Free Stay with Me by Jessica Blair Page B

greet her friend who was sitting listlessly near the window. The light falling across her face accentuated her pallid drawn features. ‘I’ve been away a fortnight, and look at you! Hasn’t Alistair been to see you? Hasn’t Mrs Campion called anyone in?’
    Sensing more questions to come, Lena held up her hand to stem them. ‘I’m all right, Olivia.’
    â€˜All right? You don’t look it! You need medical attention and I’ll see you get it. Alistair will get my tongue round him too!’
    â€˜Olivia, please. You know he was called away ten days ago to Staithes. Four fishing vessels were wrecked. Terrible injuries. He’s called on me whenever he’s managed to get to Whitby, but the visits were brief as he was so tired.’
    â€˜Shouldn’t have been too tired to notice you . And what about Mrs Campion? She should have got someone else in to see you if Alistair couldn’t.’
    â€˜Olivia, I forbade her. Please don’t upset her. She has been looking after me very well and I am improving.’
    Olivia’s lips tightened. ‘Very well,’ she replied, ‘but I’ll have Alistair round here as soon as I see him.’
    She was true to her word and two days later he walked in, full of concern. ‘Lena, I’m so sorry. Olivia told me . . . I should have noticed . . .’
    â€˜Alistair, don’t reproach yourself. You were needed at Staithes. It’s been hard on you.’
    â€˜But I should have seen you were not well. Now, let me put things right.’
    â€˜I’m improving, Mrs Campion will tell you that.’
    â€˜That may well be but I’m going to check you.’ When Lena started to protest he held up his hand to stop her and exerted his authority in no uncertain terms. ‘You are not well. You are not the Lena I know, and I insist you tell me everything so I can judge what is best for you. I will not stand for any further protests. You are important to me, Lena.’ He took her hand, and if she was not mistaken it was more than a doctor’s touch when his fingers felt for her pulse.
    When he was finished, Alistair nodded. ‘You are healthy enough but you are run down. I think it is late shock at what happened in Scotland, and the fact that you have missed being among people in the way that you are used to. I will give you something to take and I want you to eat plenty of nourishing food, but most of all I want you to stop worrying about what happened and dismiss any other concerns you may have. Try to occupy your mind with pleasant things. I’ll get Olivia to visit you every day. It was unfortunate that she was away when you were not well. I’ll try and visit you daily myself. Certainly I’ll be here tomorrow.’
    An hour after Alistair had left, James rushed in and was on his knees in front of Lena almost before she’d realised he was there.
    â€˜Lena! Alistair’s just paid me a visit. Why didn’t you tell me? I didn’t notice.’ The concern in his voice was matched by the look in his eyes as he took her hands in his.
    She smiled. ‘You never were observant unless it was of ships, and what was happening on the Whitby quays and in the shipyards, and who was trading what with whom.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’
    â€˜Don’t be. I’m all right. Alistair has given me things to take.’
    â€˜Well, if there is anything else you need, tell me.’
    â€˜I will. And you can sit down now and tell me exactly how the business is progressing and how the John Carnforth is shaping.’ She held up her hands to stem any protest. ‘I promise not to question your decisions or make any suggestions.’
    â€˜There’ll be no need for any when you hear what I have to say.’ James pulled a chair near to her and sat down. By the time he had finished he knew he had done Lena good; there was a new light in her eyes and he realised her heart lay with