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EIGHTY-ONE
Kim heard the soft beeping of the machines as she entered the room.
Eloise’s eyes opened and lit up. ‘Oh, how lovely to see you again,’ she whispered.
Kim took a seat beside the woman, who was pale and shrunken against the covers.
Despite the secondary heart attack she’d suffered on the way to the hospital, Eloise was alive and almost out of the woods. Doctors had insisted on keeping her for a few nights for observation.
‘Eloise, you are gonna have to give me some lifestyle tips cos clearly you ain’t ready to go anywhere.’
‘And you must give me some idea of how you always seem to know when I’m in trouble, as we seem to be making a habit of you turning up to save my life. Are you psychic?’
‘Nothing supernatural there. I’m just following the clues.’
‘I suppose I’m doing the same thing,’ Eloise said with a smile.
Kim allowed the silence to settle between them. Eloise would speak when she was ready.
‘Ask me anything,’ she said, smiling wider. ‘I can see the questions spilling out of you.’
‘I’m curious,’ Kim said, sitting back in the chair. ‘I know you couldn’t tell Rose anything about Bradley because he wasn’t dead, but did you feel anything at all?’
Eloise nodded. ‘I knew she was never going home again. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I knew it beyond doubt.’
‘Would you have considered lying to her for her own good?’
Eloise shook her head. ‘It’s not our truth to tell. I receive messages and if they’re welcomed, I pass them on, but I wouldn’t lie to someone. That’s not what the gift is about.’
Kim nodded her understanding. Eloise’s answer was important to her.
‘And I heard what you said,’ Eloise offered quietly.
Of course she had.
‘Did you mean it? Are you ready for your gift?’
Kim took a breath. Throughout the week, she had been in conflict with her own convictions. Seven days ago, she had known exactly what she felt, but she’d heard and seen things that weren’t as easily explained away as Richard would have them believe. Was she ready to suspend her original deep-rooted beliefs and give Eloise a chance?
Slowly, she nodded.
Eloise tentatively pushed herself to a sitting position, swatting away assistance from Kim.
‘It’s strange that you’ve spent your whole life looking for evidence of him when Mikey has been with you the whole time.’
‘Wh…what?’ Kim asked.
‘He’s your twin. Where else would he be?’
Kim had a realisation when she thought about Eloise’s greetings.
‘It’s not me you’re happy to see again, is it?’
Eloise shook her head. ‘I’m always glad to see you but no, you’re right, it’s the beautiful little boy you bring with you. I saw him the first time we met, years ago, but you wouldn’t have believed me.’
Kim swallowed back the emotion.
‘He has the most gorgeous smile. He’s free of pain, he’s free of fear. He’s carefree. He’s happy. Tell me of a time that you remember him joyous.’
