struggle to keep it upright. Giving in, Ellie rested it against his shoulder. That was even better. The sensation of his soft cotton shirt against her hot cheek was just blissful.
‘I hope I’m not heavy.’
‘You’re fine. We’re almost there. Mind your feet.’ He reached the downstairs hallway and maneuvered her with care out through the door.
Two minutes later they arrived at Ancram Street and the process was repeated in reverse. Ellie closed her eyes, remembering the time after their wedding when Jamie had ceremoniously carried her over the threshold of the Hammersmith flat. He’d pretended to buckle under her weight, she’d jabbed him in the ribs, and they’d ended up laughing so much he’d almost dropped her.
OK, don’t think about it. She didn’t have the energy to get emotional now. She was carried over a whole different class of threshold and up the stairs. Past the living room. Along the corridor and through the door at the end.
Twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door, then it was pushed open.
‘Only me.’ Geraldine came in, leaning on her walking stick. ‘Oh, my darling, you do look poorly. Zack asked me to come and check you over. That’s a pretty impressive bump you have on your head there.’
Ellie was wiped out. She allowed herself to be examined. Zack’s spare room was all pale green and white with a summery feel and billowing leaf-green curtains. The queen-sized bed was comfortable. Her temple throbbed. She said, ‘I’m being a real nuisance, aren’t I?’
‘Not your fault, is it? OK, all done. Nothing sinister. Just rest and keep up the fluids. You’ll be feeling better soon.’
‘Poor Zack, being landed with me.’
‘Some people like having someone to look after. It brings out the best in them. And it’s nice to see Zack like this.’ Geraldine waggled her eyebrows. ‘I always think a good bedside manner is a lovely attribute in a man.’
Chapter 39
Was this wrong? Should he have done it? Zack only knew that having Ellie stay here in this house made him feel complete. He’d canceled a couple of meetings this afternoon without even hesitating. He simply didn’t care. For so long he’d put all his efforts into the business, had practically devoted his life to it. But it no longer seemed important.
No, that wasn’t true. Work was still important. It just wasn’t his number one priority.
He knocked at the door and said, ‘OK to come in?’
Ellie was sitting up in bed, wearing a clean white T-shirt. Her face was pale and there were violet shadows beneath her eyes but to him she still looked lovely.
‘Hi. Thanks.’ She reached for the mug of tomato soup he’d brought up to her. ‘I can’t believe I woke up wanting soup.’ She smiled and took a sip. ‘That tastes fantastic. I must be over the worst.’
Which was good news, of course it was. But a small, selfish part of Zack didn’t want her to be over the worst. Until this evening Ellie had been so unwell it had made absolute sense to insist she come to stay. But as soon as she was better, she would return to her own flat. And Todd would be back from his conference in Glasgow. He hadn’t said so to Ellie, but personally he thought Todd could have made more of an effort; his girlfriend was ill and he wasn’t exactly inundating her with phone calls. I mean, did he not care how she was? Was he not even bothered? Would it kill him to send her some flowers?
Then again, maybe this was a hopeful sign, a hint that their relationship might not be going such great guns after all. He leaned over to clear empty water glasses from the bedside table and said casually, ‘Heard from Todd today?’
‘Oh yes. He called earlier.’ Ellie nodded and looked defensive. ‘And he’s been texting me.’ She indicated her mobile, lying face down on the duvet. ‘I’ve had loads of texts from him.’
Was she embarrassed by the lack of attention he’d been paying her? Excellent. ‘And he’s OK about you staying here?’
She nodded. ‘Absolutely. He’s grateful to you for looking after me.’
‘No problem. You can repay me when you’re better.’ Zack smiled briefly. ‘I’ve got another favor to ask you.’
‘Oh? Go on then, fire away.’ Ellie was definitely on the mend; she was drinking her soup with relish.
‘I’ve just had an email from Steph.’
‘Your sister, the one who lives in St Austell,’ said Ellie. ‘Twin girls.’
He felt absurdly touched that she’d remembered. ‘That’s the