The House Guest - Mark Edwards Page 0,33

the exit, she assumed – and there was another door on the other side of the room, most likely a bathroom.

Ruth tried to get out of the bed but pain ripped through her again, pinning her to the mattress. She closed her eyes and waited for the nausea to pass.

‘Here,’ Eden said. ‘Have another drink.’

‘No. Not until you tell me where we are. What the hell is going on? Am I in hospital?’

‘No. But we’re looking after you.’

A beat. ‘We?’

‘That’s right.’

She must mean herself and Adam, Ruth thought. There was no other explanation. ‘Is Adam here?’

‘Not right now. You really should drink some water. It’ll help take the taste out of your mouth.’

‘Okay. Thank you.’ She took another sip from the proffered glass, then watched as Eden placed it gently on the bedside table. There was something different about Eden. The way she moved, her voice – she seemed softer, more elegant. She was wearing a brightly coloured shift dress, patterned with pink and yellow flowers, with a baggy cardigan over the top. It didn’t suit her.

Ruth looked down at herself. She was wearing cotton pyjamas. Like the walls of the room and the bedding, they were white.

She felt herself being pulled back towards sleep. She tried to speak, to ask Eden again what time it was – she had this terrible feeling she was supposed to be somewhere – and where her boyfriend was, but her mouth had stopped working.

She gave in and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, Eden was sitting on a chair beside the bed, watching her.

‘You’re back,’ Eden said, with that soft smile. ‘Do you feel any better?’

Ruth tried to push herself upright, and this time she was able to do it without quite as much pain, though her ribs were still sore and she winced as she sat up.

Eden passed her the water and she sipped at it again, worried she would be sick if she drank too much.

And then panic jolted through her.

‘What time is it?’ she demanded. She looked around for her phone, the one Eden had given her, but there was no sign of it. In fact, there was no sign of any of her stuff.

‘It’s just after three,’ Eden said.

‘What? Oh Jesus, I’m missing it. Sally’s going to go crazy. She’ll fire me.’

She pushed the covers aside and tried to get out of bed. This time the pain made her gasp. It was in her thighs, her ribs, even around her collarbone. Eden jumped to her feet and gently helped her lie down again, pulling the sheets back over her. Sweat had broken out on Ruth’s forehead.

Eden dabbed at it with a tissue. ‘I told you, you need to rest.’

‘But my rehearsal—’

‘I think you misunderstood. It’s three on Sunday. Your rehearsal was yesterday.’

Ruth stared at her. Sunday? She’d lost an entire day and a half? This couldn’t be happening.

‘It’s okay, Ruth. It’s all been taken care of.’

She turned her face towards Eden. She was too weak, in too much pain, to fight. ‘I don’t understand.’

Eden lay a warm hand on her arm. ‘Try not to worry, Ruth. It will all become clear. From this point on, everything’s going to be all right.’

Chapter 16

‘What do you mean?’ Ruth struggled to sit up again, but couldn’t manage it.

Eden stroked her forehead. ‘You don’t remember?’

‘No.’ Ruth’s voice was hoarse; barely more than a whisper. ‘I can’t remember anything, just you and me and Adam drinking. We went out in the rain. I was wet. I remember talking. Listening to you. Everything else is . . . blank.’

She had never been a big drinker, had never experienced the blackouts her friends boasted of after a big night. Ruth had always hated being out of control, found the very notion terrifying.

‘What happened?’

‘I think we should talk about it when you feel better. When you’re stronger.’

Eden’s eyes shone with kindness and Ruth felt a rush of gratitude that she was here, looking after her. She reached out from beneath the covers, found Eden’s hand and squeezed it.

‘I’m scared,’ Ruth said.

‘It’s okay. There’s no need to be.’ She squeezed Ruth’s hand back. ‘Are you hungry? Do you think you could eat some soup?’

The very mention of food made Ruth’s stomach clench. ‘No. I couldn’t.’

‘Okay. A little later. In the meantime, you rest. If you need anything, I’ll be right here.’

Ruth wanted to ask questions. If she’d missed the rehearsal, she needed to call Sally. Speak to her agent. Find out where Adam was and why he