Page 104 of Glasshouses

I managed to smile at Taz, before bursting into another fit of coughing. He stood up and guided me to the bed, sitting next to me, an arm around my shoulders while the coughing turned to tears that I wiped away before he could not pretend to notice.

“A few too many.” I accepted the bottle of Vimto he gave me, a northern staple. “How did you find out?”

“The news, then a phone call. You can shower in your bathroom tomorrow.” He pulled out his phone, opening up his photo album and showing me a gloriously tiled and decorated bathroom.

“It looks amazing. I’ll use more adjectives tomorrow.”

“I expect at least twenty. I’ve brought you a change of clothes so yes, I have been in your underwear drawer. I washed my hands first.” He passed me the bag.

“Thank you. I don’t have the energy to make some witty comeback.” I looked through the bag; the pyjamas that had been on my bed, some underwear out of the clean laundry I hadn’t put away yet, a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. There was also a toothbrush and whatever he could’ve found from the pile outside the bathroom of face products.

“Your comebacks aren’t usually that witty.”

“Hilarious. What are you up to tonight?” I needed to talk about something other than Lily and the case.

“Putting up panelling on the walls of your hall, stairs and landing, so you being here’s handy.”

“Why are you being so helpful? I don’t know even know you.”

“Paying it forward.” He didn’t miss a beat. “But I won’t be round as much next week.”

“New job.”

“Yep.”

“You’re still not telling me what it is?”

“Nope.”

“I’ll find out.”

“I know you will. Lukasz will be sorting out some of the plastering on the top floor and his mate Ken’s going to check your electrics in a couple of places, but, on the whole, the wiring’s okay. If you want any more sockets put in, you need to let me know by Saturday night.” He stood up, the bed shifting without his weight. “Don’t try to discharge yourself tonight. I’m going to bolt the door.”

“You’re staying at mine?”

“We’re getting the panelling done. It’ll be gone midnight by the time that happens.” He headed to the doorway. “Try to sleep.”

“I will.” I didn’t think much would stop me.

Strangely, I didn’t dream. I’d expected remnants of the day to reappear in my subconscious, especially as I wasn’t in my own bed, but they stayed away and I didn’t wake until a nurse came in at seven, needing to check my stats proved I was alive.

I took another shower, grateful for the toiletries and clothes that Taz had dropped off, trying not to cry at his gesture. I had no idea what his game was, but he was welcome to carry on with it, at the moment anyway.

I’d found out from the nurse that Lily was in a room at the end of the ward so once I smelled and looked more like the me that I recognised, I headed down there.

A uniform was outside her door, one who recognised me and let me through whether I should’ve been allowed in or not.

Lily was sitting on the hospital bed, knees pulled up to her chest, looking cleaner and relaxed, although she was still hooked up to the monitors.

“Mia,” she said as she saw me. “The nurse said you were on the same ward. I was hoping you’d visit.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired. But okay. I’m going back to where Doctor McKay can keep an eye on me. She came to see me before.”

There was no sign of any heightened behaviour or overt stress. I wondered how much she’d remember.

“How did Stefan find you?” I sat down on the grey chair next to her bed. “How did he know to look for you?”