Page 17 of Degradation
There’s a pause. ‘Oh, um, yes. She was, of course. If you’d like to speak to someone about her returning, I’ll transfer you directly to Doctor Stoke, Mister Novelle.’
Returning?
She thinks I’m my father, I realize.
‘No, thanks, Amy,’ I reply easily, though my stomach is in my throat. ‘It’s just a general question. I wondered if Marguerite’s possessions would be sent soon.’
There’s another pause and the line crackles some more. ‘Do you mean the things she came with? I can check, sir, but I think there’s just one small box in storage with the clothes she arrived in. I can send it right away, of course.’
‘That would be great,’ I say with a frown. ‘But I also mean from her room. Clothes, shoes, keepsakes. That kind of thing.’
There’s silence for a beat too long. ‘I’m so sorry, Mister Novelle, but I’m not quite sure what you mean.’ The woman on the other end huffs out a breath. ‘This is a medical facility. Our residents don’t really havethose kinds of things.’
‘I see,’ I murmur, a little confused. ‘Of course. Not a problem. Please do send that box. I’ll email you the address now.’
‘Of course. I’ll have it posted today, sir. Is there anything else I can help with?’
‘No, thank you. You’ve been very helpful. Enjoy the rest of your day.’
‘Um…you too, Mister Novelle,’ she says, and I’m pretty sure I hear her mutter, ‘Have a nice day!Bloody Americans,’ before she hangs up the phone.
I stare down at my phone for a second. ‘They don’t have anything, they said.’
‘So, where’s all her stuff?’
‘Maybe she doesn’t have any.’
Blake snorts. ‘So, she turned up here with everything she has to her name in that little duffle bag? No way. She was in a private spa type of place, you said. Your dad must have been sending money for her. Maybe they wore fluffy bathrobes, slippers, and yoga pants all day, or something.’
Mav is in mid-shrug when Daisy’s door opens, and we fall silent again. Lu steps out, looking grim.
‘She’s exhausted. If you still wanna look at her ankle and stuff, you might want to do it soon. She’s struggling to stay awake.’
Mav grabs the first aid bag Blake keeps under his bed. ‘I’ll go in now. How is she besides tired?’
Lu shrugs. ‘She isn’t talking. She’s just... I don’t know. She’s going through the motions, but it’s like she’s not home right now.’
I nod, knowing exactly what she means. ‘She needs rest. She’ll be okay.’
‘No thanks to you,’ she sneers. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow. Tell your asshole members to let me in so I’m not standing out in the rain, would you, Novelle?’
I wince at the censure I deserve, and she turns to go.
‘Wait.’
She swings back giving me a look that tells me exactly what she thinks, that I’m shit on her shoe. This girl does not like me, and for good reason.
‘Look, for what it’s worth, I’m glad Daisy has you in her corner. She doesn’t make friends easily, so it’s a big deal. Thank you.’
‘You don’t need to thank me. Daisy is awesome. I’m not her friend because she’s a Novelle.’
‘I get it.’ I step closer and lower my voice. ‘I need to ask you something.’
‘What is it?’
‘You met Daisy when she first got here, right?’
‘I don’t know. It was the day of the rally by the science building. She said she’d only just moved here.’
