Page 49 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

‘As far as I know Mum had some kind of dizzy spell when out swimming this morning. A big wave caught her and she went under. That’s what she said on the way over, anyway.’

‘She was talking?’

Chloe nodded. ‘She was getting pinker and looking better by the minute. I think the medics had given her something in the ambulance. Nik from the surf school saw her getting into trouble and hauled her out. He probably saved her life.’

Hannah leaned forward in her chair and covered her face again. ‘What if it is a heart attack? How’s she going to cope? She’ll need looking after and I haven’t got the time. And there’s the kids. She always has them every Thursday and Friday after school. Gives me a break.’

For a second Chloe was speechless at her sister’s selfishness and was about to launch into a rant, pointing it out, when a woman in pale blue scrubs called her name.

‘Chloe Pengelly? Ah, there you are. Would you like to see your mum now? We’ve got her in a cubicle and just waiting on a bed for her. Come this way.’

Hannah leaped up, pushed her way in front of Chloe and began demanding answers from the nurse.

CHAPTER 25

The next few hours were a blur. Tyler returned, Dulcie was eventually found a bed, and they all spent some time with her on the ward. Chloe knew her mother was feeling a little better when, having poked around in the holdall Tyler had brought, began complaining about what was inside it.

‘At least he tracked down your phone,’ Chloe pointed out.

‘Yes, but there’s no charger,’ Dulcie said peevishly.

‘We can bring one tomorrow. The doc said they were keeping you in for a couple of days.’ Chloe patted her mother’s hand. ‘Good news it was angina and not a heart attack but they want to keep you in for obs until the drugs kick in.’

‘Oh, Mum,’ Hannah butted in from the other side of the bed. ‘I was so worried about you. I don’t understand why it wasn’t me they rang.’

‘Think they tried you, Hannah,’ Chloe said, ‘but your phone was switched off. Pinky was about to ring again and then I arrived.’

‘How did you know it was Mum in trouble?’ Hannah asked curiously, as if the thought had only just occurred.

‘I was in the bakery when I saw the ambulance whizz past.’ Chloe shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Instinct, I suppose.’

Dulcie gripped her hand. ‘Thank goodness I had some kind people round me when I needed them.’

‘Nik most of all. He got you out.’ Chloe addressed Tyler. ‘Did you see him? Had he got Mum’s phone?’

Tyler shook his head, ashen with fatigue. ‘Pinky had it. Sorry. Didn’t think about the charger. I can go back and get it if you like, Dulcie?’

‘No you won’t. Look at the pair of you. Exhausted. Get off home. I’m fine now I’m in a bed and on this ward. Got my phone. Got my earbuds. Got my Bowie to listen to.’ Dulcie gazed about her, like a queen sitting in state. ‘Looking forward to having a few days in bed and getting to know my fellow inmates.’

Chloe groaned inwardly, praying the nurses would cope.

‘If you’re sure you don’t need us anymore, Mum,’ Hannah said. ‘I could do with getting home. Had an early start.’ She glanced at Tyler. ‘And it will be good to have some kid-free time.’

Dulcie made a weak shooing motion. ‘Go. Go. Get yourselves out of here. You’ve hung around long enough. You’ve got things to do.’ She sank against the pillows, closing her eyes.

After kissing her goodbye, they left.

And I haven’t things to do, Mum? Chloe collapsed onto a chair. Now Dulcie was in hospital and the diagnosis wasn’t as grave as feared, the adrenaline drained away, leaving her weak and numb. It was a shock to see her mother pale-faced in the hospital-issue pyjamas. She seemed so much smaller. Vulnerable. And Chloe had never thought of her loud, colourful, eccentric mother as vulnerable. ‘Is all this’ – she flapped her hands uselessly – ‘something to do with that hospital appointment you had a few days ago?’

Her mother kept her eyes resolutely shut.

‘Mum? Answer me!’

Dulcie sniffed and opened her eyes to meet Chloe’s gaze. ‘Reckon.’

‘What does that mean?’ Chloe asked, frustrated.

Her mother pulled a face. ‘Docs told me if I didn’t do something about my lifestyle I was heading for trouble.’