Hilary and Honor had a good chat about future plans. Honor was honest about her situation and she actually produced a printed spreadsheet outlining how her finances would come together in the next few weeks. Hilary was impressed. She was also impressed by the office area in the small apartment which Honor showed her. The second bedroom was devoted to her business and the entire room was set up for the purpose and arranged in such a way that Hilary could see how efficient and organized this young woman was. From the computers, there were two, to the shelves on which colour-coded files stood at the ready, to the high-tech printer/ fax/ copier, everything spoke of Honor Pace’s abilities in the field of internet business skills. The bright red hair was not, it seemed, indicative of her reliability.
As Hilary had just come from the lawyer’s office and now knew the kind of complications that lay ahead for the co-housing project, she felt relieved to know they would have a competent internet person installed in Harmony House.
“Oh, Honor, thanks again for the suggestion about the elevator company. It looks like we will go ahead with them. That reminds me to ask about your impressions of the lower level of Harmony House. I am thinking it would be the perfect location for you.”
“I hardly dare ask for that prime spot, Hilary. It is more than I need. Could I request it temporarily, until I am fully mobile again? Access to that amazing patio and garden must be available for all our house members to enjoy in the better weather.”
“That sounds reasonable, but I feel the space you need for your business fits the area well as long as you are content with being interrupted every time someone uses the laundry or sits outside chatting over a cup of coffee.”
“Truthfully, I would be glad of the interruptions. I am tired of living alone like this. My business doesn’t occupy my entire day and one of my reasons for seeking out your group is my desire for the company of like-minded women.”
Hilary chuckled. “I think we can supply the company you want. We’ll consider the lower area yours for now and the next step to make it easily available for the rest of us will be worked out later.”
They were celebrating this mutually-beneficial decision over tea and cookies when Hilary’s phone began to chime its carillion.
“Excuse me for one moment, Honor.”
She removed the phone from its designated pocket in her purse and answered in a cheery voice without looking to see where the call was coming from.
“Hello.”
“Hilary Montgomery?”
“Yes. Who’s calling this number?”
“I am a police officer calling on behalf of Mavis Montgomery and Eve Dobrinski.”
“What’s happened?”
“Your friends are fine now. They are at London Health Sciences’ Emergency where they have been checked out by doctors and declared ready to be released.”
“Was there an accident?”
“There was a home invasion and I need to ask if you could take your friends to a hotel or another house for a night. Your house is the scene of a crime and access needs to be restricted for twenty-four hours.”
Hilary stopped and took a deep breath. Honor saw her face blanch and knew there was trouble.
“I will find somewhere. Are you sure Mavis and Eve are well? Can I come now? Will you fill me in on the details?”
“Yes, to everything you ask. An officer will be with your friends and he will tell you what occurred. When can you be here?”
“Soon. I am not far away. Please tell them I am coming.”
“Of course.”
The call ended. Honor waited in suspense. Hilary gathered her courage.
“There’s been some kind of break-in at my home. Mavis and Eve are in hospital but they have recovered. I don’t know for sure but my instinct tells me it has something to do with Eve’s Howard Dobrinski.
I need to find a place for us for tonight until the police are finished at the house.”
Honor quickly grasped the situation. “Would Vilma be able to take you three for the night? It would be better if you were with a friend rather than in an impersonal hotel. I will track Vilma down for you and alert her.”
Hilary was already pulling on her coat.
“Excellent idea! You know my number. Let me know if Vilma can do it.”
Before Hilary reached her car, Honor had found Vilma and filled her in with the little she knew.
“I’m leaving Jannice’s now. Tell Hilary to bring them to me. I’ll get everything ready for them.
Thanks Honor. I’ll call you once they are settled.”
Hilary Dempster broke her own rules by speeding to the hospital. If anyone had dared to stop her she was ready with her excuse. This was an emergency.
She parked in the nearest spot to the entrance without bothering to check if it was permitted. Then she ran at full tilt for the double doors which separated as soon as she approached. Into her mind came Mavis’s account of waiting in this same place when Eve was there. This time, Hilary decided she was not going to wait. She needed to see Mavis and Eve at once.
Calming herself, but fully aware she was using her most authoritative voice and manner, she spoke urgently to the person behind the glass window and explained that she had been instructed by the police to come and fetch her friends, Mavis Montgomery and Eve Dobrinski.
Apparently, she was expected. A young doctor was summoned and he took her to a waiting room where the two women sat silently together with their arms linked. She saw a large bruise on Mavis’s forehead and asked about it.
“The doctor checked my reactions. He said I have a slight concussion but it will be fine if I take it easy for a few days.”
“Oh, Mavis!”
“She was so brave, Hilary. She saved my life. I don’t know what I would have done…….”
“Say no more now, let’s get out of here. I need to talk to the officer then we’ll go to Vilma’s for the night.”
The officer was at a table conferring with the doctor on duty. Hilary identified herself and he drew her aside so no one could hear their conversation.
“It’s safe to say Mr. Dobrinski is under remand for ignoring a harassment order and assaulting his wife and her friend. Sergeant Price asked me to tell you there is no possibility of bail. He will be held until the judge can appoint a solicitor. We have two witnesses and a prior complaint, as well as evidence now being gathered. We will contact you some time tomorrow when we are ready to release the house back to you.”
“Thank you, officer. I don’t know what else to say. I am still in shock.”
“Drive carefully then.”
“I will.”
He shook her hand and at that moment her phone beeped. She saw the text message from Honor and was glad Honor had also thought to provide the directions to Vilma’s house. In her present distracted mental state Hilary was not sure she could find her way out of the hospital without help.
Vilma would look after all three of them, she knew. For once, Hilary Dempster was happy to relinquish responsibility. She would drive carefully to Vilma’s and help to look after the victims but she was not sure she would be able to sleep this night.
Vilma Smith’s home was brightly lit, warm inside and full of all the comforts any person could wish for.
As soon as she saw the three bedraggled women emerge from the car, she knew not to ask any questions but to provide all the hot food and drink they needed and to show them to the bedrooms she had prepared. She put Hilary in a twin room with Mavis and installed Eve in a single room right next to her own with a door left open between them. The lights would stay on all night and she would set out snacks and drinks in the kitchen should anyone find it difficult to sleep.
Mavis had headache medication and Eve had been provided with a mild sedative by the doctor. If they preferred, she was satisfied if they wished to stay comfortably by the fireside all night. She had a stack of soft blankets and throws there as well as pillows. There was a television above the fireplace and quiet classical music to distract them if they wanted it.
Hilary drew Vilma aside when she saw all the preparations that had been made.
“I am so grateful you were standing by, Vilma. This is a shocking business. I don’t know if I could have coped on my own tonight.”
“Don’t mention it. I have had enough drama in my life to know how important it is to have friends to call upon when they are needed. Make yourself at home, Hilary. You are not alone in this. We will sort it out together. We are all strong women here.”
“All I can think of is how fast I can sell my home now. It’s tainted forever and I will never feel the same way about it.”
“Don’t worry about the future. We are safe here for now and you can stay as long as you need. I will call Jannice and Honor and tell them everyone is cared for.”
Hilary went back to the fireside where Mavis and Eve had settled. She clung to the thought this awful event might have one good outcome. If this crisis did not bind all six women together into a mutually- supportive family group, nothing ever would.