cotton wool that she was unable to conjure him up. And even if she could, he wouldn’t be able to bring her another glass of water. The brutal reality was that she was here on her own. If she wanted anything, she was going to have to get it herself.
Ellie shuffled through to the kitchen, careful not to move her head, and filled a pint glass from the tap. There was a carton of orange juice in the fridge; fumbling to get it out, she pushed the bottle of olive oil to one side and watched helplessly, with the reaction times of a slug, as it overbalanced and toppled off the shelf. The bottle smashed on the white tiles and a great pool of extra virgin olive oil glinting with glass splinters spread across the floor.
Ellie hung on to the fridge door and gazed at the mess. You knew you were ill when you didn’t have the energy to say, ‘Fuck.’
Since there was no way she could clear it up, she took the pint of water and shuffled back to bed. Took two more painkillers. Closed her eyes and began to doze fitfully, her feverish brain conjuring up disjointed, unrelaxing dreams…
And now she was suffocating, being smothered by a big grizzly bear, and the phone was ringing, ringing, ringing…
OK, so it wasn’t a bear. Ellie freed herself from the depths of the duvet and managed to locate the phone on its fifth and final ring.
Dozily she croaked, ‘Hello?’
‘Did I wake you?’ It was Zack’s voice. ‘I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.’
‘Oh.’ Her throat felt as if it were being squeezed by a giant fist, she could barely swallow. Was he calling her to see if she was really ill or just faking it? He sounded concerned but maybe that was to catch her out. ‘Um, I don’t think I’ll be able to come into work tomorrow…’ She began to cough feebly, the pain slicing through her brain. ‘Ow, sorry…’
‘Don’t apologize. Of course you can’t work. Have you seen a doctor?’
‘No…’ Stupidly, she hadn’t yet got around to registering with a local doctor’s office. What were the chances of her old GP trekking over from Hammersmith?
‘Is there someone to look after you?’
Another fit of coughing seized her. ‘No.’
‘Where’s Todd?’
‘Away at a business conference.’
‘Can you get out of bed?’
‘Yes…’
‘Right. I’m coming over.’
‘No, no… I’ll be OK. You don’t want to catch this.’
Zack ignored her. ‘Is there anything you need?’
I need Jamie. She closed her eyes and whispered, ‘Painkillers. Strong ones. I’ve run out.’
‘I’ve got some. I’m on my way.’
Ellie rubbed a hand over her face; had she ever looked worse than this? Oh well, too ill to care, she swallowed with difficulty. ‘Thanks.’
The doorbell duly rang fifteen minutes later. She pressed the buzzer to let him in and collapsed back into bed.
***
Zack entered the flat and heard a voice call out weakly, ‘I’m in here.’
The door to her bedroom was open, the curtains drawn across. The faint smell of her perfume hung in the air. Huddled under the duvet, Ellie lay shivering and deathly pale. She waggled the fingers of her left hand at him and murmured, ‘Don’t come any closer.’
‘I’m never ill.’ Ignoring her, he approached the bed. ‘Have you been here on your own all day?’
She nodded fractionally and winced. ‘It’s only flu.’
‘I’ve brought Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Night Nurse.’ He placed them on the bedside table and picked up the empty glasses. ‘I’ll get you some fresh water. Or how about a cup of tea?’
Ellie shook her head. ‘Just water.’ She stiffened, remembering something. ‘From the bathroom. Don’t go into the kitchen, there’s a mess. I had an accident.’
Zack wanted to hold her, take her in his arms, scoop her up, and carry her home. Instead, he left the bedroom and pushed open the door to the kitchen. For a horrified split second, greeted by the sight of a golden puddle, he thought she’d had that kind of accident. Then he saw the broken glass and realized it was olive oil.
‘Here.’ He went back with a glass of water. ‘Now let’s sort out your pillows.’
Ellie rolled over to the side of the bed and he plumped up the flattened pillows. Then he helped her into a semisitting position so she could take two tablets and wash them down with water. It was the most physical contact they’d ever had and it felt incredible. Ellie was ill and he loved being able to help her. He even loved