Lightning Strikes (Hudson 2)

ooked at the clock and said I had better be going. I thanked her again for the tea. Then I said good-bye to William and Alexandra.

"Are you coming back?" William asked me.

"Of course she is," my father quickly said.

"Next time, I'll show you my animals," he promised. "Animals?"

"He has a collection of toy animals. Some he had to put together," Alexandra explained. "He's actually very good at it," she offered with a sister's pride.

"I'll look forward to seeing them," I told him. He lifted his shoulders and nodded, once again the little gentleman. My father followed me out.

"Leanna is a very perceptive woman," he told me. "Before this day is over, she'll ask me the key questions about you, I'm sure. I hope you'll find a place for us in your life," he added.

I laughed.

"Me, find a place for you? I'm like an apartment building with no tenants," I said.

He laughed.

"Please call during the week. We'll do something next weekend perhaps. All of us," he emphasized.

"I'll see," I said.

I was truly like someone out in the cold so long, I was afraid of the warmth of a fire, afraid that if I got too close, I'd burn myself.

Everyone was home by the time I returned to Endfield Place. Almost as soon as I entered, Leo approached me immediately. He was more animated than I had ever seen him. Usually, he hobbled about with sleepy eyes, looking as though he would have to go and rest after opening the door.

"Oh, miss," he declared with raised eyebrows and arms lifting. "Mrs. Endfield's been asking for you ever since she and Mr. Endfield returned. She wanted me to send you right up as soon as I set eyes on you."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Leo behaved as if he didn't hear my question. He closed the door, turned and muttered, "Right up."

I gazed down the corridor. All was quiet. Then I started up the stairs. When I reached my great-aunt's bedroom, I knocked arid waited and then knocked again, a little harder.

"Please, come in," I heard her moan.

She was in bed with a damp cloth over her forehead. Her pillows were so large and fluffy, she looked like she was sinking into them and soon would be gone. The comforter was up to her neck.

"Oh," I said, "aren't you well?"

"Some bloody allergy, the doctor thinks. The country doctor, that is. I just suddenly started to sneeze and sneeze and sneeze. I sneezed so much, my legs gave out and they had to carry me into the house. They've got me stuffed with medicine, which is making my head spin, but at least I'm not sneezing?'

"I'm sorry," I said. "Has this ever happened to you before?"

"No, but this isn't why I wanted to see you, dear. My sister called and was very, very insistent that you return the call, no matter what time, which I thought was quite unusual under the circumstances?'

"What circumstances?" I asked.

"She's apparently back in hospital."

"Oh no. Why?"

"I couldn't make head or tail of what she was saying. Words were going into my head and then getting ground up like vegetables in a blender. Something about a blocked artery is all I do recall. That and her rather dramatic demand that you call as soon as possible.

"I must say Frances has become quite a mystery to me these days," she added, focusing on me. "You can use that phone right there," she said, nodding at the phone on her little secretary desk to the right of her bed. I knew she wanted me to use it so she could listen in on the conversation, but I couldn't think of any way to avoid it. "I've written the number and country codes out for you. She has a private room, of course."

"Thank you," I said and went to the phone.