A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Forty-Two
Cal sat in his study, gripping the glass. He
stared forward at nothing and took an automatic swig of the brandy. Rose was
alive, that he knew. Or at least she was when the doctor had her carried
upstairs. But he had been a while now and there was no news.
"What can be taking him so long?" he asked Lovejoy again.
"Would you like me to go and see Sir?" Lovejoy enquired.
Cal tapped the glass.
"Yes, er no. No. Wait here with me. I am sure he will come when he is
ready" The truth was Cal was scared to be alone.
The silence was deafening. Nothing but the tick of the clock. Cal turned to
look at Lovejoy, eyes wide with fear.
"It was an accident you know. It was. I didn't push her"
"I know Sir, I know" Lovejoy put a hand on Cal's shoulder. Cal was
still in shock. He must ensure that he didn't say too much to anyone at this
time.
"What can be keeping him" Cal looked at the clock. But he lost all
sense of time. He wasn't sure if it had just happened or happened hours ago. He
had remained in his study, door closed to the prying eyes of the servants. He
knew that the doctor had arrived, Lovejoy had kept him informed. But he had
been so long.
Cal had another drink. He could the thud of Rose hitting the stairs in his
mind. He could see her lying in a heap at the foot of the stairs. But she must
be all right. She must.
The sounds of voices and footsteps outside the door brought Cal back. He jumped
as a sharp knock came at the door. He looked at Lovejoy, his expression giving
him away. This was the moment of truth. Lovejoy went and opened the door a
little, opening it wider when he saw the doctor on the other side. He quickly
closed it behind him.
Doctor Henry put his bag down firmly on Cal's desk. He removed his glasses and
rubbed his eyes before placing them back. The suspense was almost too much.
"Well Doctor how is my wife?" Cal sounded more steeled then he felt.
The look of fear rather than concern on his face had not gone unnoticed by the
older man.
"Your wife is quite poorly Mr. Hockley. And I am very sorry to tell you
that she has lost the baby"
"The baby?" Cal stammered. "You mean Rose was pregnant?"
"Yes. You did not know?" The doctor seemed surprised.
"No Sir, I did not." Cal slumped a little and rubbed his head. He
looked back at the doctor, then away, his mind reeling from the alcohol and the
facts. Rose was alive, but not well. There was a baby, now there was no baby.
The only thing he had ever wanted a son and heir, gone. It had been an
accident. A stupid accident had cost him his child. He grieved more for the
baby than Rose.
"Then I am sorry" the doctor paused before continuing.
"She is unconscious at the moment. She has had quite a nasty bang on her
head, caused by hitting one of the steps. She is badly bruised but I cannot
find any broken bones but we cannot be sure until she wakes up. There is a
little bleeding but it is under control. Her maid is with her at the moment but
she must have constant care. If I may use your telephone, I will arrange for a
nurse to come immediately. I do not want her moved to a hospital yet."
"Yes, of course" Cal gestured to the phone on his desk, still rather
dazed. "Do you know when she will wake up?"
"That very much depends on when she is ready to wake up. It could be
hours; it could be a few days. However, I personally do not think it will be
too long. Now excuse me, I must make that call."
The doctor began to use the phone. Lovejoy came over.
"I am sorry to hear your news, Sir."
Cal nodded. "Thank you Lovejoy."
The doctor put the telephone down and turned back to Cal.
"I must ask Mr. Hockley, if you know what happened to your wife."
"We were, we were having, that is, Rose was being difficult. She ran from
me to the stairs and she just fell." Cal looked very fearful still, he
noted.
"I see. Well the nurse will be here soon. I will go back to Mrs. Hockley
now until she arrives. Would you like to see your wife?"
"No!" Cal almost shouted. Realizing he had to pull himself together
he added a little more calmly.
"No, I don't want to get in your way Doctor. I will see her later when she
is more comfortable"
"Very well" Doctor Henry replied. He picked up his bag and with a
curt nod, went away.
"A baby. Well." Cal shook his head sadly.
"I had better contact my Father. And Ruth of course. Oh what a mess this
all is."