him to a concert he was playing in London. I persuaded my doctor it was a good idea for me to get a change of scenery. Then, when Charlie called me and I heard what had happened to you and that he thought you were here, I changed my ticket and came straight to Granada with him.’
‘Oh God, Ally, really, I’m fine,’ I groaned. ‘You should be tucked up safe in Bergen, not running across Europe after me.’
‘Tiggy, we were all worried about you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’ll leave you to chat,’ Charlie said, reaching for my pulse again, then nodding. ‘It’s calmed down now.’
‘Has Charlie explained to you how serious your condition is?’ Ally asked.
‘I have,’ said Charlie, ‘and even if I have to drag you to that hospital tomorrow, you’re going, okay, Tiggy?’
‘She’ll go,’ Ally answered for me.
‘Any problems during the night, you know where I am.’
‘Yes. Night, Charlie, and thanks,’ Ally called after him as he made his way to his room at the back of the hotel. Neither of us said anything until we heard the door close behind him.
‘Would you prefer to go straight to bed, Tiggy?’
‘No, I’m far too hyped up to sleep and I want to hear all your news. Let’s go and sit in there,’ I said, indicating the small sitting room with its leather sofas.
‘Not for long, or Doctor Charlie won’t be happy,’ Ally whispered as I led the way and she eased herself onto one of them.
‘So, you were explaining how you found me?’
‘Charlie was beside himself when he called me on your mobile. What a lovely guy he is,’ Ally smiled. ‘And obviously very fond of you.’
‘I’m just sorry to put you both to so much trouble.’
‘Honestly, Tiggy, as I said, I was grateful for an excuse not to go back to Bergen. You know me – all action,’ she smiled. ‘Besides, I was really worried about you, we all were. I have to say, you look a lot better than I expected.’
‘I’m feeling better too, really. When I arrived here, my heart was bouncy, but it’s calmed down a lot since.’
‘Good. Charlie also mentioned that your Cal had found some printouts in your drawer about a female flamenco dancer.’ Ally indicated my dress. ‘I’m guessing that’s why you came here? To find your birth family?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay, but what was it that made you get out of your hospital bed and leave without telling anyone where you were going?’
‘I . . . it’s complicated, Ally, but I just needed to get away.’
‘I know that feeling,’ she said. ‘Charlie seemed to think that, quite apart from you getting shot, it was something to do with a white stag and also Zed Eszu.’
