Between The Sheets (26 page)

He smiled tenderly. 'No, you're not dead or dreaming. It is me. Hello, sis.'

'What are you doing here?'

'Just be glad I am,' he retorted. 'What happened?'

'I tripped and fell. I think I've hurt my wrist.'

'I'd say it's broken.'

'No it can't be,' she groaned. 'I've a book to finish.'

He shrugged and helped her sit up. 'I'm no doctor, but it looks broken to me. I'll take you to hospital and we'll soon find out.'

It was almost ten o'clock when they got home from the hospital and Dana was exhausted. The casualty doctor had confirmed she had a mild concussion and a broken wrist. Ed offered to help Dana undress for bed but she refused. However, after several unsuccessful attempts at pulling on her pyjamas, Dana called him back. When he had settled her in bed, Ed went downstairs, and returned minutes later with a mug of tea.

'I'd prefer a glass of wine,' she grumbled.

'If you hadn't been drinking, you wouldn't be where you are now,' her brother said mildly, as he tidied away her clothes.

'I'd only had one glass of wine,' Dana protested. 'I just wasn't looking where I was going and tripped. It was an accident.'

'Right.'

'It's true.'

He shrugged and sat down on the edge of her dressing table. 'None of my business. If you want to drink yourself into an early grave and live in total squalor, that's your business.'

'I'm not and I was planning a major clean-up tomorrow.'

He raised an eyebrow. 'Of course you were.'

Dana scowled at him. "I think you should go now.' Handing him back her mug, she tried to wriggle down under the covers.

'Go?'

She nodded. 'Thanks for your help, but I'll be fine now.'

Ed's lips twitched in amusement. 'Oh, okay, and how are you going to look after yourself?'

'I'll manage.'

'How will you wash your hair?' he demanded.

'I'll do it in the shower.'

'You can't take showers; you'll get your cast wet.'

'I'll take baths,' she said triumphantly.

He laughed. 'I'd love to see you climb in and out of a bath one-handed. And what about buttons? And zips? Cooking? Driving?'

Dana's eyes filled up. 'Oh, I can't believe this has happened to me now. I was just getting my act together.'

'Were you?'

'Yes!' she cried in frustration, tears spilling out onto her cheeks. 'And now this happens.' She raised her left arm and let it fall again, then howled in agony.

Ed sat down on the bed beside her and wiped her tears away with his thumb. 'It's going to be okay, Dana. I'll look after you.'

'Don't you have a job?'

'I'm a freelance photographer. I can work from anywhere.'

Dana looked up at him, her eyes suspicious. 'Why did you come here today?'

'I was in Dublin, and I thought it was about time I came to visit my little sister.'

'I've lived in Dublin nearly twenty years and you've never felt the need before.'

'Would I have been welcome?' Ed challenged.

'No. No, you wouldn't,' she agreed.

'I didn't think so. Now, would you like me to help you out to the bathroom before you settle down for the night?'

'I don't need help.' But as Dana tried to get up from the softness of the pillows, she realized that between the weight of the cast and the pain in her wrist, she was rendered almost helpless. 'I'm sure I'll be fine in the morning,' she said, allowing him to slide his arm around her waist to lift her.

'Of course you will.'

'You can stay in one of the guestrooms, but there are no beds made up—'

'Don't worry, I'll cope.' He sat her on the loo and discreetly left the room. When she flushed he came back in, to find her standing staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her brow had gone a strange shade of purple, there were enormous bags under her eyes and she was ghostly white. 'I had an appointment in the beauty salon tomorrow,' she said, sadly.

'I could take you,' he offered.

She shook her head and turned to go back to bed.

'You'll feel so much better in the morning. I could help you wash and dry your hair, if you like.' He settled her into bed and turned to leave. 'Ed?'

He paused in the doorway and looked back.

'Thanks.'

He smiled. 'You're welcome.'

Dana sat in the conservatory, her injured arm resting on a cushion. She couldn't believe how weak and fragile she felt, and that a broken wrist and a bad headache could incapacitate her to such a degree.

As promised, Ed had washed and dried her hair, and helped her dress. She'd hated that. And then realized that there was no way she could close her bra, never mind manage buttons. While she'd dithered, her brother had come to her rescue.

'I don't suppose you have anything as naff as a tracksuit, do you? Stretch pants and zip-up top, that sort of thing?'

'I do actually.' Dana had directed him to where he'd find the clothes and he brought them over to the bed.

'Underwear?' he'd asked.

She had winced. 'Get out. I'll manage that if it kills me.' And she had. Only it had taken ages to pull on some pants. She'd abandoned the idea of trying to do battle with a bra and instead put on a loose vest top. But even that had been a challenge. She had made her way slowly downstairs and silently handed her brother her tracksuit top. He had helped her into it and zipped it up with a smile, but had the good sense to say nothing.

It was then that Dana had noticed the gleaming kitchen. 'You didn't have to do this,' she'd told him.

Ed had just shrugged. 'It had to be done.'

'And I was going to do it today,' she'd insisted.

'Well, you can't do it now,' he'd pointed out. 'And it's going to be quite some time before you'll be able to.'

'I don't have to. I've a new cleaner starting on Monday. She's going to come in two hours a week.'

'That's good. Now why don't you go and sit down? I'll bring you some coffee and toast when I've finished here.'

Dana spent most of the day in the conservatory, reading, while Ed polished and scrubbed. When he went upstairs to change her bed, Dana sneaked into the kitchen for a glass of wine. But there was no bottle open and she was no match for the corkscrew. Almost crying in frustration, she abandoned the wine and had a whiskey instead. She'd have preferred brandy but she couldn't get the stopper out of the bottle.

She was feeling very sorry for herself when her phone beeped on the table in front of her. It was Ryan.

STILL FEEDING ME?

Lord, she had completely forgotten their date! She smiled slowly. This had worked out perfectly. Her house would be lovely and clean, she could still order in some delicious food, and Ryan would be on hand to open the wine. Of course, a night of passion was out of the question but it was probably no harm; it would keep him keen. It was also an excellent way to get rid of her brother.

She could pretend that Ryan was a permanent fixture in her life. That he would look after her. And so there was no reason for Ed to stay. She didn't want her brother around. It was way too late for reconciliation. He still hadn't given her a straight answer as to why he was here or why now. She was determined to find out, then he could go.

She quickly sent Ryan a text.

YES. C U AT 8.

Next she went out to the address book in the hall, got the number of the bistro and phoned in an order for two.

Ed walked in as she was draining her glass. He sniffed. 'Whiskey?'

'Can't stand the stuff, but I couldn't manage the corkscrew.'

He frowned. 'And you're so desperate for alcohol, you'd drink something you don't like?'

'Oh, shut up, Ed. I'm in pain here.'

'Judging by the number of empty bottles outside, you appear to be in constant pain.'

'It's none of your business,' she snapped.

'Nope, it isn't. Would you like me to open a bottle of wine for you?'

'Why not? Bring two glasses. Then you can tell me exactly why you're here.'

Dana sat up straighter in her chair, and moved the cushion under her arm to a more comfortable position. The effort made her wince.

'Do you want me to get you some paracetamol or something?'

She shook her head. "The wine will do the trick.'

He poured it and put hers on the table next to her right hand.

'Thanks. So. Tell me, Ed, why are you really here?'

He sat down and made himself comfortable before replying. 'Gus asked me to come.'

Dana stared at him dumbstruck. Gus had never even met her brother — what was he doing calling him now?

'He's worried about you,' Ed told her, as if she'd asked the question.

'He called you?' She could barely get the words out. How did Gus even know where to find Ed?

Her brother nodded. 'After he'd been to see you he rang to tell me he was concerned about you living alone. He wanted someone to stay with you until you were ... feeling better.'

'Oh my God. He thought I was going to top myself, didn't he? The big-headed bastard! He thinks he's so great, that I'm going to end it all just because he left. What an asshole. What did I ever see in him?' Dana knew the wobble in her voice probably gave away her true feelings, so she took refuge in her drink.

'He just thought you were a bit down and had been through a rough time — what with your housekeeper and PA leaving.'

'My PA didn't leave, I threw her out,' Dana corrected. 'And I've since re-hired her. And the only reason Iris left is because she's a narrow-minded old prude who thinks the sun shines out of Gus's arse.'

Ed threw back his head and laughed.

'How did Gus find you?' Dana asked.

'Your agent told him where I lived.'

She nodded. Of course Walter knew that. Though she was surprised he'd remembered.

'There are lots of people who obviously care about you,' Ed said with a smile.

Dana sighed. 'I think they're more concerned about the book.'

'I'm sure that's not true.'

'You don't understand. This book is supposed to launch a new label in Ireland and the UK. It needs to be good or else they'll choose a different author. And the publisher probably won't even renew my contract in the US.'

'I'm sure it will be fine.'

'I don't think so.'

'The break is going to slow you down/ he agreed, 'but you can still use your right hand.''

She shook her head. 'It's not that. I just can't seem to produce those sort of books any more. At least, not good ones.'

'You've been through a rough patch. It will come back. You've written eighteen bestsellers — that wasn't exactly a fluke.'

'How do you know that?' she asked, surprised.

He looked at her as if she was mad. You're my sister! I've followed your career every step of the way. And boasted about you on occasion!'

'Really?'

'Really.'

'Well, number nineteen definitely won't be a best-seller,' she said, her face sad.

'Because of Gus leaving?'

She nodded, swallowing back her tears. This wasn't supposed to be happening. She didn't want to spill her guts, and certainly not to Ed.

'Well, you were together a long time. But I'm sure it's just a temporary problem.'

'How are you sure?' she scoffed. 'You don't know anything about me.'

Ed inclined his head in acknowledgement. 'I meant that going through a break-up would probably have the same effect on anyone.'

Dana sipped her drink in silence.

'That won't help.' He nodded at the glass in her hand.

'On the contrary, I find it helps enormously.' Dana winced as she reached for the bottle.

'Let me.'

'Maybe I will take something.'

Immediately he was on his feet. 'What?'

'The doctor gave me some painkillers; they're on the bedside table upstairs.'

'Is it okay to take them with alcohol?'

'Just get them, Ed,' she said, tired. When he had gone she sank back into the cushions, cradling her arm. She couldn't believe that Gus had contacted Ed. Did that mean he still cared, or just that he had a guilty conscience? Probably the latter.

Ed returned with the capsules and a glass of water. She swallowed them with a mouthful of wine. 'Okay, okay, I get the message,' he said, and topped up his own glass.

'So what else did my darling husband have to say for himself?'

'Not much.'

'Did he tell you about my replacement?'

Ed's face changed. 'No, he didn't. Are you sure there is one?'

'Not only has their photograph been in the paper, I saw them together with my own eyes — bumped into them in a restaurant.'

'I'm sorry,' he said.

She shrugged and smiled. 'That's okay, I have a replacement of my own. He's coming over later.'

'I suppose I'd better make myself scarce, then.'

'Yes, please. But thanks for coming. It was very good of you.'

His eyes twinkled in amusement. 'I said I'd make myself scarce, Dana, not that I was leaving.'

'But I don't need you.'

'How will you manage alone?'

Dana widened her eyes and smiled. 'Who says I'll be alone?'

'You were when I found you yesterday,' he reminded her. 'Does this guy work for a living?'

'Yes, but—'

'Then you'll still be alone all day.'

'There's the cleaner—'

'Who'll be here for two hours a week. How will you make a sandwich, open the coffee jar, get your shopping or -' his eyes widened in mock horror — 'open a bottle of wine?'

She scowled at him. He made it sound awfully difficult, and her wrist did hurt like hell. But she could pay someone to come in and look after her. Still, the thought of a stranger helping her wasn't very appealing.

Ed stood up. 'I'm going to take a shower. As soon as your company arrives, I'll make myself scarce. But,' he added, adopting a bad Arnold Schwarzenegger accent and shaking his finger at her, 'I'll be back.'

When Ryan buzzed to be let in, he was taken aback to hear a male voice. 'Hello, I'm Ryan Vaughan. Dana is expecting me.'

'Come in.'

When he got out of the car, there was a man standing at the door waiting for him. 'I'm Ed, Dana's brother.'

Ryan put out his hand. 'Nice to meet you.'