Free The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester Page B

care.
    Angel’s stomach churned. “What is it, Maman?”
    Simone plucked at the sheet. “I heard them talking. They are sending me to a rehabilitation home, but I know our medical insurance won’t cover it.” She clutched Angel’s hand. “We can’t afford it, chérie . Your father…Most of our money—”
    “Went to his care,” cut in Angel softly. “I know, Maman, but it’ll be okay. If the insurance company won’t help, I can ask Philip.”
    “No!”
    The tortured cry made Angel flinch.
    “Promise me, you will not accept charity from Philip,” whispered Simone. She moved restlessly in the bed. “I have never—I will never take charity from him and you must not either!”
    “No, I won’t—of course not.” Angel managed a tiny smile. “Don’t worry. First thing tomorrow I’ll talk to the insurance people. It’ll be okay—I promise. Just focus on getting well. Please, Maman.”
    Simone seemed suddenly aware of the worry in Angel’s face. She stroked her cheek and said softly, “I am being foolish, chérie . Do not listen to my crazy talk, it is only the drugs for the pain that make me speak so. Certainement , all will be well.”
    The nurse came in. “The doctor’s here. He wants to talk to you.” Angel followed her into the hall.
    Outside, the doctor was talking to a smartly dressed woman. Angel blinked. It was Margot.
    The doctor turned. “Here she is,” he said heartily, “the lucky young lady whose mother got to the hospital in the nick of time.” Noticing Angel’s pale face, he added, “But all’s well. Your mother has acute pancreatitis and biliary colic. She had several large gall stones so I’ve had to remove her gall bladder. We are treating her pancreatitis,” he patted Angel’s shoulder in a fatherly fashion, “and I’m confident that with the right care your mother will make a full recovery.”
    He gestured to Margot. “I’ve been chatting with Ms. Kane and we have a plan.”
    Angel stared. Margot was smiling at her. Not a nasty, malicious smirk, but a gracious, caring smile.
    Margot stepped forward. “My dear,” she said gently, “your mother has had a serious operation and what she needs now is rest and the finest care.” She took Angel’s hand. “Doctor Somers and I agree that a rehabilitation home in Florida would be ideal.”
    “Florida!” exclaimed Angel. “No, I—”
    “Sunnydale is one of the finest facilities in the country,” said Dr. Somers. “With an outstanding patient recovery record.”
    “Good food, rest and sunshine are what your mother needs now,” added Margot.
    Dr. Somers nodded. “Ms. Kane has generously agreed to fly your mother down on Saturday with a private nurse and pay all the expenses.” He patted Angel’s hand. “Your mother’s very lucky to have such a kind and generous employer.” He looked at Margot. “You’ll leave it to me to make all the arrangements?”
    “Certainly, Dr. Somers, and you’ll send me the bill?”
    He nodded and she smiled graciously. “Then I’ll take this young lady home now, it’s been a long day.”
    As shaken as she was by Margot’s change of personality, Angel could not agree to this. “I’m not tired and Maman—”
    “Needs to sleep,” said the doctor. “You can come back on Saturday to say goodbye. Tell your mother that Ms. Kane is looking after you and the bills and she’ll have nothing to worry about.”
    He smiled at them as Margot put her arm around Angel’s shoulders, her face a picture of tender concern as she walked her down the corridor.
    Angel was trying to think of how to express her gratitude when they reached the exit door. As they passed through, Margot whipped her arm from Angel’s shoulders.
    “Right,” she snapped. “Follow me.”
    Minutes later Angel found herself in the back of the Rolls. The kindly Margot of the hospital corridor had vanished and the woman Lily insisted was the real Margot sat beside her, calmly lighting a cigarette.
    “Clarissa tells