Sebastian glanced up from the pile of paperwork on his desk as Bob, the caretaker, entered his study.

‘Right, Mr Frederiks, that pipe is sorted. Just have to nip down to the cellar and restart the boiler, then we’ll be on our way.’ Bob’s ruddy face was even redder than normal.

‘Good. Have you got the key?’

‘Yes, I do, thanks, Mr Frederiks.’

Bob left the room and walked down the back corridor. He unlocked the door to the cellar, switched on the light and clambered slowly down the uneven steps. The boys’ trunks were stored in here, the perfect place to keep them warm and dry. As he reached the bottom step, Bob sniffed the air.

It wasn’t overpowering, but he recognised the unpleasant aroma of decay.

‘Darned rat got in here, most probably,’ he mumbled to himself, his eyes sweeping the floor for tell-tale droppings. He looked behind the stack of trunks and could see nothing. He sniffed again. The smell was stronger here. Bending down, he used his nose to guide him. The smell seemed to be coming from one of the trunks, whose lid was not quite closed.

‘Don’t say the darned thing got in there. Poor lad’ll have a fit when he comes to open it.’

Bob seized the brass lock and threw back the lid.

Sebastian Frederiks jumped at his desk as he heard the sound of a man’s scream pierce the silence of the building.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jazz and Celestria looked up nervously as Mr Carlisle sat down opposite them in the family room.

‘Good news,’ he smiled, ‘Tom is responding to treatment. He’s not home and dry yet by any means, but the fluid is draining off his lungs, his blood pressure is better, which means his heart is pumping more efficiently than yesterday. I’d say the prognosis is far more positive today and if he continues to respond, then we will have him out of critical care in a couple of days’ time.’

Celestria squeezed her daughter’s hand and smiled in relief. ‘That’s wonderful news, isn’t it, darling?’

Jazz nodded. ‘Absolutely.’

‘Although I should warn you, if he does make it through, he will have to take excellent care of himself in the future. His heart muscle has been badly damaged by this second attack and considerably weakened. Therefore, as far as the long-term situation is concer—’

‘Please, let’s just get him through this and worry about the future when it happens,’ Celestria cut in, eager to let nothing spoil the good news.

‘Of course.’ The consultant nodded. ‘You’re very sensible to take it day by day.’

‘So he’s no longer in immediate danger?’ asked Jazz.

‘When patients are as sick as Tom, there are no guarantees, but he’s definitely moving in the right direction.’ Carlisle stood up. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

When he’d left the room, Jazz threw her arms around her mother. ‘Oh God, I was so scared we were going to lose him.’

‘Well, he’s still here and fighting.’ Celestria stroked her daughter’s hair. ‘And I think you’d better get back to Norfolk.’