Caroline’s head snapped up in shock. “Whatever for, child?”
“You’ve been having pain in your right leg, haven’t you?” The shock on her face told me everything. “You’ve been suffering for days and haven’t told anyone.”
“It’s just some swelling and muscular pain. I’ve been on my feet a lot lately, that’s all.”
I shook my head. “That’s not all, Caroline. You need to go to the hospital.”
Glancing over at Simon, he saw the way his mum’s hand was clasped on mine. “What’s wrong, Cassie?” he whispered.
“Your mother has been getting pain in her leg. It needs to be seen straight away. There’s time to waste,” I implored.
Simon was immediately out of his seat. “Why didn’t you say something before, Mum?”
“This is ridiculous. It’s just been a little sore for a few days. I’m sure it will calm down soon.”
Simon looked over at me and I shook my head. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“Simon, stop being silly. This is a dinner party and we have guests.”
Squeezing Caroline’s hand, I got her attention. “Your health and well-being are far more important than dinner. You have to see someone now, Caroline. Otherwise, the pain will only get worse. Please do it. For me.”
Her eyes searched mine, then Simon’s. “But how…?”
“She found Molly, Mum.”
Caroline looked at Simon and saw his meaning. I could see the confusion coursing through her, but she stood with a nod. “Okay. I’ll go.”
Sighing, I got up and turned to Simon. “Can Stephen and I follow you to the hospital?”
Simon smiled and nodded. “Absolutely.”
“I don’t understand,” Sharice said, bewildered.
“I’ll explain it to you later. For now, I just want to get Mum to the hospital.”
After a flurry of activity, we were on our way to the hospital. Once we walked into the ER, Caroline was quickly ushered in to see the triage nurse, who admitted her straight away. An ultrasound was organized and blood was taken, but I already knew what the results would be.
Finally, a doctor came out to speak with us. “Mr. Bradley?”
“Yes,” both Simon and Desmond said together.
“Mrs. Bradley has Deep Vein Thrombosis. We’ve managed to locate it in her calf. She will need to take anti-coagulants for a few weeks to reduce the blood clot, so I want to start her on a course of Heparin, which will mean a short stay in the hospital. However, if all goes well, she will be able to leave in less than two weeks.”
“Is she going to be okay?”
“It was caught early, so the success rate is better. I’ve set up the Heparin intravenously so she’s all settled in if you want to go and see her.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome,” he answered, smiling as he walked away.
A nurse soon joined us and we followed her to Caroline’s room. As we opened the door, she smiled brightly and threw her arms open for me. “My beacon of light, my guardian angel. I need to give you a hug.”
Smiling, I walked over to her bed and gracefully accepted her hug. I was warming to Simon’s mother by the minute.
“So, you have a gift, Cassie.” She saw my shocked expression and wiggled her finger at me. “It wasn’t hard to work out after everything you’ve done. Simon didn’t divulge your secret, but I knew there must have been something. You were just too good to be true.”
Sitting on the bed beside her, I smiled. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Feeling Simon’s hand on my shoulder, I looked up at him. “I don’t know how many times you’re going to save this family, Cassie. But, as always, thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Simon.”
“You have quite the girl,” Blake said to Simeon.
Simeon smiled over at me. “Yes, I do.”
I timidly smiled back. If he was Stephen, I wouldn’t have even thought twice about that comment. In fact, I would have been beaming.
“So, this psychic shit… How does it work?” Blake continued.
“Blake,” Caroline scolded. “Watch your manners.”
He hung his head in shame. “Sorry, Mama Caroline.”
I almost wanted to laugh. In fact, I would have if we weren’t in the hospital. Just the thought that cocky Blake could be reduced to a cowering little boy by the voice of his aunt almost had the giggles surfacing.
“I have to touch someone’s hand to see it.” I looked over at Caroline and smiled.
“I know you must not like dealing with this every day, but I’m glad I touched your hand.”