Read Online Colton Manor by Francene Carroll - Free Book Online Page B

caring that Tom and Bonnie saw the mess of pens, tissues, bus tickets, tampons, coins and lip-gloss that came flying out. There was still no sign of the keys Yvette had given her.
    “Maybe you left them in the car,” said Bonnie.
    “Maybe. I’ll go down and have a look.” She tore down the stairs and across the drive, hurriedly opening the glove box, but after pulling everything out she had to face the fact that the keys weren’t there either. She tried to remember the last time she’d had them in her hand and she realised it was at the library when she was talking to the young woman at the front desk. She must have left them in the archives.
    Ursula cur sed out loud as she made her way back to the house. She couldn’t help looking up at the window of her studio, but thankfully there was no one looking down at her this time. She gave a sigh of relief, but just as she stepped onto the porch the front door swayed and then closed with a loud bang, causing her to jump. There was very little breeze that night and the door was heavy.
    Her heart was pounding as she pushed the door open again, but there was nothing there, just the empty foyer. Bonnie’s worried face appeared at the top of the stairs.
    “What was that?”
    “The door just closed.”
    “By itself?”
    “The wind must have pushed it.” She did not want to entertain any other possibilities at that moment when all their focus had to be on Damien.
    “Did you find the keys?”
    “No,” she said, climbing the stairs. “I think I left them at the library.”
    “Oh dear, w hat are we going to do now?” Bonnie glanced anxiously from Ursula to Tom and back again.
    “We could call the po lice,” said Tom, “but it will take them time to get here, and I’m starting to get very worried about Damien. You’re right, this is not like him at all. I think we should break it down ourselves.”
    “ I agree,” said Ursula. “This is an emergency. Damien wouldn’t stay in there and ignore us if there was nothing wrong.” Bonnie just nodded.
    “Okay, then, stand back,” said Tom g rimly. Ursula and Bonnie stood together as Tom swung his leg back then then proceeded to kick the door as hard as he could. The first kick did nothing at all, but the second one cracked the wood, and with the third kick the lock gave way completely. The door flew open and hit the wall with a bang.
    The first thing Ur sula noticed was the sweaty smell that permeated the room, much like a gym locker room. She found the light and switched it on, and for a few seconds they all just stared at the still figure on the bed, not wanting to take a closer look in case their worst fears were realised. It was Bonnie who made the first move, stepping towards him and putting her hand on his forehead.
    “He’s got a fever . Tom you call a doctor, and Ursula you get some cold water and towels, and see if you can find a thermometer.” After the first wave of relief that he was not dead passed Ursula quickly busied herself following Bonnie’s orders. The towels and cold water were easy but she couldn’t find a thermometer anywhere.
    “How bad is it?” she asked when she finally sat down beside Bonnie on the bed.
    “I don’t know,” Bonnie shrugged. “It’s hard to tell without taking his temperature. I don’t have much to go by except my kids. They were also running a fever this week, but I don’t think it was this high. I wish the doctor would hurry up.” She glanced towards the door as Damien stirred and moaned.
    “Where’s Tom?” asked Ursula.
    “He’s downstairs waiting for the doctor. He hates being around sick people and couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I told him to make himself useful and clean up the vase you knocked over.”
    It seemed like an eternity before the doctor finally arrived. He was a kind looking older man with shaggy white eyebrows. He set his bag down on the bedside table and looked down at Damien, and for the first time since they’d kicked the door