One Moment At Sunrise

by Karen Aldous

  Evie kept her voice light despite her heartbeat banging against her ribs. She led her daughter to a large boulder several yards back and unbridled the rucksack from her shoulders. Anger and despair poked away inside her, stinging her eyes. How could Seb be so bloody thoughtless? If he had any consideration whatsoever, he would have arranged to have them picked up, or at least got a message out to her. This whole idea was insane. She should have insisted they go back with him. She was losing track of reality, what sort of risk was she putting Charlotte in? She pulled the picnic rug from her bag.

  ‘Well, poppet. Me and your father will be having serious words but for now, we are going to enjoy our lunch and hope this mist burns off fast.’

  She spread the rug out over the ground and placed the bag in the middle before dropping to her knees. Charlotte was still keen to explore however and began racing towards the edge. Like a bullet, Evie dived across the rug and grabbed her daughter’s trouser leg.

  ‘Charlotte. No!’ she screamed, hauling her back and onto her face. Evie’s heart pummelled.

  Startled, Charlotte began to cry.

  ‘Darling, listen to Mummy.’ Evie straightened up and sat cross-legged, putting the child on her knee. She wiped a tear from her daughter’s face and turned her chin towards her, meeting her eyes. ‘You mustn’t run off. Are you listening? It’s important.’

  Charlotte nodded a sulky face.

  Evie pointed to the ledge. ‘Just over there is a very, very dangerous cliff. If you walk over there, you will drop down a long, long way, and you’ll never see Mummy again. We must stay sitting on the rug until the mist clears and we finish our lunch. Mummy will tell you when we can go. Do you understand?’

  Charlotte clasped her ear, her head tilting. ‘Yesth, Mummy.’ Evie breathed out an enormous sigh.

  ‘Good girl. Ok. Let’s find the drinks and sandwiches. We have lovely tuna,’ she said putting her hand into the rucksack and pulling out first some serviettes, then the sliced French stick. She placed them on the rug, opening the bag. Charlotte took one of each, looked up at Evie with a big cheerful smile and took a bite from her roll.

  Evie’s heart fluttered. ‘You deserve so much more, my sweet pea. You really do.’

  Charlotte swung her hand to Evie’s chest. ‘You do, Mummy.’

  Evie wanted to cry. This little girl didn’t understand, of course she didn’t.

  By the time they returned to the villa, Evie and Charlotte were bedraggled and sopping with sweat, so headed straight for the pool; Evie stripping down to her underwear, Charlotte in just a vest. They leaped in, Evie’s skin sizzling as the water washed over her. The mist had taken a long time to clear but when the sun had reappeared, it came with such vigour, Evie guessed it must have reached almost forty degrees and had been grateful for the intermittent shade of the trees. Now, she was so relieved to be back at the villa, however deflated she felt about their mission. The last two hours, particularly, climbing up and traversing the hill, with a sleeping Charlotte over her shoulder, had zapped her of so much energy.

  Once showered, they ambled into the kitchen. Evie made iced lemon drinks and left Charlotte playing with her toys whilst she rummaged the fridge for their tea. Even supplies of fresh produce had dwindled.

  ‘Ok, sweet pea, we have an onion and half a pepper. What would you like?’

  She opened the freezer and rifled through numerous packs of ready meals.

  ‘Oh, here’s once you’ll like poppet, we’re in luck, we have a fish pie.’

  ‘Pish pie.’ Charlotte said.

  ‘Well unless your daddy gets his backside in gear, it’s going to be ready meals.’

  Preparing the food, Evie instantly tensed thinking about Seb. You just don’t forget you’ve left your family on an island. She sighed, racking her brain. His long absence was becoming even more mysterious.

  ‘Locked up. Your daddy should be locked up for leaving us here.’ She could only guess he had a reason.

  ‘Perhaps he thinks I’ve…’

  Maybe he was punishing her for something or… she held her knife mid-air and wiped the onion tears from her eyes.

  ‘Oh, God! The stalker’s a private detective.’ Why hadn’t she guessed? That must be it. Seb thinks I’m’ having an affair with Ben! That made more sense. The stalker was reporting to Seb. God, why didn’t she see that?

  ‘Silly Mummy. Well, he’s got his facts all wrong. Mummy hasn’t done anything wrong. Well apart from two mornings’ work. Oh poppet, if we ever get off this island, things are going to change. We’ll find a way to manage without you, Seb Wilde. Who needs your… urgggh.’ She threw the knife into the sink, and slunk her body down to the floor. Curling up, she buried her head in her knees. I’ve not even done anything wrong! You really are bloody control freak. A fucking freak! She screamed silently into her hands repeatedly, expelling the frustration.

  ‘Silly Mummy.’ Charlotte was beside her. ‘Boo,’ she said, patting her hands to her mother’s.

  Evie opened her hands. ‘Boo.’ She snorted, her heart wrenching, and composed herself. ‘Come here sweetheart,’ she said, pulling Charlotte to her chest, stroking her hair and kissing it. ‘Your daddy’s not a star, sweetheart. He’s a monster.’ A self-righteous, self-indulgent, self-obsessed, lying, controlling monster who didn’t give a damn, and wasn’t going to have any further opportunity to control her.

  ‘I’d better get your dinner cooked,’ she said, passing her daughter a book. ‘Let that pussycat know, it’s fish pie for tea. Won’t be too long.’

  As she continued with the dinner, Evie launched into a plan. If she could get to the cove and small beach she’d spotted along the coast, maybe, just maybe, there would be someone mooring up close by, or passing. Yes, it was a long shot, but she had to get them home. Who knew how long he intended to leave them.

  ‘Your dinner is almost ready, sweetheart. Shall we wash your hands?’ she said, peering down at Charlotte, who was sitting on the floor chatting to a grey kitten in a book. Evie smiled.

  Charlotte toddled to her with her book. ‘Pussycat want dinner.’

  ‘Put him on your chair, he can share yours. Quickly, let’s wash before the pie gets cold.’ She ushered Charlotte to the cloakroom.

  Once Charlotte was in the chair, Evie served the meal, chopping up Charlotte’s fish pie before serving the rice and veg mix. She laid it in front of her daughter with her spoon and fork, and served her own plate before pouring a small rosé wine.

  ‘Well, what a day, poppet,’ she said, settling into a chair beside her daughter. ‘You did so well on our picnic. Mummy is very proud of you walking all that way and back.’

  Charlotte puckered her lips in a coy manner, then lifted a spoon of pie to her mouth and then one to the kitten in the book.

  Shuffling a fork of her own food into her mouth, Evie observed Charlotte’s world. Was that how children learnt to share when there were no other children around to share with?

  Charlotte’s eyes watered as she blinked up at her mother.

  ‘Oh, are those onions a little strong?’ Evie chuckled at the expression on Charlotte’s face. She took a mouthful of her own. ‘Mmm, lovely. Though not that strong.’

  ‘Pussycat like pish.’

  ‘I’m sure he does. Cats love fish. You eat some too.’

  Charlotte scooped another mouthful into her mouth and Evie watched as her nose scrunched and her lips jarred. Charlotte spat out a lump of fish and then dribbled on to her plate, her head rocking side to side.

  ‘Don’t like, Mummy.’

  ‘Ok, leave that. It is a bit big.’ Evie took a baby wipe from the pack and dabbed her daughter’s lips and chin, cleaning away the saliva. ‘Eat up your pie, look crunchy breadcrumbs, you like those.’ She scraped the lump into the wet wipe. They continued eating and Charlotte appeared to be enjoying her fish, but Evie wasn’t sure if she had rubbed her daughter’s face a little hard as little red marks stained her chin. As they ate, Charlotte still didn’t seem comfortable, her e
yes were looking rather red and her nose was running.

  Finishing her plate, Evie sipped her lemon and peered again at Charlotte. Something wasn’t right. Several more red dashes had emerged around her nose and under her eyes. Even Charlotte’s breathing seemed chesty.

  ‘Oh, poppet, what’s the matter? Oh no… Oh, God, what do I do? Nuts… Oh, God, what are the symptoms, we haven’t brought your adrenaline pen.’ Calm. Stay calm. ‘Doctor. How do I contact a doctor? Oh f… you Seb!’ And what… what have I given you? Oh, Evie, what have you done? You stupid cow? Please, please, let her be ok. ‘Ah, water, should I give water? Oh, my baby, I don’t know what to do. Your pen was on the shelf and I was going to put it in before we left. First aid kit?’ Evie whisked Charlotte from her chair and rocketed to the cloakroom. There was a whole cupboard full in there, but what? What did she need? She opened the doors and clawed at every item, scanning each as she flicked it to the floor.

  ‘No, no, no… Mummy will find something, poppet, I’ll find something.’ She kissed Charlotte’s head and touched the swollen flesh on her daughter’s face. Charlotte wheezed. Evie whispered, ‘Don’t, please no, not an anaphylactic shock, or whatever they are called.’ Her hand reached back to the cabinet whilst her eyes scanned its contents. Charlotte’s breathing thickened.

  Chapter 28

  A noise clapped in the distance. So intent on her task, Evie didn’t register it, but within seconds a loud thumping sound increased. She picked up a packet. Standing still, with Charlotte struggling for breath, she listened. ‘Oh, quick, something’s coming. I can wave. I must get their attention.’

  She ran out of the kitchen and out to the terrace with Charlotte on her hip. The earlier mist had lifted. The monstrous vehicle thundered across the sky and was heading her way. She waved her spare arm with every ounce and every muscle she had.

  ‘Help,’ she screamed. ‘Help.’

  Had they seen her? She continued waving.

  The pilot waved back then pointed to the rear of the villa.

  ‘Oh, poppet, please. Please, you must hold out.’ She dashed from the terrace, through the villa and out to the hall, fumbling with the latch. ‘Please. You’ll be fine, poppet. We’ll get you to hospital, I promise.’ She rushed out to the path and up the ramp; seeing the helicopter, she ran towards it. The force of the vortex unsteadied her as she fought to move forward. Waving her hand, she called out. ‘Stay there. We need to go. Stay there,’ she called again, blinking her eyes in the wind and ducking as she approached. A man, not Seb, stepped out, his hair blowing violently as he opened the door behind him. She ran up with Charlotte feeling heavy in her arms. He turned and reached out for the child. Evie’s heart stopped.

  ‘Ben,’ she screamed in disbelief. ‘Quick, to a hospital!’ she shouted.

  Ben took one look at the child and held out his arms and they raced back into the vehicle. Handing Charlotte over, she jumped up into the craft and knelt down to retrieve her in her arms then, sliding into a seat, secured her comfortably in her lap. Ben climbed in and closed the door.

  ‘Your belt.’ He leant over and pulled it across them and, after a manoeuvre around Charlotte, fastened it. ‘You ok? What’s happened?’

  Still shouting, she said, ‘She needs hospital, anaphylactic shock, I think. I don’t know. Maybe nuts were in the dinner, or perhaps it was the fish. Please hurry. Look at her face.’

  Ben grabbed headphones and spoke to the pilot. The pilot said something in return and immediately pushed a button.

  ‘He is going to notify emergency services and get permission to land at the hospital. Don’t worry, we’ll get her there one way or another.’

  Evie shuffled her daughter, unsure of her position. ‘Hold on Charlotte, please hold on,’ she sniffed and closed her eyes, praying. Then she turned to Ben. ‘Well thank God you’re here… but how? Why were you…?’

  ‘Thank Matthieu here, the pilot. I’ll explain later.’

  She stroked Charlotte’s face and bent her head to kiss her. ‘Hold on poppet. We’re going to get help.’ She turned to Ben. ‘How long will it take?’

  ‘Not too long, a few minutes.’

  Her heart sank. ‘Can’t we go quicker?’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll go as fast as he can.’

  She held up the packet from the medicine cupboard.

  Ben read the bottle. ‘I wouldn’t. She is very young, but you have to do what you feel is right. Have you ever had to treat a child for an allergy before?’

  Evie took in a deep breath. ‘Not really, I haven’t a clue. She had a rash when she was young and the doctor said it could be a nut allergy and gave me an adrenaline pen. I would have packed it at the last minute but… I didn’t’

  Just then, Charlotte belched and a watery vomit shot down onto Evie’s legs and shorts.

  ‘Oh, sweet pea, not far now.’

  Ben’s hand shot out to a cloth on the floor and mopped the side of Evie’s leg, then he handed her the cloth.

  ‘We are so close. As a precaution, I wouldn’t in case they can’t treat her.’

  ‘No, you could be right, best not. God, I’m so scared.’ Sensing her breath was shortening, Evie sat Charlotte up a little, in the hope of stretching out her lungs. ‘There’s a good girl. Take it easy. Be strong sweetheart, be brave. Mummy needs you to keep breathing in and out, little one, if you can.’ Be brave, be strong, please don’t let go. All she could do was pray.

  Ben turned his head. ‘The pilot says we’re almost there.’

  ‘Oh good. Tell them to have adrenaline ready. Do they know we’re coming’ Evie jolted as the helicopter swung round. The craft sunk slowly down and as she peered down, a small cluster of people in white, and a trolley stretcher, were waiting.

  ‘Oh, they’re waiting. Oh, Charlotte, we’re there. Hold on, keep breathing my darling.’

  The door was barely opened when one of the men in white took Charlotte from her arms. Evie jumped behind him.

  ‘Anaphylactic, I think,’ she shouted. ‘Please, please, Charlotte.’

  Keeping her propped against his torso, he sat Charlotte on the trolley and another medic or doctor, Evie didn’t know, swiftly shot a needle into Charlotte’s thigh, holding it there for several seconds. Evie waited for a wail, but her daughter lay still, lifeless. Evie’s eyes stung. She gripped her forehead. ‘No Charlotte, no, we’re nearly there.’ An arm went around her shoulder. Ben’s arm.

  The first man expertly placed a mask over Charlotte’s tiny head. Vomit rose in Evie’s throat. ‘She’s just been sick,’ she added, trying to keep up as they began wheeling the trolley off at running pace. Ben squeezed her arm.

  A nurse came up and took her hand. ‘Wait with me, the doctors will take care of her.’

  ‘No, I can’t leave her. Please, I must be with her.’

  The doctor turned and nodded, and the nurse kept her hand. ‘We must ask you to sign papers.’ They scurried behind.

  ‘Fine, but let me be with her. I can’t leave her.’ Their pace increased again as they raced across a road and into double doors. They followed the trolley to the right and into an emergency treatment room. The nurse handed her the papers for signature. She signed on the line by the cross. She didn’t need to read them. They couldn’t have done anything better than act quickly as they did. Hammering her lip with her knuckles she glanced from her daughter and tried to read the doctor’s face.

  ‘She should respond in a few minutes.’ The masked doctor told her as he felt Charlotte’s pulse. ‘Fluids,’ he commanded as a nurse wheeled over a drip.

  ‘Charlotte, please, pleeease, pleeeeease!’ Tears streamed down her face.

  Evie watched as a doctor wiped Charlotte’s arm with an antiseptic wipe and after a little prodding, inserted the needle into one of Charlotte’s tiny veins then taped over it to keep it in place. The nurse then unscrewed the top and the drip began its work. Silence echoed around the room as they stood around. Only Evie’s trembling reverberated through her ears.

 
‘Is she going to be all right?’ she heard herself cry. Ben rubbed her arm.

  One of the men began. ‘Let’s hope we have got her in time. Signs are good, her pulse is improving a little.’ The doctor’s eyes focused on the monitor.

  Stabilising herself on quaking knees, Evie closed her eyes and raised her chin in prayer. Please let her live. Please keep her safe. Although Ben was close, her bones felt chilly, as though her blood had drained into the floor. All she wanted to do was to throw her arms around her baby and hold her and tell her she was safe and out of harm. What could be worse than witnessing her fragile child so obviously helpless, strapped to drips and breathing through a mask, struggling for her minute body to mend. It was surreal. Less than half an hour ago, they were eating dinner… though, she whimpered in disgust, quite why she hadn’t checked the pie packaging herself rather than relying on Seb to remember his daughter’s allergy, she didn’t know. She was furious with herself.

  Thank God for Ben! She turned her head and studied him. Immaculate timing! Not that it mattered how or why Ben had arrived, it was a miracle he had turned up when he did. What would she have done? She shuddered, brushing tears off her cheek with her hand. Ben tilted his head towards her and clutched her close, casting a sprinkling of reassurance.

  Biting her cheek, she turned back to her daughter; her child’s lips and eyes were still severely swollen. The seconds seemed like hours, the minutes stretched to what felt like days. Her chest heaved. The monitor gained momentum in unison with Charlotte’s pulse. Evie’s spirits rose.

  The doctor scratched his shoulder and moved his weight to his other leg. ‘One more shot, I think.’

  Evie’s mouth dropped. She covered it with her hand.

  The other doctor nodded in agreement. ‘Don’t panic, she’s doing fine, she may just need a bit more to help her along. She is quite dehydrated.’

  Revulsion whirled through her. What had she done to her poor daughter? Not only had she dragged her through excessive heat all day without enough to drink, but then she’d poisoned her with contaminated food. Why wasn’t it her lying there, or better still, Seb? Charlotte didn’t deserve this.