“I was so worried about you. And I thought it was my fault for making you try those chutneys and piccalilli, but Sujin assures me they aren’t to blame. But what is, do you think?”
“I don’t know. I just hope it isn’t anything from the cafe.”
Maitri’s eyes widened. “Or we could be closed down.”
“Don’t say that. I’m sure it’s nothing to do with our food.” Keya crossed the fingers of her right hand, hoping she was right.
Maitri reached into her bag and removed a tablet, a packet of biscuits, and several varieties of crisps together with some chocolate brownies. “These should keep you going.”
“Thanks. They’re a great improvement on the food in here. But you better hide them in my cupboard in case they’re not allowed.”
As Maitri hid the goodies she’d brought, Keya added, “And that’s not my tablet.”
“No, it’s mine and I’ve uploaded some programmes for you to watch. If you can connect to the Wi-Fi in here, then you’ll be able to watch others too.”
“Thank you. And for the magazines. That was a brilliant idea, as I can’t hold a book.”
Maitri smiled and admitted, “It was Gilly’s idea. She was desperate to visit earlier, but Aunt Beanie told her to wait and let you have time with Amma and Appa. But she said she’ll come tomorrow.” Maitri paused before enquiring, “How long do you think they’ll keep you in?”
“I’m not sure. They said they wanted to make sure there aren’t any additional complications.”
Maitri regarded her sympathetically and said, “I suppose you’re in the right place. Even if the food isn’t great.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Keya and Maitri continued to chat until Sujin arrived carrying a brown paper bag with the aroma of coconut, cardamom, and other Indian spices.
“I’ve heard the food isn’t great in here, so I brought you a very mild coconut curry. The nurse said it would be OK, but you can’t eat it in the ward.”
“Time to get up,” Keya said cheerfully.
“And I should head home. Amma and Appa will want an update.” Maitri gave Keya a quick hug before she left.
Sujin moved the portable table out of the way and pulled back the sheets, so Keya could swing her legs out of the bed and stand up. He led her to a breakout area along the corridor which looked out over the car park and beyond it the lido, Cheltenham’s open air swimming pool.
Sujin had also brought food for himself, so Keya didn’t feel guilty as she tucked into her tasty curry. This would keep her going until the morning.
“Any news?” Keya asked between mouthfuls.
“I visited Theo Watson, and he was appalled to hear you were ill. I took samples of all the food you used to make the omelettes and the hot sauce. I hope you don’t mind, but I went to your house with Maitri and removed samples from your fridge to test, including the leftover coleslaw.”
“Oh, I hope it’s not that,” Keya protested.
“So do I. But we’ll have to wait until tomorrow for all the results.”
They finished their meal and Keya sat back, full and satisfied. “That was lovely, thank you.”
Sujin looked at her before asking, “What are you going to do when you’re discharged?”
“Finish the Daisy Bentham case. And the cafe and deli are getting busier, and there’s Gilly’s party at the end of the month, and then the open-air cinema.”
Sujin held up both hands. “Whoa. Slow down. I meant, how are you going to recover and recuperate?”
“Recuperate?” Keya asked in a bemused voice. “I’ll be fine. I just need to know what happened to Daisy.”
“And then there’ll be another Daisy, or Duncan, or Donna. What about giving yourself a break? Even if you don’t like to admit it, your body suffered a severe bout of poisoning, and it does need to rest and recover. And you can’t maintain the pace you’ve been running around at.”
Keya wasn’t sure how to reply. This was yet another side to Sujin she hadn’t seen before. A firm, sensible, but perceptive and persuasive side.
“You’re right,” she muttered. “But there’s always so much to do. And it’s my responsibility to look after the Cotswolds. That’s my role. And then there’s the cafe. I rely on other people too much as it is.”
“Then perhaps you need to re-think your priorities.”
“You sound like my mum.”
Keya stared out of the window. She enjoyed being busy, and she didn’t want to give up her cafe. But she knew she wasn’t involved with it in the hands-on way she’d thought she would be.
Her rural engagement role was interesting, and she enjoyed meeting farmers, visiting schools, and helping at community functions, but she knew she’d never stop rural crime. Nobody could without more resources and more people in the role other than just her.
Perhaps she should concentrate on that and forget about the major crimes Inspector Evan’s team dealt with, but they were the ones that gave her the most satisfaction.
“Keya?” Sujin prompted.
“I was just thinking through what you said. I know I do a lot, but I’m not sure what I should give up, if anything.”
“You don’t need to make any long-term decisions now,” Sujin reasoned. “Although I think, while you have the time and space, you should consider what you want your life to look like over the next few years.” He regarded her kindly, and she wasn’t sure if she saw something else in his expression. Hope perhaps?
“But it’s your recovery after you leave hospital I’m concerned about for now. I really don’t think you should charge straight back into work of any kind. Since our discussion at The Swan Hotel, have you thought any more about a holiday?”
Keya shook her head.
Sujin placed his hand on her right one and murmured, “I really think you should.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Keya’s first visitors on Sunday, after she’d completed an early morning session of physiotherapy with Laura, were Dotty, Gilly, and Aunt Beanie.
“We’re not really supposed to visit out of hours, but we persuaded the duty nurse to let us see you, as we’ve all got to get to work,” Aunt Beanie greeted her.
“Which is true,” Gilly agreed.
“I really wanted to come yesterday,” a worried-looking Dotty said. “But Aunt Beanie said we should let your family see you.”
“You’re here now, and it’s great to see you all and you’ll brighten up what would otherwise be a dull Sunday morning.”
