Pipe Burst Guest novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: Soup

I pulled the connecting door shut behind me and went into my own sitting room smiling.

Ines was standing by the table with a paper bag and a covered pot, in a cream coat, her hair loose.

She put the pot down and opened her arms.

"There you are. I've called you four times."

"I was in the bath," I said, and let her hold me.

She smelled of vanilla, the same as always.

For ten years that smell had meant someone was on my side.

I kept my arms around her and counted to five, and then I let go.

"How is your stomach?" I asked.

"Better. They sent me home this morning." She touched my cheek. "You look so tired, sweetheart."

"I haven't slept."

"Of course you haven't. Cesare is beside himself."

"Is he?"

"He thinks you ran off because of something at dinner. He wants you home."

She said it so gently that I almost believed the kindness in her voice.

I sat down at the table and she ladled soup into a bowl for me, and the steam rose between us.

"He made an appointment for you," Ines said. "Tomorrow at ten, at the family doctor's clinic."

"The family doctor."

"He only wants to help. He says the stress is making you see things."

"Did he say that, or did you?"

Ines tilted her head.

"Marisa. We both love you."

I looked at her.

Under the table my left hand curled around my knee until the nails dug in.

"I'll think about it," I said.

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