scare her again Chris. She doesn’t understand. Listen to me - in the other world go and see Dr Priestley. He’s a physicist. He doing a lecture series in St Mary’s church. Go to it. If you won’t talk to me go to him, he will explain everything.”
“Who are you talking about?” said Christine, “What do you mean?”
But before he could answer another person appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Mum, you’re back!”
It was the little girl she had met days ago. Teresa. She knew for certain that was her name. And at that the pain was back. She put her hands to her head and closed her eyes. White lights danced before her. She felt someone move to grab her before she fell but they were too late. She hit the floor with a thump and then darkness.
When she opened her eyes she was all alone. A smashed coffee pot was on the floor beside her. She sat up and looked around. She was in her kitchen. She stood up shakily and leaned against the kitchen worktop to try and steady herself. Water, have some water, she told herself. Unsteadily she walked to the cupboard to get a glass and then returned to the sink. She filled it with water and noticed her hand trembling as she did so. She walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. She sipped the water. She didn’t want to think about what had just happened but couldn’t escape the image of Matt and the little girl. What was happening to her? This was not like any illness she had ever heard about.
She knew she was scared now. Terrified she was losing her mind. Terrified she was insane. And yet… and yet… there was something else. The house, Matt, the girl, the image of the wedding. It all felt strangely familiar. The little girl, the name, it was like an echo of something she had known years ago.
What did it all mean? She needed to speak to Damien. Not about this of course. She didn’t even know how to start speaking about this. But she needed to hear his voice. Needed to know this was the real world and that he was her husband.
She got the phone and rang his mobile number. After three rings he picked up.
“Hello,” she said, “Everything ok?”
“Yes, everything’s fine with me. Are you ok though? I thought you’d be in work by now.”
She realised she didn’t know what time it was. She looked at the clock. 9.30. She was late.
“Yes, I don’t feel hundred percent so I’m going in later,” she said. It was half true.
“Why don’t you take the day off if you’re not well?” he said.
“I can’t. I’ve got too much to do. I have to go in.”
“Have you taken anything?”
“No but I’ll take some headache tablets, I’ll be fine.” She hesitated, and then, “I’m missing you today.”
“Aww babe. That’s sweet. I’m missing you too. Try and finish early this evening and we’ll spend some time together.”
“Okay,” she said. She felt tears start to prick her eyes. He must have sensed something.
“Are you’re sure you’re feeling better. Don’t go in if you’re not. You don’t sound right.”
“I’m fine, Damien, honestly. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Ring me later if you need me,” he said. “I’ll have finished my appointments by one.”
“Okay. Speak to you later. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She switched off the phone. Why did she feel as if she was betraying Damien? What was happening to her? Why was she seeing such things?
She sat back on the sofa. She had no idea what to do next. The doctor’s appointment was not until next week. And what could she say to the doctor? She realised she was scared of being committed to a mental hospital. That’s what they did to people like her didn’t they?
She could do with a drink. Not at 9.30 in the morning you don’t said her inner voice sternly. And it won’t help. It never does.
Right, I need to go to work then, she said to herself. She stood up. But then she remembered the smashed coffee pot