I didn’t find what he was saying to be amusing or entertaining. I could not fathom that I had been in hospital for that long.
“Is today really Thursday? How long have I been asleep?” I needed confirmation.
“Yes, but Catherine, you will be fine. We’ll be able to get you discharged from here within a week.”
“How bad are my injuries?”
“You had major swelling of the tissue surrounding your hip, which has now decreased considerably. You also fractured your femur, which needed surgery, what we call an ‘open reduction’. You see, we inserted a piece of metal, called an internal fixator, which will hold your bone in place while it heals. You have no neck, back or head injuries. With a fall like that, you are very lucky not to have sustained further injuries.”
I nodded with a fake smile, which he picked up on.
“A Mr Barclay has organised a private nurse to be in your room around the clock. I didn’t think it was necessary, but he was adamant that that was what he wanted.”
“Where is James? Is he here?” I asked.
“He has been here all day, every day. But just as you were coming around, he had to leave.”
“Will you contact him for me please and tell him that I would like to see him as soon as possible?”
“Yes, of course,” he promised.
There was a knock at the door. The doctor went to the door and started to speak with someone. I couldn’t hear the other person’s voice. The doctor popped his head back in.
“Are you up for a visitor, Catherine? A Jules Kent?”
“Yes, yes!” I nodded frantically.
“I will leave you to it then,” the doctor said as he left the room.
“I will be waiting outside Miss, until your visit is done,” the nurse said as she followed the doctor out of the room.
And there was Jules. She looked awful. Her eyes were dark and she was more pale than usual.
“My darling Catherine, we thought we had lost you, my beautiful girl…”
“Oh, Jules. I am so sorry.”
“I have never been so scared in all my life. I couldn’t lose you. You are the sister I never had. You, my dear, would have to be the most lucky and most unlucky person I have ever met.”
“I know, I couldn’t agree more.”
“What happened?”
“Hmmm… I must have lost my balance. My legs were still sore from the fall from the horse and I miscalculated my step. I don’t remember anything after that,” I lied.
“Well, I don’t think I will be able to forget it. I was on my way to Mr Cartwright with a message from Mr Barclay when I heard your scream. Mr Cartwright must have heard it too because he ran right past me. When I finally got to you, both Mr Cartwright and Mr Barclay were standing over you, helpless.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened them she was still shaking her head.
“Catherine, it is almost impossible to describe to you the terror in both those men’s faces. They were horrified, and the look in Mr Barclay’s eyes. It was almost like…”
“Like what?” I asked.
“It was like he had just lost everything. He kept calling out your name. It was heart wrenching!” she admitted. “And poor Mr Cartwright… He just stood there, helpless and speechless. No one dared move you. And Mr Barclay would not allow anyone to touch you or come near you. It was unbelievable when the ambulance came and took you away, Richard sat on the bottom of the staircase for hours.”
“What? Why?”
“Well I guess he did not know where to go. It is not my place to say, but… I overheard Mr Barclay telling Mr Cartwright to stay away from you. I was in complete shock. He doesn’t know that I heard. I don’t know what came over Mr Barclay. It’s not like him,” she announced.
“And now?” I asked.
“Well I haven’t seen Mr Cartwright since Sunday and Mr Barclay has been coming back and forth. He has found a replacement for you.”
“A replacement!”
“Just until you get better. I think you may be here for another week. Oh, yes, before I forget, I brought you a few things — toiletry items, your handbag and phone. If there is anything else you think of that you need, I can bring it up for you tomorrow.”
“Thank you Jules. You did good!”
“I will put everything here in your drawer; close enough for you to reach. Mr Barclay has made it clear that no students or teachers, except for me of course, are to visit you. How do you feel?”
“I don’t know… I am still in shock that I have been here for so long already. And that I may have to stay another week!”
“Please, Catherine that should not be an issue for you. You do not understand how fortunate you are. Please I have told Mr Barclay that when the time comes, I will come and collect you.”
“Jules, I would really appreciate that. Thank you. As soon as the doctor lets me know when I can leave and the time, I will call you and let you know.”
“Perfect.”
“The doctor did tell me not to visit for too long, so you can rest. I had better go. I tell you, I have aged years from all your accidents!” she laughed, trying to make light of the situation, but I knew it was true.
The moment Jules left the room, the nurse came back in an instant. I knew that I had been pushed down those stairs and I knew that James believed that also. But I was not scared anymore. I was angry that this ghost was such a coward. I used to think it had feelings for me and that it wanted me in its own sick way. I thought that these things kept happening because of jealousy, but not anymore. I was coming to the conclusion that this thing was vengeful, and had a feeling of resentment towards me, and worst of all that it wanted me dead. I hated it, whatever it was. I couldn’t wish it dead because it was already dead. I wished it would go back to wherever it had come from — hell, I guess.
What in God’s name have I done to deserve this?
I closed my eyes and tried to recall my last dream. I called it a dream for the sake of my sanity, but I knew it wasn’t.
OK, so I think ‘little’ Elizabeth saved my life and somehow she is connected to the ‘old’ Elizabeth I met on the plane. But how?
I opened my eyes, deciding to call ‘old’ Elizabeth. I reached over to my handbag and pulled out my wallet. From inside I retrieved a card with the names Mr Edward Knox and Mrs Elizabeth Knox, a London address and a phone number on it. I picked up my phone. The battery was flat.
“Damn!” I said, without thinking. The nurse looked up and realised I was having trouble with my phone.
“Pardon me, Miss. Would you like to use a phone?” she asked softly.
“Yes, please. My phone is flat and I really need to make a call,” I replied.
She pressed my buzzer and waited for another nurse to come in. This nurse then scurried off to get a phone for me.
“I am sorry I cannot leave to give you any privacy,” she apologised nervously.
“Oh… no… That’s OK,” I reassured her with a smile.
I dialled the number, not really knowing what I was going to say.
Here goes nothing!
It rang for a while and I considered hanging up. In my mind, I kept saying, “one more ring, one more ring” until finally someone answered.
“Edward speaking,” Edward answered. His voice was low and solemn, not at all the way I remembered it.
“Hello, Edward. I don’t know if you remember me, it’s Catherine. We met on the plane from Sydney,” I muttered.
“Catherine, yes my dear. I do remember you. Are you well?” he asked politely.
“Yes, thank you. Um… I’m calling because I am going to be in London a week from today and I was hoping to call in. Would that be OK?” I asked.