“Why didn’t you tell me about this when you visited earlier, Ryan?” Keya asked.
Looking sheepish, he replied, “I knew Warren wanted to tell you and he was processing the suspects when Zivah and I visited. And I might have the morning off, but I’m handing out prizes at the school sports day tomorrow afternoon. I think I’ll go for a long bike ride in the morning. That’ll energise me,” Ryan said.
Warren gave him a sideways glance and muttered, “Not my idea of resting. But at least we have afternoon tea to look forward to at your cafe on Thursday, Keya. The inspector’s treating us.”
“I’m glad he kept his word, and I’m sorry I can’t join you. What about you, Sujin?” Keya asked.
“I’m working with Inspector Sue on a missing person’s case for head office in Gloucester. Inspector Unwin sends his regards, by the way.”
“Say hi, if you see him again.”
Sujin regarded her before asking, “He’s a good-looking guy, were you and he …”
“Oh, no! He did have his eye on Dotty for a while, but … well, that’s another story.”
On Wednesday, Dotty arrived as soon as afternoon visiting hours began.
The two of them chatted with Keya’s entertaining neighbour until a nurse arrived and said respectfully to the elderly lady, “Dr Lewis, are you ready to go?”
“I’ll miss her,” Keya said as an orderly stripped the sheets on the now empty bed next to her. “None of the other patients say or do anything.”
She looked at Dotty and asked, “How are things going with you? Did you visit the Lake District?”
“I did. It’s a long drive, but beautiful once you get there. And the project is very exciting. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to it but I think I can manage. I’m not in charge of all the furnishings, but I am sourcing quality items to create a luxury experience. And the owner wants different themes in different rooms. I’m putting together some thoughts at the moment, and then I’ll need to visit galleries and auction houses in London. Hopefully, I can also source some pieces locally. You can help me when you’ve recovered.”
“I’ve got enough to do. But I should have some time off from police work because of my condition. To tell you the truth, it’s a relief. Sujin is right. I need to take a break and reassess my priorities. I want to be fully involved in the cafe and deli, rather than relying on everyone else’s help. Things have run away with me lately.”
“And your arm?” Dotty asked, directly.
“The feeling is back at the top and I can still wriggle my fingers so the doctors are confident both feeling and movement will return, but it is going to take time.”
“And when will you be discharged?”
“I’m waiting to hear. Hopefully this evening or tomorrow morning. And then when I’ve sorted things out, I would like to visit the Lake District with you.”
“That’s fantastic. We’ll have such fun. I’ve pencilled it in for the second week in July, before the schools break up, but with enough time before then for me to agree to the themes and source some items.”
“Then I’ll be able to help Gilly with the outdoor cinema night. And how are the plans for Gilly’s party?”
“It’s all slotting into place. Everyone’s helping out, and I still don’t think Gilly knows about it. But I’ll be amazed if we keep it a secret until the night.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Keya was discharged from Cheltenham Hospital after lunch on Thursday.
She’d had to wait around for the doctor’s checks and the paperwork, and finally for Sujin to collect her.
“Sorry I’m late,” Sujin said as he approached her space in the ward. She was sitting in a chair beside her stripped hospital bed, wearing a simple floral shift-style dress which was perfect for the sunny weather outside.
The sun’s rays had begun heating up the ward, so the nurses had closed the blinds, but Keya longed to feel the sun on her face.
“Is that everything?” Sujin asked, eyeing her bags, which consisted of her overnight bag and several plastic carrier bags of additional clothes, Dotty’s cookbook, and some of the magazines she’d been given.
“Yes, but is it too much?”
“Not if you help.” Sujin lifted the strap of the overnight bag onto his shoulder and picked up two carrier bags.
Keya had already thanked the staff, but as she carried the third carrier bag out of the ward, she said a final goodbye to two of the nurses and followed Sujin along the hospital corridors.
As she climbed into Sujin’s car, she asked, “Are you taking me to the station or home?”
“Neither. I have a surprise for you first.”
Keya wasn’t sure if she wanted a surprise, but then she wasn’t certain what she wanted to do.
Home and her little cottage would be great for a while, but she needed to get stuck into something. Like taking back control of her cafe. She’d wanted to start cooking and baking again, but that wasn’t possible at the moment with her paralysed left arm.
“You’re very quiet. Is everything OK?” asked Sujin as he switched on the engine.
“I was thinking about what I should do now. What I actually can do. Because it’s not working in the kitchen at the cafe with my arm as it is. But equally, I don’t want to be stuck at home. And what am I going to do for transport?”
This was the first time Keya had considered the issue of driving. There was no way she could drive her Polo; it was a manual. She presumed if her arm didn’t get better … but she wasn’t going to think about that.
“Dotty and I have discussed it. I hope you don’t mind,” Sujin added as they drove through Cheltenham.
