Chapter Twenty-three

A midnight drama leads to understanding and enlightenment for Daniel and Jen

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The gala ball had brought the month-long fund-raiser to a successful close. All that remained for d.b.cooper to do was write his final article. But try as he might the words would not materialize. He had, as per his usual modus operandi, recorded his thoughts and observations during the event, but transcribing them into an attention grabbing article was, thus far, beyond his capabilities. All Daniel could think about was Emily.

The events of the evening kept replaying in his mind, on a continuous loop

“What have I done, Damien?” he had asked.

“She doesn't want to see you mate” had been the reply.

“But why” he persisted. ”Because I proposed? Because of Jennifer?”

“You really have no idea, do you?” Damien had gone on to explain. It was all about the interview Daniel had done with Jennifer and the article in the 'Herald'.

“But I changed the names, how did she know?”

“It was obvious, buddy. Besides, you never told her you were writing it, that's why! Don't you think that she had a right to know?”

So it was not what he had done, but what he had not, that had made her turn against him. He loved her; he had proposed to her and she had turned him down. That was understandable; Emily wanted to put her great-aunt's welfare before everything else. Daniel had come to care deeply for his elderly neighbour and her care was almost as important to him as to her niece. But Emily had come to doubt him. His silence had caused her to end their relationship.

It was way past midnight, nearly one o'clock. Daniel was stretched out on the sofa, netbook on his lap, Reggie the cat, a black and white ball of fur on a cushion, twitching as he dreamed cat dreams. The curtains remained open showing the world outside bathed in moonlight. As Daniel glanced up, an ambulance with lights flashing a vivid blue, pulled up across the road. There was an unknown car parked outside Jennifer's bungalow and the lights were still on. Fearing the worst he pulled on a hoodie and tugged on trainers, hurrying out into the night.

“Jennifer?” Daniel quickened his pace as he passed through the already open door, coming to an abrupt hat at the sight of Jennifer lying on the lounge floor. She was obviously in a great deal of pain. “I'm a neighbour. What's happened?” he asked as a paramedic entered with a stretcher.

“They think I've broken my leg.” Jennifer winced as the medics prepared to move her.

“I'm coming with you” Daniel was already on his way out of the bungalow. “Just got to lock my door.”

In the ambulance Jennifer told Daniel what had occurred.

“My back has been painful all day, so I called the out-of-hours doctor. Katie, one of my carers, insisted. She even came back after work to check on me, but she couldn't stay. Had to pick her daughter up from somewhere, and you know how long it takes for these doctors to arrive.”

“Why didn't you call me, or Emily or Dolly” Daniel chided her. “You should have told us not suffered in silence.”

Jennifer took a deep breath from the mouthpiece letting the painkiller take effect before answering him.

“I didn't want to worry anyone. Anyway, I was managing, and I had everything I needed. The phone was in my lap”. Jennifer paused, clearly in a lot of discomfort.

“When the doorbell rang I stood up to let the doctor in and I just went down. My legs buckled under me. The doctor rang the phone and I gave him the code for the key-box.”

“Lucky you kept hold of the phone” Daniel pointed out wryly.

“I'd been holding on to it for so long I doubt I could have let go, even if I tried” Jennifer answered feebly.

It was eerily quiet at Yewell Memorial Hospital in the small hours. Although the ER and admissions were a hive of activity, the corridors were empty; no visitors, no patients attending appointments. Because of her cancer Jennifer was fast tracked through x-ray to confirm the fracture. Her left leg was indeed broken, in two places, but she would have to wait until morning for it to be set.

So Daniel stayed with Jennifer all night long until she was finally settled onto a ward. Jennifer held his strong hand, her own now thin and waif like. It seemed weightless, so smooth and fragile, as if her very essence were seeping slowly away. But there was still something of the former headmistress left in her.

“Do you love Emily?” she asked, her searching eyes boring into his blue ones. Daniel did not hesitate, “with all my heart.”

“Then tell her” Jennifer urged.

“I tried” Daniel confessed. “After the fun run I suggested we get married.”

Jennifer nodded, finally beginning to understand.

“What did she say?”

“Emily said you were her first priority right now and to ask her again sometime.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. I felt numb; I thought it was what we both wanted. I shut the door of my study and worked on the article about you. Emily left.” He hesitated, recalling, scarcely understanding why Emily had stepped away from their relationship. “She sent me an email saying I had betrayed the both of you, that I only got close to her so I could write the article about you.”

“You didn't tell Emily about the article?”

Daniel ran his hands over his tired face; he needed a shave. “I thought you had. Emily never mentioned our interview, which was odd, but I just took it to mean she was okay with it.”

“Suddenly it all makes sense”, Jennifer said almost to herself. “No wonder you two have been so miserable. You belong together! Make it right , Daniel.”

Jennifer released his hand and fumbled to remove a thin gold chain from around her neck. Suspended from it were two rings, one a wedding band, the other set with four rubies.

“My engagement ring” she explained, “it no longer fits.” She laid the rings on his upturned palm, the chain pooled around them. “Look after them for me.”

Jennifer closed her eyes for a moment, pain dominant in her features. “Emily is very emotional right now, but she needs you. She'll realise it soon. Keep the rings safe until the time is right.”

They sat in silence as dawn marked the return of the sun, and Jennifer finally drifted into a deep sleep. Daniel kissed her gently on the cheek and left the ward. He was tired, almost punch-drunk, but one thing was clear. He took a taxi home, hang the expense, all the way to Richmond Street. After a quick shower and a change of clothes he hiked up High Street to the library. He needed to see Emily, to tell her about Jennifer; to offer an olive branch and begin rebuilding the bridge between them.