Page 53 of The Forbidden Fling

A groan came from the other side of the wood, and Diana’s ears pricked.

“Mol? Are you alright?”

She tried the door, but it was locked. Another groan. Then footsteps.

Molly opened the door, her face white as a sheet. A layer of sweat stuck her hair to her head, and she squinted under the light. “I think I’m dying,” she whined.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Diana put the back of her hand to her forehead. Sweltering. “Can I come in?”

She nodded, and Diana guided her back inside, Molly groaning all the way to her bed.

“What happened?”

“I’ve been running back and forth to the toilet all night.” She collapsed onto the mattress, curling into a ball. “It’s that water,” she mumbled. “I’m gonna kill Quin.”

“Sounds like you’ve caught a bug. Here, I’ll look after you.”

Yes. This she could do.

She filled a glass with cool water and encouraged Molly to drink. Then she wet a flannel and laid it over her forehead. “Try to get some sleep.”

Molly gave a tiny nod, and her eyelids fluttered closed.

Diana set to work, cleaning the toilet and sink, and then, unable to help herself, she rearranged some of the clutter. Afterwards, she took a cloth and wiped down the kitchen and the counters, leaving it all spotless.

Satisfied, she turned to Molly, her heart squeezing at the sight of her ghostly complexion. She rewet the flannel and pulled out a chair to sit beside her, brushing the hairs away from her face.

She used to do the same for Molly when she’d curled up in that pink princess bed of hers as a child, her blue elephant plushie pressed against her face. She’d have done anything to protect her little girl from the ways of the world.

Time passed so quickly. One minute, Molly had been running up to her after dance class, pink bows in her hair, then the next, she was ignoring her texts and calls.

Molly dropping out of her studies was something Diana couldn’t understand, but maybe she didn’t need to. Molly knew herself best. Who was Diana to judge?

She sat with her while the sun moved the shadows across the room. Every so often, Molly would spring up and dash to the toilet, then grunt as Diana forced her to drink more water.

When Diana’s back and bum were numb from sitting, Molly stirred, blinking at her. “You’re still here?”

“I am. What do you need?”

“You’ve been here all day?”

“Of course. If you need me, I’m here.”

Molly groaned, but Diana wasn’t sure if that was from the illness or the sentiment. “You should go. I’ll be fine now.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got nowhere else to be.”

“Honestly. I just want to sleep.”

“If you’re sure? I’ll come check on you in a little while.”

Molly closed her eyes again, and Diana pressed a kiss to her temple. At the door, she hesitated.

“I’ll be fine. Go,” Molly said. “And thanks, Mum.”

“Get some rest.” Then she stepped out into the late afternoon sun.

She blew out a breath. Now she was outside, mum-mode switched to standby, her stomach growled. A soft beat carried up on the wind. Music?