Chapter 98

Ciara closed the door behind Jon and Jesse, leaning against the door she suddenly fought a wave of dizziness.

She had woken up with lead in her tummy and she just knew it would be one of those days, those indescribable miserable days when nothing seemed right for some absurd reason.

Returning back to her room she flashed a quick look in the mirror. Make- up... check, teeth...brushed, hair neatly in place...yeah right...pink cheeks....a quick pinch and she was ready to go.

Ciara met Ksenia at the entrance of the hotel. Ksenia hadn’t seemed herself this morning at the table and put it down to the tense atmosphere. Heck she was put off her own food!

“Are you ok?” Ciara touched her gently on the arm.

“I’m...yeah...I’m ok.”

She flashed a lopsided smile towards the pale girl.

“Wow! That was really convincing.”

Ksenia surprised her with a cheeky tongue popping from her mouth. They giggled making their way towards the waiting taxi. Watching as Ksenia brushed tiredly across her brow, Ciara felt that same niggling tuck from moments before, something was wrong...

Ciara watched as Ksenia paged listlessly through the book she took from the shelve moments ago, brushing a hand across her forehead she caught Ciara’s eyes on her.

The wobbly smile wasn’t convincing and Ciara stepped closer.

“Are you sure you’re ok? You seem to be off-colour.”

“Maybe the flu or something? “ Fear flitted across her face so abruptly, Ciara thought she might have imagined it.

As the day progressed Ksenia drew quieter. She seemed uncomfortable somehow and her flushed face was a dead give away.

By lunchtime the girl seemed positively sick .

“Why don’t we finish up here and get you back to the hotel. Maybe an asprin will do the trick huh?”

Ksenia gulped her coffee down and smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry for messing up our day, but I really think I should lie down for a while.”

Ciara brushed into the air, snorting playfully.

“Aarrgh! What you talking about? We had some fun and besides I’m pooped as well.”

On the way to the hotel Ksenia seemed to have fallen asleep. Beads of sweat pearled on her forehead and Ciara watched in panic as her breathing kicked into high gear.

“Ksenia? I think we should take you to hospital. You are getting worse by the minute.”

The taxi driver met her worried gaze n the mirror, waiting for her to give him the word.

“No! No please. I just need to get back.”

Ksenia clung onto Ciara as they entered the hotel, her hands felt like life coals on her skin and Ciara coaxed.

“Not too far, now. Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”

“No...I’m...”

As they reached the room, Ciara struggled to unlock the door with nerveless fingers.

Ksenia was leaning against the wall, groaning softly.

The moment they reached the bed, the slight frame of the girl plunged onto the mattress. Grabbing her stomach, she curled into a foetal position whispering incoherently.

“Please hang on, I’m going to get Richie.”

“Richie....yes...or Jon...”

Ciara was a bundle of nerves as she ended the call. No one was available. Richie, Jon, David...NO ONE!!!

Ciara squared her shoulders, taking a few deep breaths she forced herself to calm down. Now was not the time to get hysterical.

“Sweetie, I can’t find any of them. Do you know where I should try and find them?”

“I think...no...I dunno.” She tumbled back into her world.



Rushing towards the bathroom, she wetted a face cloth. She could smell the sickly scent of fever from where she stood. Something had to be done!

~~~

Jon’s head whipped up, his eyes suddenly closed in deep concentration.

“What’s wrong daddy?”

Jesse’s voice drifted from his lap to his ears.

Ciara! She was upset.

Her panic speared like icy rays into his mind.

Jon’s eyes snapped open, his irises glimmering cobalt.

“Daddy? What’s wrong? Why are your eyes shining like that? Are you angry?”

Jon blinked.

“No buddy. I’m not angry. Daddy is just tired. Let’s go back to the hotel ok?”

Jesse wriggled from his lap.

“Are we going to see Ciara now? I must tell her about all the animals I saw today and I have to give her this...”

Jon smiled. How could she be so memorable? An ominous tug at his insides froze the smile on his face.

“Lets go see Ciara.”

“Yaaaayyyyy!” Jesse grabbed his father’s hand, pulling him towards the path.