Chapter Twenty Four

Aunt Jen's accident causes Emily to fear that she is losing everyone who is dear to her

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

It was an extremely busy day at Yewell Library. The advent of a new season brought the return of all the clubs which made use of the Town Hall's facilities.

The local history group was setting up a new display, celebrating the life of Merl Wood, self-styled druid from some two hundred years ago. A statue of him stood on the town square, clad in flowing robes, a dove in one hand and, what was to my mind, a banana in the other. Dolly swore it was a sausage. There was a continual flow of members pinning up photographs of the important places in his life, along with accompanying text, or getting under foot while they stood in a huddle over a smart-phone checking out obscure facts on Google. We were having a hard time working around them as we tried to sort returns, and set aside books on order.

I was constantly on the go these days because we were short staffed. The town council, in their wisdom, had extended the opening hours, but cut the number of staff, relying on a few paid workers and a bunch of volunteers. A cost cutting exercise. They called it 'stream lining', claiming it would make the library more efficient and deliver a better service to the community. I couldn't see it myself. Dolly and I were among the lucky few; we had kept our jobs, but our duties now involved training the unpaid members of staff.

A combination of longer days, worrying about Aunt Jen and moping over Daniel had given me many restless nights. Even now I could feel a pulsing behind my right eye, and hoped I wouldn't end the day with a headache.

It had been decided that some reorganisation of the shelves would be innovative; this involved splitting the fiction section into 'moderns' and 'classics'. Of course the task had fallen to me, and my volunteer had called in sick.

As I halted a book-laden trolley in front of our new 'classics' section Dolly's voice became more and more audible. What was up now? Was his uncle piling on the pressure to resign and take up his rightful place as heir-apparent? I set the trolley brakes and went to investigate why my colleague was speaking 'voce magna', well aware that Lyndsay Roth could be upon him at any moment.

As I emerged from the shelter of the shelves I saw Dolly retreating away from Daniel Cooper who was bearing down on him.

“I need to see her Dolland!”

“I told you the other night, Cooper, Emily does not want to see you!”

Daniel merely put a hand on Dolly's forehead and pushed him aside.

“Out of my way, Damien.”

Everyone in the library was now looking on, agog with interest.

“Let him through, Dolly” I agreed resignedly, too tired to argue.

Daniel stopped in front of me and we just stood there, not knowing what to say, searching each beloved face for the longest time; or maybe only seconds. He looked worse that I felt, and that worried me. Had I done this to him? I became sure the haunted look he wore foretold bad tidings. Daniel seemed to know what was going through my mind.

“I've been up all night, at the hospital” he began by way of explanation.

Panic clutched at my throat, tears dimmed my eyes.

“What's happened? Why didn't you call me?”

“I had a low battery and no signal”. Daniel added in almost a whisper, “I couldn't leave her, Em!”

I felt so scared. Something terrible had happened to Aunt Jen. Out of habit I stepped closer, seeking comfort, reassurance. Daniels arms began to enfold me; I stepped back quickly, remembering why we were no longer together.

“Tell me” I demanded.

Daniel took a breath. “Jennifer fell last night.” My hands flew unbidden to my face. Daniel took them away, held them gently. “She's not in danger, Emily. I went with her in the ambulance; stayed with her all night. She's broken her let in two places.”

“Did they set it?” Dolly asked, wanting all the facts to better digest this disturbing news.

“Sometime this morning” Daniel answered, adding, “they were waiting for an orthopaedic cardiologist to take a look, in case the cancer has spread to her bones.”

“That doesn't sound so good” Dolly murmured.

“How did she fall? How did she break her leg?” I pressed for more details.

“Jennifer said she had a pain in her back” Daniel explained. “She said she'd had it on and off all day.”

“She never said anything when I was round there yesterday.”

I looked a mute question at Dolly, who shook a negative. She hadn't told him either.

“I told Jen she should have called one of us, but she didn't want to worry anyone.” Daniel was looking intently at me. “ It was Katie the carer who made her call the doctor, but she had gone by the time he came. Jen got up to answer the door and she fell.”

“I have to go to her!” I stammered, shock beginning to hit me hard.

Daniel wiped a hand over tired eyes. “I'm working from home today, but let me get some sleep and I'll drive you in”. He stifled a yawn.

Dolly gave him the once over. “You look knackered buddy. Leave it to me.”

Daniel turned away and headed for the entrance.

“Danny!” I called after him. “Thanks!”

He didn't turn around, didn't slow down; just gave a backwards wave of acknowledgement and exited.

When I asked my boss if Dolly and I could leave, she was anything but supportive. The library was too busy for any of the staff to go slacking off.

“But my aunt has terminal cancer!” I protested loudly. “You know that! I've just found out she's been taken to Yewell Memorial with a broken leg. I need to go to her!” My voice rose a few decibels, which, naturally, roused the attention of Lyndsay Roth.

“Miss Jenkins!” she intoned quietly but firmly. “I have warned you about the level of your voice before, on more than one occasion.”

The head librarian folded her arms , smiling smugly, certain that she had found an ally.

“Mrs Roth, Aunt Jen is in hospital. She fell last night and broke her leg. I need to go to her!”

My plea did not fall on deaf ears this time.

“Go!” Mrs Roth ushered both of us towards the door. “I'll cover for you.”

I could see that my boss was furious. I had gone over her head to the administrator of the entire building. No doubt we would face her wrath on our return.

In the car Dolly tried once again to get me to make it up with Daniel.

'So he had written an article about a sick neighbour, with her consent; Daniel had betrayed no one. He had merely behaved like a moron and neglected to tell his girlfriend.'

“You should forgive him, especially now. Hasn't he proved how much he cares for Jen? For you?”

“I don't know if I'm ready” I faltered. “Aunt Jen needs me more than ever now. She might not have long left.” I went cold at the thought.

“I'm stuck in the middle between you two. You're being silly, and I'm fed up with the whole thing. I'm losing an aunt too, you know!”

I was troubled by his admission, but held firm to my resolve.

Dolly thumped the steering wheel in frustration. “Damn it Emily!” he cursed. “Get it sorted or.......” The threat was left unfinished.

The reality of his words hit me like an icy bath. I was losing my aunt; I had split from Daniel; was I losing Dolly too?