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TESS DREW UP BY THE front door, noticing the SUV as before. Grabbing her bag she strode to the front door and rang the bell. When there was no reply she tried the door and found it opened.
‘Mrs Le Page? Sally? It’s Doctor Le Prevost.’
A faint voice called back, ‘Up here, in the bedroom. Door’s open.’
Tess took the stairs two at a time, her heart beating fast. A door along the landing stood partly open and she went towards it, pushing the door open wider. The room was dominated by a huge four-poster bed and for a moment she couldn’t see her patient. ‘Sally? Where are you?’
‘Here.’ A muffled voice came from the bed and as Tess walked closer she saw a figure under the heaped up bedclothes. Pulling them back gently, Sally’s head appeared. She had a bruise on her forehead and her eyes were puffy and red.
‘Okay, Sally. Tell me what happened. The truth, please.’ She kept her voice gentle.
‘We...we were at a social event last night and Don, my husband, had a lot to drink. Not that it showed, he’s...very careful like that. When we got home, he started yelling at me that I’d been flirting with another man on the same table, but I hadn’t. It was...the other way round. He started punching me...body...then...banged my head on the post. Called me names. I must have passed out. He slept in the spare room. Before he left this morning...he looked in and said something...can’t remember what, but I must have answered. Then he went. I’ve been sleeping on and...off all morning. Head hurts. Body hurts.’ Tears trickled down her face.
Tess took a deep breath.
‘Okay, Sally. I need to examine you, but first, where’s Rupert?’
‘At my mother’s. She had him last night...I phoned her to keep him today. Said not well.’
‘I see, that’s good. Now let me have a look at you.’ Gently she helped Sally turn, easing off her clothes to see where she was injured. Livid bruises covered her torso and arms. Tess sucked in her breath. The poor woman had been used as a punch-bag. The bastard!
‘Sally, we have to get you checked out in the hospital...’
‘No, please! I can’t. Don will kill me!’
‘I understand, but we might be able to keep it hushed up for the moment. I’m prepared to back you up if you say you fell down the stairs, but we need X-rays to check if there’s anything broken and I’m concerned about your head. If there are no fractures or breaks, I might be able to find somewhere for you to go–’
‘I can’t go to the refuge! I’m too well known–’
‘I realise that. I was going to suggest somewhere else. More private. Have you heard of La Folie? The health centre?’
Sally sniffed.
‘Yes.’
‘And, forgive my asking, but would you be able to afford to pay for a few days stay, if there’s a vacancy? And would your mother hang onto Rupert? Are you still breast-feeding?’
‘I have my own money. I stopped breast-feeding last week...becoming difficult. Can ask Mum...should be okay.’ Sally winced with pain and Tess knew she had to act quickly.
‘Good. I’ll call an ambulance and while we’re waiting I’ll pack a bag for you if you tell me what you need.’
By the time the ambulance arrived a bag was packed and Tess had helped Sally dress in loose yoga pants and a long-sleeve T-shirt. While the ambulance left for the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Tess called the surgery to say she was escorting her patient to hospital and then rang Paul at La Folie. She explained the situation and he said they could find a room if needed. She then set off to the hospital.
She arrived to find Sally had been sent off for X-rays and a brain scan and managed to talk to the A & E doctor. He was puzzled, saying it didn’t look like a fall down stairs to him, and Tess explained who Sally was and that they were trying to keep the assault quiet for the moment for her sake. He agreed to play along, as long as she received the right care. While she waited for the results, Tess phoned Jonathan, who fortunately was on his lunch break. He listened in shocked silence while she explained what had happened and what she was planning to do with Sally.
‘What a bastard! It’s hard to take in but...With regard to booking Sally into La Folie, although it’s unorthodox, if it keeps her safe, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Are you going to try and persuade her to report him to the police?’
‘Not necessarily me, but I’m hoping Paul or a counsellor might be able to convince her. But if he wasn’t taken into custody, I’d be afraid what he’d do.’
‘And me. Let’s see what happens with the X-rays. You’ve done well, Tess, and you’ve obviously gained her trust which is good. What’s happening about your afternoon surgery?’
‘My secretary’s rescheduling non-urgent appointments and the others are being shared among the partners.’
‘Okay. Keep me posted. Bye.’
Tess slumped back in the chair, praying Sally hadn’t suffered any permanent damage. Fifteen minutes later the A & E doctor came through to find her.
‘The scan and X-rays are clear, and there’s no obvious damage to any organs, but there are signs of old hairline fractures.’ He frowned. ‘This isn’t the first time, then?’
‘No, although Sally hasn’t said as such. Are you okay for her to go to La Folie? They have a doctor on the staff and I’m happy to visit if necessary. Just until she has a chance to heal and make some decisions.’
He nodded.
‘Sure, we certainly wouldn’t send her home. Normally I’d be flagging this as assault, but I’ll hold back for now. And unless Mrs Le Page wants to press charges, there’s no point involving the police. Are you taking her to La Folie in your car?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. I just have to confirm we’re coming.’
‘Good. I’ll see a nurse gets her ready. Good luck, Doctor.’ He shook her hand and left.
Tess breathed a sigh of relief. Right, time to book Sally a room.
Thirty minutes later, Tess was relaxing in a squishy chair in the grand reception hall of La Folie while Paul arranged for Sally to be shown to her room. The atmosphere was one of peace and calm and the scent of aromatic oils wafted through the air. The white uniformed staff had treated Sally with the utmost concern and gentleness. Tess was not only impressed, she was wishing she could spend a few days here herself, being pampered the way Charlotte had once described to her. On the drive here, she had asked a pale Sally what she would tell her husband.
‘My mother’s going to tell him I’ve gone away for a few days and she’s looking after Rupert. She suspects that Don...hits me, but I haven’t admitted it. Yet. I...I still love him, crazy as that might sound, and we have a baby. I don’t know what to do.’
‘I understand. There’s a counsellor at the centre so perhaps you can talk to her and work out how to go on from here. All I’ll say is, it was a vicious assault, Sally, and you’re lucky it wasn’t fatal.’
Sally nodded, her expression bleak.
‘Right, Tess, Sally’s settled in her room and thank you for thinking of us. We don’t normally get asked to take in victims of assault, but I’m only too glad to be of help. Poor woman,’ Paul said, shaking his head. ‘She’ll be well looked after, I promise you. We’ve told staff Sally’s here to recover from a serious accident and needs time on her own.’
‘Thanks, Paul. Give me a call if you’ve any concerns. Oh, and I suggested to Sally she might want to talk to a counsellor and I think she might be willing to do that.’
‘Good, it’s something I’ll encourage. Go and relax, I can see you’ve had a stressful day.’
She gazed into his hypnotic blue eyes and smiled. Yes, Sally was in good hands.
By the time Tess arrived home she was famished as well as drained. Charlotte took one look at her and insisted she joined them for supper, about to be served. Andy was putting James to bed and would be down shortly.
‘I know you can’t give details, but you’ve clearly had a bad day. I’m happy to listen if you want to talk.’ Charlotte pushed a glass of wine towards her as she took a seat.
‘Thanks. It’s a nasty case of domestic abuse and the poor woman still loves her husband and doesn’t know which way to turn. I’ve found her a safe place for the moment but...’ she shrugged, before taking a swallow of wine.
‘Oh, that’s horrid. Poor her and poor you. No wonder you look done in.’ Charlotte began setting the food on the table and Tess helped herself to some chilli con carne and crusty bread. Just what she needed after missing lunch. Andy came in and said hello before taking his seat.
‘Tess has had to deal with a domestic abuse today, and is shattered, so I asked her to join us,’ she said, squeezing Andy’s shoulder.
‘Oh, right. Tough one. Must be hard not to become emotionally involved with something like that,’ Andy said, filling his plate.
‘It is. It makes me so angry I see red. Have to really work at staying calm. I find it hard to imagine why a woman would stay with a violent man these days, when we have much more independence than our forebears.’ Tess took a mouthful of food to try and take her mind off Sally’s reluctance to leave her husband.
The conversation then shifted to the progress on Tess’s house and how pleased she was with the work.
‘I should be able to move in three or four weeks and I can’t begin to say how grateful I am to you both for putting up with me all this time. You’ve been the best hosts.’ Tess would miss them, but hey, they lived on a small island.
‘You’re more than welcome. I’ve enjoyed having another woman around for a good gossip and our door’s always open.’ Charlotte started clearing away the plates and Tess suspected she was trying to hide her real feelings and gave her a hug.
‘Can we be sisters? I love my brother but have always wanted a sister.’
Charlotte grinned.
‘As an only child I missed out big time. Louisa and I have declared ourselves sisters and I’m happy to gain another. What fun!’
‘I’m beginning to feel quite left out. Can’t I be something?’ Andy asked in a sorrowful voice.
‘You’re my husband, my best friend and lover. What more do you want?’ Charlotte said, planting a kiss on his forehead.
‘Guess that’ll have to do, then,’ he said, with a grin.
At a partners’ meeting at the surgery the next day, one of the items up for discussion was the case of Mrs Sally Le Page. Tess had been warned by Jonathan that this would happen, but assured her it was normal procedure. Not totally reassured she spent an anxious time waiting to be asked to give her report. Once she had done so, the matter was discussed between the partners on their own. She was then called back to be told they found her actions, although not strictly in keeping with normal procedure, to have been in the best interests of the patient and her safety. It was decided if the husband were to ask questions, he would be told nothing. Tess, relieved, carried on working that day, feeling she had undergone a baptism of fire. The white face of young Gary as he lay stretched out on the hospital trolley still occasionally haunted her. She didn’t want another unnecessary death on her hands.
It was Friday and Tess was looking forward to seeing Jack and she was due to spend the weekend with him. After throwing a few clothes and necessities into a bag she popped into the kitchen to say she was off and Charlotte asked how she was.
‘Much better, thanks. And I had a good day at work. What about you?’
‘Read a bit more of the diaries, including Eugénie’s wedding. Hugo’s obviously very fond of her isn’t he? But definitely no hanky-panky between Victor and Eugénie, so you can’t be descended from him, I’m afraid.’ Charlotte pulled a face.
‘Fine by me. I’m more than happy with knowing what good friends they were. He must have loved her like a daughter; rather sweet, don’t you think?’
‘Definitely. Much more wholesome. Which is more than can be said for your activities this weekend, I expect.’ Charlotte winked at her.
Tess laughed.
‘I certainly hope so. Have a good weekend and see you on Sunday.’
‘Bye.’
By the time Tess arrived at Jack’s cottage she was in thoughtful mood and less sure of what she felt about her relationship with Jack. Jonathan’s description of Don Le Page as a ‘charming man’ juxtaposed with the image of Sally’s battered face had made her check him out online. He looked the archetypical successful businessman; smooth good looks and oozing charm. It occurred to Tess that she hardly knew Jack and yet she was allowing herself to fall for him, bigtime. Should she hold back a bit? Not that she thought he might be violent, but...
They spent most of the weekend at the beach and she felt like a new woman, sporting a healthy glow from the sun’s rays and full of endorphins from the swimming and surfing. Tess knew she’d been a bit detached over the weekend and when they were saying goodbye Jack had asked her if there was anything wrong.
‘Oh, it’s just work. I’ve had a bit of a shitty week.’
He seemed to accept it and gave her a big hug.
When Tess arrived home early Sunday evening she phoned Paul to ask after Sally.
‘She’s doing quite well, Tess. Louisa has given her a private session of physio in the pool, which has eased her stiffness and we’ll repeat it. She’s also agreed to see our counsellor, Molly, tomorrow which is encouraging. So, all good so far.’
‘Great, thanks, Paul. I’ll phone tomorrow for an update. Bye.’
Relieved to hear her patient was making progress, Tess went in search of Charlotte, finding her in the kitchen studying a cookery book with a glass of wine.
‘Hi. Trying something new?’ Tess plonked down beside her.
‘Just looking for inspiration. Salads can be so boring, can’t they? As it’s too hot to spend hours over a hot stove I’ve invested in a book specialising in unusual salads and some look absolutely scrumptious.’ She closed the book. ‘Andy’s reading James a bedtime story and we’re going to have an omelette for supper later. Care to join us?’ Charlotte topped up her glass of white wine and poured Tess a glass.
‘Thanks, I’d like that. Cheers!’
They shared what they’d done over the weekend, Charlotte saying they’d taken James to the beach and been to see Andy’s parents.
‘And I found time to do a little more reading.’ She explained about Eugénie’s pregnancy and the slightly premature birth of a son in March 1870. Called Victor after Victor Hugo, who became his godfather.
‘Ah, I wonder if that’s what fed the rumour about Hugo being the father?’
‘That’s what I thought, too. There’s no sign that Pierre doubted he was the father, so the rumours must have started later.’
‘I guess. I’ll carry on from where you left off later this evening. Eugénie’s really getting under my skin. I want to know everything about her.’
After supper Tess went to her room with the diary Charlotte had been reading. She settled down on the sofa and found the place her friend had marked and started reading. It always took her a few minutes to get to grips with the French. She was near the end of the entries for 1870 when she cried out, ‘No! Oh, no!’ and re-read the words ‘last night he punched and kicked me after drinking heavily during the evening’. Reading on, Tess saw how trapped she felt and was angry on her behalf. Glancing up, she saw Eugénie weeping at her desk.