Page 30 of The Politician

Sarah had never felt as cold, but the ache that had consumed her whole body so quickly was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She tucked herself into a ball and closed her eyes. The hand on her shoulder jolted her.

“Here, take these. I’m going to need to take a swab from your nose.”

Sarah groaned as she lifted her head and swallowed the tablets. She twitched as Kendra took a swab. “Lay on top of me,” she said. It was something she remembered her mum doing when she’d had flu as a child. Something about the weight blocked out the worst of the aches and helped to stop the shivering.

Kendra climbed onto the bed and rested her full weight on Sarah. She wrapped her arms around her. “How’s that,” she whispered.

“Better.” Sarah still shook and the pain didn’t shift, but the comfort helped.

“You need to get some sleep,” Kendra said and stroked Sarah’s hair.

Sarah opened her eyes and had no sense of how much time had passed. The room was dark, the curtains closed, and there was no sign of daylight peeking between the rail and wall. She turned over, and there was still a dull ache in her bones, but it wasn’t as violent as it had been. Her mouth was dry, and her skin burning hot, and she needed a pee. She got up and made her way to the loo, and the shivering started up again. She remembered groaning at the pain and then, nothing.

“Sarah. Sarah.”

The voice was familiar, though it wasn’t her mother’s. She recognised the gentle touch on her cheek as Kendra’s. The feather pillow should have been soft, and yet her head hurt resting against it. She tried to blink her eyes open, but her lids were heavy and for some reason, her brain refused to process her instructions.

“I need you to sit up a little, so you can take more pills.”

Sarah felt Kendra’s arm around her neck, lifting her head. She tasted the cool water at her lips and took a few sips. The chill made the burning inside her worse. Kendra eased a pill onto her tongue, and Sarah had to force herself to swallow more water and a second pill. When her head met with the pillow, she sunk into it deeply and appreciated its softness. She curled into a ball and groaned as another wave of pain ripped through her.

“It’s okay, Sarah. You’ll be fine. I’m here, right next to you.”

Kendra wrapped her arm around her. The warmth of Kendra’s body against her back reassured her, and as the pills started to take effect, she drifted to sleep.

Sarah woke to an empty bed and wondered if she’d been dreaming until she moved, and her aching bones reminded her of the hours she’d lost. Light spilled into the room from behind the curtains, and she had no concept of the time. She lifted her head and was pleased that the pain didn’t increase. Slowly, she made her way to the loo. She splashed a little water on her face and wrapped her robe around her, feeling drained. The dull ache persisted, but it was bearable. A bigger problem was the light-headedness and faintness that gripped her. She sat on the bed for a while until it passed then slowly made her way down the stairs.

“What are you doing?” Kendra asked, approaching her from the cooker and taking her into her arms. “You shouldn’t be up and about yet.”

Sarah leaned against Kendra’s chest. “I’m fine.”

Kendra chuckled. “Yeah, right. Who are you trying to convince? Come and sit on the couch, and I’ll make you a drink.”

Sarah made her way slowly, with Kendra’s assistance, and sat on the couch, exhausted by the smallest effort. “It’s wiped me out.”

Kendra plucked a throw from one of the armchairs and laid it out over her. “You look dreadful.”

Sarah half-laughed. “You say the sweetest things.”

Kendra smiled. “You had me worried for a while.”

“What day is it?”

“Monday.”

Sarah started to rise but slumped back in the seat.

“You aren’t going anywhere this side of Friday.”

“Bollocks.”

“Yeah, Jeremy has been on the phone. I told him you’ve got COVID.”

Sarah shook her head. “You don’t know that for sure. I’ll be up and about tomorrow.” It was a sham of a defence.

Kendra smiled. “I tested you, remember? I’ve tested positive too, but no symptoms.” She shrugged. “So, we can work from here once you’re fit, but right now you need to sleep, eat, and rest. I’ve made soup.”

“I can’t smell anything.”

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