Blake had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, even before his mobile started ringing. The feeling grew as he pulled it out of his pocket and raised it to his ear.
‘Blake,’ he said ducking into a doorway to lessen the roar of the morning traffic.
‘Is that Dr Blake?’
‘Speaking,’ said Blake.
‘This is Dr Hopwood. I’m ringing about your mother.’ The man’s voice sound stiff and awkward.
‘Is she okay?’ said Blake gripping the phone tightly.
‘Your mother has had an … episode.’
Blake could feel his blood pressure rising. ‘What kind of episode?’ he said, his features tensing with unease.
‘A psychotic episode. She’s sedated and comfortable, but I think it would be good if you could come into the hospital, if that’s at all possible,’ he added.
‘What do you mean “psychotic”?’
‘She became very disturbed during the night.’
There was a tense silence on the other end of the line.
‘Tell me,’ said Blake.
‘I’m afraid she had to be restrained,’ said Hopwood finally.
Blake let the words soak in for a second. ‘Restrained? You mean she was violent?’ Blake could feel a plug of acidity rising in his throat.
‘She’s okay now,’ said the doctor.
A sense of foreboding swirled around Blake’s mind. ‘What did she do?’
‘I don’t want to worry you unduly. It’s probably better that you come in so we can discuss it. How about two?’
‘Two o’clock,’ confirmed Blake his jaw set tight. He clicked off the phone.