“I’m only saying what everyone else thinks. And I’m here, aren’t I? Mimi had to go back to her store. The wharf is open now. It’s above freezing, so there’s no ice and it’s safe to walk there. I know you want to get back to your shop so I raced home to get you something to wear.”

“That’s so thoughtful, Harriet. I hadn’t even considered how I would dress to leave.”

“Well, here. You can wear this while I drive you to your house for your own clothes. Try this tunic with the tights. It might work.”

Christina slid off the bed, peeled off the hospital robe and johnny and slipped the tunic over her head. It fit, but oddly. Harriet had a voluptuous figure, and Christina was more slender and small-boned. The dress sagged around the bosom and hips. When she pulled on the tights, they drooped and crinkled. The two women grinned at each other.

“I don’t have any shoes,” Christina said. She pointed to her soggy red boots that someone had deposited beneath a chair. “Those were so expensive and they’re ruined.”

“Nonsense,” Harriet said briskly. “Stuff them with newspaper and let them dry. They’ll be fine.”

“I’ll try.” At the moment, Christina had little hope for anything being fine. She looked down at her feet wrapped in the hospital’s paper slippers. “I can’t walk in these.”

“I’ll pull the car right up to the door and then I’ll drive you home. You can tolerate it that far. Then I’ll drive you in to work.”

Christina teared up again. Her emotions were all over the place. “You’re so nice, Harriet.”

Harriet snorted. “You’re just in shock. Here, I brought you one of my coats.” With a few brisk movements, Harriet put Christina’s sodden clothes into a large clear trash bag. “Okay? Good to go?”

“My hair…” Christina pushed it away from her face. “It must look like a bird’s nest.”

“I’ve seen it look worse,” Harriet said with a wicked grin. “Let’s go.”

The new hospital was enormous, and for a few minutes, they had to concentrate on finding their way out. Finally they arrived at the front desk. Harriet went off to get her car while Christina checked out, and suddenly Christina was sitting in Harriet’s slightly beaten-up MG convertible. It was Harriet’s pride and joy, and a sign to everyone that she was classy, but it was so low to the ground Christina thought they might drive right under some of the trucks in front of them.