Rose sat on the bench outside the Cottage Hospital. She felt a knot tightening in her stomach and a tightness in her head.
There were so many things she should be doing, and people who needed her help, but she didn’t know what to do. And yet her indecision meant she was achieving nothing.
She felt guilty about leaving Julius alone with his jackal project at Borana, and deep down she realised she missed not being in the centre of the murder investigation. If Craig slept all afternoon would he even realise she wasn’t there? That wasn’t fair and she would feel guilty for leaving him alone. He should have finished his lunch now, so she should go back and check on him.
Rose pulled back a small curtain which covered a window in the door to Craig’s room. She presumed it was there so staff could check on their patients without disturbing them. Craig was already asleep. Rose ignored the sound of approaching footsteps as she watched his still form.
“You can go in,” Dr Farrukh said beside her.
“I don’t want to disturb him when he’s sleeping.”
“I doubt he is as a nurse has just been in to give him his medication. She asked me to come back and look at the bruise on his back. She’s concerned it’s spreading, but I’m afraid that even if it is, there’s little I can do.”
Dr Farrukh opened the door and ushered Rose inside.
Craig opened his eyes and smiled.
Dr Farrukh quickly and efficiently examined Craig’s back. She straightened up and said, “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about at the moment. I’ll check on you again this evening. Bye, Rose,” she said as she left the room.
Rose’s face was flushed and she felt hot, and even though she doubted it was the temperature of the room she still said, in a flustered voice, “It’s warm in here, isn’t it?” She glanced around uncertainly.
Craig tried to lift himself higher on the bed but was unable to do so.
She rushed across to help him. ‘Here, let me do that,” and she reached out with her hand.
Craig caught hold of her wrist and in a deliberate, but soothing tone asked, “Rose, what’s the matter?”
She slumped into a chair which had been left beside Craig’s bed. “It’s just that … I’m not sure … you see …”
Craig lifted his hand and Rose stopped.
“Shall we begin again?’ He asked quietly.
Rose’s words gushed out. “My dear, I just don’t know what to do. I know I should spend time with you, I want to spend time with you, but I feel guilty, and hopeless, and I can’t help other people when they need me. And what happens when you get better and come home? Do I need to sit by your bed all day, in case something happens? And what if I leave you and something does happen?”
“Stop,” said Craig firmly, and the African man in the bed opposite opened his eyes and cried out, and then returned to sleep.
“I have never expected you to hold a vigil by my bedside. In fact you would drive me mad as you’d be fretting and wondering what your were missing. It is the quality of our time together, not the quantity, which is important. And how could you tell me the local Nanyuki news, or stories of your patients, if you never left my bedside?”
Rose felt an unexpected release of tension in her body although her head still ached.
Craig continued, “I think Chris has been winding you up about rushing around rather than sitting quietly with me. Don’t worry, I’ll speak to him and explain that you need to be out and about. And that the local community is important to you. And you to the community.”
Rose looked at him gratefully.
Craig yawned. “I’m sorry. I think a combination of lunch and painkillers is kicking in. I think I’ll sleep most of the afternoon. Is there something you want to do?”
Rose looked down and began to wring her hands. “There is, but it’ll probably keep me away until the morning.”
Craig smiled, “That shouldn’t be a problem. Dr Farrukh and her team are providing excellent care and there’s nothing more you can do for me. I’m not going anywhere. I just need to rest and heal.”
She turned and reached forward grasping his hand. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I am. What do you need to do?”
“Return to Borana with Chloe. Julius needs my help with the jackals and, well, you know me,” she grinned sheepishly, “I want to know what is happening with Nina Scott Watson’s case.”
“Of course you do,” chuckled Craig, “And I want to hear all about it in the morning.”
Rose stepped out of Craig’s room and called Chloe. “Have you left yet?”
“No, but the police have spoken to Robert Scott Watson’s friend and I’m picking her up at Kongoni’s in half an hour.”
“If I go home and pack my overnight bag, and check on the animals, can you pick me up?”
“Yes, of course,” Chloe replied brightly.
Rose returned to Craig’s room but he was already asleep. She kissed his forehead and murmured, “I love you.”