AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With the laborious task of delousing my hair done, I spray the mattress and the room and close the door. For good measure, I spray the bathroom, kitchen, and lounge until the canister is empty.
I have no way of telling the time, but I’m guessing the sun sets around five or six. It’s been dark for a long time before headlights creep over the hill and fall on the house.
I wait on the threshold as Heidi gets out of the car and takes a shopping bag from the back.
Her broad smile slips as she nears. “What’s wrong?”
“You better not come inside.”
She drops the bag on the veranda step. “Did something happen?”
“Lice.”
“What?” she asks with a shriek.
“Yep. I got products to wash my hair and spray the mattress, but I have to boil the bedding.”
“Oh my God.” She clasps a hand over her mouth. “This is terrible. Wait.” She lowers her hand. “Where did you get products?”
“At the pharmacy in the village.”
Her mouth falls open. “You walked there?”
“It’s not that far.”
“But…” She shakes her head. “How did you pay?”
“I didn’t.” I bite my lip. “I offered to pay with a service, but the lady ended up giving me the products for free. She wasn’t very happy about that though. I should probably go back and give her the money.”
Her lips flatten. “Did she wear ugly black glasses and too much make-up?”
“That sounds like her.”
“Helene Campana, the local pharmacist.” She adds with disdain, “The woman has always been tight-fisted.”
“Well, it wasn’t her duty to give me the treatment for free.”
She locks her jaw as she picks up the bag and charges up the steps. “A bit of charity won’t do her any harm. It may even win her a little grace in the eyes of the Almighty.”
“What are you doing?” I ask with alarm as she moves around me.
Putting the bag down, she snorts. “Do you think I’m scared of a few lice?”
“You should be.”
She shuts the door and turns to me with a chuckle. “I’ve dealt with worse. Let me see.” She grips my shoulders and spins me around. “Did you do the back of your head?”
“I tried my best.”
She parts my hair with her fingers. “I don’t see anything, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all gone. We better make sure, just to be on the safe side.”
“Maybe we should cut my hair.”
“Nonsense.” She releases me. “There’s no need to be so radical. We’ll get those rascals, don’t you worry.” She shrugs off her coat, all efficiency and determination. “Bring me those products.”
“Thank you, Heidi.” And I don’t only mean for helping me. She doesn’t know how much I need her kindness.
“Don’t mention it,” she says, waving my gratitude away.
