A Kind of Magic. Бетти Нилс

Чтение книги онлайн.

      ‘Like that? Whatever next…?’

      ‘He’s a doctor, Mrs MacFee,’ said Rosie. ‘He’s concerned with Uncle Donald—I could be there with nothing on at all and he wouldn’t notice!’

      She gave the elderly cheek a quick kiss, nipped through the upstairs passages, and slid into the room without a word.

      If the doctor noticed her appearance he gave no sign. ‘He is regaining consciousness. Sit where he can see you.’

      So she sat close to the bed again, and sure enough her uncle’s eyelids soon fluttered and opened. He closed them again at once, and then after a minute opened them again. ‘Rosie?’ His voice was a thread of sound.

      ‘Yes, Uncle.’

      ‘Strange you’re here—I’ve been thinking about you…your father…’ He closed his eyes again, and she looked at the doctor, who looked calmly back at her and didn’t speak.

      ‘Never liked me much, did you?’ went on the weary voice. ‘Kicked me when I beat that dog. Sorry about that. So long ago. I’ve been a fool.’

      Rosie took one of his hands in hers. ‘That’s all over and done with, Uncle… The doctor’s here, you were taken ill.’

      The tired face turned slowly on the pillow. ‘Don’t know you. Married to Rosie, are you?’

      Dr Cameron looked faintly amused. ‘Indeed not. Your own doctor was out on a case, and I got your housekeeper’s message on the car phone. Dr Douglas will be with us very shortly and it is to be hoped that you can be taken to hospital in Oban as soon as you are fit enough to move.’