Collision

Chapter 6

I woke to Miss Debenham's face. " Well, isn't this a pleasant sight?" I said sarcastically. " It's a lucky thing Dr. Arbuthnot had my things moved here. When I came here the pillows were wet, and you were out cold." she told me. " I didn't know." I whispered. Miss Debenham nodded, " Do you see now why the doctor had me moved here?" she asked. I nodded defeatedly, realizing I had fainted like the doctor said I might. I realized I was still holding the photo in my hands. " Is it your family?" she asked, and I nodded. Miss Debenham held out her hand, and I sighed before giving it to her. However, I didn't let go, and looked Miss Debenham in the eyes, " This photo, you might recognize it. All I ask is that when you put two and two together, you don't tell anyone else. Especially the detective, he'll find out soon enough." I told her, and she nodded confused. That is, until she looked at the photo. I pursed my lips as Miss Debenham looked between her and the photo, " Oh my god." she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. " Lily? Lily Armstrong?" she asked, her eyes wide in shock, and I nodded. " I don't believe it! You've grown up." Miss Debenham said, and I laughed. " Five years will do that to you. But don't worry, throughout it all my favorite subject is still geography." I replied, and suddenly I felt her arms around my back, " I can't believe it's you. I'm so happy you're okay." she whispered, and I returned the hug tentatively. Miss Debenham let go of me. " How are you? How have you been?" Miss Debenham asked hurriedly, and I only replied with, " Is the detective interviewing people"? Miss Debenham blinked twice before nodding. " I have asked him to be interviewed with you present, so I can watch you." Miss Debenham added, and I smiled. " We will catch up later, after the interview. With us being roommates, and being stuck in a snowdrift, we'll have time." I replied, and we both laughed. " I suppose so. Here, drink this water, and then we will go to the dining car." Miss Debenham said, handing me a cup as the Doctor came in. " Ah Lily. Ready to change your bandage? Hopefully your head won't look too bad." he says. " Will this hurt?" I asked, and the doctor shook his head, " It shouldn't, no". I nodded as Miss Debenham told him about me fainting. " She'll be fine as long as she doesn't move too suddenly, and takes an aspirin every so often." he tells us. He takes off the bandage, and examines the cut on my head. " I'm afraid it will need stitches. It's quite deep, and it hasn't closed up as I had hoped." he told me. " Will it have to wait until we get to a hospital?" I asked, and the doctor shook his head, " No, I could do it here, but it will be painful, I won't lie". I just nodded, and asked him to do it after our interviews which would be soon. " I'll do it tonight." he said, before walking out.

I told Miss Debenham I was going to get a cake from the kitchen as I was famished. She nodded, and with shaky steps, I walked down the hall toward the kitchen where I heard the detective interviewing the dark haired lady who was with Miss Debenham the first time I fainted. Detective Poirot stated her name was Pilar Estravados, and suddenly I was taken back to a memory long forgotten.

She ran to Daisy's room and helped the nurse get untied. When she did she was crying. " You have to go save her, Lily. Go save her, I will be fine." Miss Estravados told her. " How? He's big and I'm small. I don't wanna get hurt." she told her. Miss Estravados smiled through her tears. " You are agile and quick, and you are flexible from your years in gymnastics. Use your skills, and you may be small, but you must make yourself big. Now go. I will be fine." Miss Estravados told her. She kissed Lily atop the head before Lily ran off more confident than before.