Читать книгу The Doctor - Lisa Stone, Lisa Stone - Страница 14

‘Come in,’ Emily welcomed Alisha the following afternoon as she opened her front door. ‘So pleased you came. I wondered if you would.’

‘Thank you, but I can’t stay for long,’ Alisha said straight away, slightly out of breath from walking from next door.

‘Come through into the living room. We’re in here.’

‘We?’ Alisha asked, stopping still in the hall.

‘Yes. Robbie and me,’ Emily laughed. ‘Don’t look so worried.’

‘Oh, I see,’ Alisha replied and cautiously followed her into the living room. Emily noticed how tense she was, as if attending an interview rather than a neighbour’s for coffee.

‘Do sit down. Make yourself at home,’ Emily encouraged. ‘What would you like to drink?’

‘Just a glass of water please.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yes. Thank you.’

Emily left Alisha in the living room perched on the edge of the sofa and went into the kitchen to pour two glasses of water. Robbie toddled after her. Returning, she set the glasses on the occasional table within reach. ‘So how are you?’ she asked.

‘Not too bad, I manage.’

‘You know if you ever need anything to let me know. I’m on extended maternity leave.’

‘That’s kind, but Amit sees to everything I need.’

‘OK,’ Emily said. She took a sip of her water and wondered what to say next. The poor woman seemed so ill at ease. ‘Good boy,’ Emily told Robbie who was playing with his toys, then smiled at Alisha. An awkward silence fell, and then Emily asked, ‘You don’t have children?’

Alisha shook her head.

Another silence before Emily asked, ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like a hot drink?’

‘No thank you. Did you ever find your cat?’

‘No. But she’s microchipped and my mobile number is on her collar, so I’m still hopeful someone will spot her and contact me.’

Alisha nodded.

‘I miss her,’ Emily said. ‘She’s like one of the family. We had her before we had Robbie.’

Alisha gave another small nod. ‘I’d like a pet, but Amit won’t have one.’

‘Oh? Why is that?’ Emily asked, seizing the chance to make conversation.

‘He doesn’t like them. Says they carry germs. My immune system is weak, so I have to be careful.’

‘I see. Although I think if pets are well looked after they don’t carry many germs, do they?’

‘I don’t know, but Amit won’t change his mind.’ As Alisha took a sip of her water, Emily saw her hand tremble.

‘So Amit looks after you and treats you well then?’ she asked.

‘Yes.’

‘What does he do in that shed every evening? He’s often still in there when I go to bed.’

‘Research,’ she replied without hesitation.

‘Research on what?’

‘The disease I have. It’s a rare genetic condition and hardly any research has gone into finding a cure. We lost our only son to it five years ago.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry. I’d no idea.’

‘We don’t really talk about it. It’s too upsetting, especially now I’m going the same way.’

‘I am sorry,’ Emily said again and felt even more uncomfortable. ‘Do you have friends and family who can help and support you?’

‘A few.’

Robbie came over and tried to engage Alisha by placing a toy on her lap. She removed it straight away and set it on the floor. Then stood. ‘Thank you for the drink, but I must go now.’

‘Really, already? You‘ve only just arrived.’

‘I can’t be away from home for long.’

Was it Robbie’s presence, after losing her own son? Emily wondered, as she saw Alisha to the door. But if that was the reason for her sudden departure, why come at all? She had known she had a child.

‘If it’s difficult for you to go out, perhaps I could come to you next time?’ Emily offered as she said goodbye. But Alisha was already heading down the path, eager to get home.