“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.”
“Can’t you read?’ Dotty asked.
“Only magazines. Thank you for suggesting those, Gilly.”
“Oh, I’m so glad they’re useful. Maitri and I weren’t sure what to get, so we bought a selection.”
“I’m particularly enjoying the food ones, and I’ve found a couple of recipes I’d like to try out for the cafe.”
“But you mustn’t worry about that now,” Dotty insisted.
Keya looked at her and asked, “What work are you doing today?” She suspected she already knew the answer.
Dotty blushed and replied, “Aunt Beanie and I are working in the kitchen at the cafe. And Zivah’s working front of house. We’ve persuaded Millie and Ryan to both have a day off and run the Cotswold Way.”
“I’m pleased about that, but I hope you’ll be OK, and Zivah …”
“We saw her briefly this morning, and she seemed relieved to be having a break. I think baby Kaami is rather demanding.”
“He is,” Keya confirmed.
