Your Lying Eyes

Your Lying Eyes Chapter 24

As they sat in the back of the taxi on the way to the hospital, Howard sent a text to Chloe to tell her that they were both on their way.  He also sent one to Gary telling him that they'd had to leave, and asking him to tell Sian and Karen where Anna had got to.

Anna was trying hard not to panic and wondering what could have happened to Maisie.

"How was she when you left the flat?" she asked Howard, thinking that he would be able to remember something.

"Like she was the other night," he replied, his forehead creased in a frown as he thought back to earlier that evening.  "She seemed a little warm but apart from that she was fine.  She was laughing when we were playing and she soon settled and went to sleep."

"That sounds like she'd been all day," said Anna, her eyes filling with tears.

"Come on, it'll be something and nothing," said Howard gently, his arms going around her.  "Chloe's done the right thing taking her there if she was worried.  They'll check her out and we'll be taking her home in a couple of hours."

"You think so?" asked Anna looking up at him,  hoping that he was right.

"Yeah.  She'll be fine," said Howard, hugging her to him.  He hoped he was right.  He was worried too about why Chloe had taken her to the hospital.  She was such a sensible girl and took such great care of Maisie.

The hospital wasn't far and after paying the driver, they half ran into the reception, Anna keeping a firm grip on Howard's hand.

Going to the glass window, Howard explained who they were and who they were looking for.  

"They've just taken her up to the children's ward," said the woman after consulting her notes.  She gave them directions and the two of them set off in search of it.

As they walked into the ward, they were met by one of the nurses who took them to a small side ward, where Chloe was sat by the side of Maisie's cot.  Anna held out her arms, hugging her tightly and Howard went to look at his daughter as she lay there, a bandage around her hand where a line had been put in for medicines and fluids.  He swallowed hard as a lump came to his throat, tears pricking at the back of his eyes.  He wanted to scoop her up and hold her close to him.  She looked so tiny and pale against the sheets, a stain of red on her cheek.

"What happened?" he asked Chloe gruffly.  

"She had a fit.  I'd never seen one before," said Chloe, fresh tears running down her face.  "It was awful.  She'd been crying and I went into the room.  She was very warm and I was just about to pick her up, when her body went rigid and her head went back.  She shook all over, and then just went limp in my arms.  It was really scary," she cried.

Anna looked at Howard over the top of Chloe's head, her own eyes bright with tears.  She hugged her tighter.

Howard nodded, unable to speak as he gazed down into the cot at the sleeping baby.

"What did the doctors say when you brought her in?" Howard wanted to know.  "Did they say anything about what it could be?" he asked her.

"They think she had a febrile convulsion.  Probably brought on by her teething.  They are going to do some tests and check her out properly.  They may even send her for a scan tomorrow."  Chloe, sniffed and wiped her eyes, feeling a bit calmer now that she had told both of them what had happened.

Anna let go of her and went to join Howard at the side of the cot.  She put her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder, trying to reassure him.  He kissed the top of her head, his own arms going around her shoulders and hugging her.  They stood looking down at their now peaceful daughter.