I didn’t.

34

ANNIE

We had begun a very simple routine of sorts. I would wake early as I always did and make tea, orange juice and toast and take it to Daisy’s room. She was getting the five-star treatment here, but I did it because it was innate. Hospitality was my forte.

A letter had arrived for Daisy yesterday, she hadn’t said what it was but I was pretty sure I knew it was about the inquest. I was just waiting for her to confirm it.

Sure enough, as I entered the room this morning, filling the room with the fragrance of Earl Grey tea, Daisy was already sat up in bed looking at the letter again as though she hadn’t put it down since it arrived. I observed her for a few moments whilst she stared at the letter. Her hair was long and tied back. Entering the third trimester now she was, as they say, blooming. My gut tightened at the sight of her, at her glowing aura brought on by her fertility.

I sniffed casually and walked to the bed, laying the tray to the side of her, eager to get a glimpse of what had taken Daisy’s attention.

‘It’s the inquest date, for the verdict for Eve’s death.’

It seemed she was finally willing to share as she waved the piece of paper about.

‘Oh, okay, dear.’ I feigned nonchalance.

‘I’m surprised it has come around this quickly. I thought it would be a few more months yet.’

‘Well, sometimes these things are a lot quicker.’

‘Well yes, I suppose. Everyone seems to have got their shit together on this occasion.’

I winced at her language. ‘So will you go? To the hearing?’ I took an empty glass from the bedside table my hands clutched it tightly enough so the tips of my fingers began to turn white.

‘Yes, of course.’

I stood and watched intently as Daisy grappled for her phone before it slipped through her fingers and landed next to the bed. I eyed her for a few more seconds and then bent down slowly. Daisy lifted her head to look at me.

‘I feel so clumsy at the moment.’ She took the phone ‘I’m just going to text Patrick, check he has the same letter.’ I heard Daisy let out a loud sigh. ‘I wish I had more energy. Do you think I have that… that acute pregnancy sickness? I have felt tired for months now. I might need to be admitted to hospital?’ Panic was apparent in Daisy’s voice.

‘Don’t be silly Daisy,’ I scolded. ‘It’s not forever, is it? Once that baby is out you’ll be fit as a fiddle and off and about again. I suppose you’ll be back to work and all sorts. You’re not the stay at home type are you?’

‘I… I well I hadn’t thought about it really.’

‘No, well there you are then.’

‘At the moment I need to get everything into perspective, it will be easier once Ben is back,’ Daisy began. ‘Even after the way he has been, well, after everything that has happened. Even if, you know you are right and Ben has been scared off, I just can’t have this child growing up not knowing anything about their father, the way Ben did.’