Angel of Death

‘There must be good hospitals in Greece, though, where she can be taken care of?’

‘Yes, of course. But Pan wants to be in her own home.’

‘I can sympathise with her. I’m sure I would feel the same. She has an unusual name – Pan. Is it short for something?’

‘Pandora.’ He smiled at her. ‘Her father had a weird sense of humour. He always said, women cause most of the trouble in the world. Greece is still very much a male-orientated country although some women have gained more freedoms over the past twenty years. There’s an old Greek story about how trouble first got into the world. It tells you a lot about the way Greek men think. Trouble is supposed to have been shut up in a box. It was released by a woman, called Pandora.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard that story, but it’s just a myth, isn’t it?’

‘Greek men take it seriously. Even Socrates had a nagging wife, you know.’

‘Did he? Maybe that’s why he was always out of the house talking to young men! Does your wife like her name?’

‘She laughs about it, but she prefers to be called Pan. It’s shorter, and sounds quite modern, although, of course, it was also the name of one of the Greek gods. Pan, the god of nature.’

‘Are you Greek?’ He certainly didn’t sound it, and his colouring made her suspect he wasn’t Greek but he obviously knew a lot about the country.

‘No, I’m English.’ He held out his hand. ‘Charles Leigh.’

Miranda took his hand, saying her name.

‘Miranda,’ he repeated. ‘Now that is a lovely name, and The Tempest is my favourite Shakespearean play. Of course, my wife is Greek, although she speaks English. She spent several years at an English school.’

‘Why was that?’

‘Her father wanted her to speak good English – it helps in their business. He owned the hotel I’m going to run, and a majority of their guests are English. I met my wife when she was over here, on a training course, run by the hotel chain I work for.’

‘But she’s delicate?’

‘No, on the contrary. She plays a lot of sport, is very active. She’s a perfectly healthy girl, she just has a problem staying pregnant.’

Sympathetically, Miranda said, ‘What a pity, it must be very worrying for both of you.’

‘That’s an understatement. It’s a nightmare. I’d be happy to adopt, I hate to watch her going through this, but she wants to have a baby of her own.’ He grimaced. ‘Sorry, I don’t know why I’m burdening you with all this – there’s something about hospitals that gets you talking about things you wouldn’t normally mention!’

Nurse Embry came bustling back. ‘Ward sister says she’s ready for you, now.’ She smiled at the man. ‘Mr Leigh?’

‘Yes.’

‘Sister asked me to tell you to come in, too.’

She began to wheel Miranda out into the corridor and Charles Leigh followed them.

‘Well, I hope you find your mother well, Miranda,’ he said, holding open the ward door for them.

‘Thanks, and I hope your wife is fine, too.’

He was a very attractive man, but under that smooth tan she saw pallor and his eyes had a veiled desperation in them. She was sorry for him, and his wife. How did anyone cope with such a situation?

They were in a far worse plight than she was, despite the fear she felt all the time. She couldn’t imagine how you coped with their problem. The grief and apprehension must be overwhelming.

Nurse Embry pushed her over to a bed at the far end, by a high window, in which her mother lay, her head bandaged and her face very pale.

‘Mum.’ Miranda was stricken, staring at her, feeling very guilty. It was all her fault. If she hadn’t sent her mother to stay at the flat it wouldn’t have happened. It should have occurred to her that whoever had tried to kill her might go to her flat and try again.

‘It looks worse than it is,’ Dorothy quickly said, seeing her expression. ‘Now, don’t be taking any notice of these bandages, the nurses were just practising on me, that’s my opinion. I haven’t any serious injuries, just a few grazes and bruises. And a great big lump like an egg! They’ve x-rayed my head but they said there was no brain damage, no internal injuries. They’re only keeping me in for a night in case I turn out to have concussion.’

‘But you’re having headaches, Nurse Embry told me.’