But now I sleep alone

Chapter 26

I climb out of the car and reach back in to help Charlie. She's paler than usual and I'm worried sick. The last couple of days have nearly done her in. She climbs out of the car on shaky legs and Eliza and I escort her inside. Eliza has rung ahead and booked a room for Charlie so I take the keycard from the receptionist, pick Charlie up and carry her to the elevator, pressing the correct button after I set her down briefly. She clings to me like a limpet to a rock and my heart is breaking seeing her like this.
I pick her up again after we stop moving and carry her to the door of her room, only setting her down again to actually open the door. I carry her inside and gently place her on the bed as Eliza follows us in.
"Charlie, I'll pop back tomorrow to sort out arrangements for your mothers funeral ok. Take care darling" are Eliza's words before she heads off. I take Charlie's hand in mine and carefully stroke the hair out of her eyes as she moans with pain.
I text the guys and tell them where we are and ask if they can get Charlie's medication from the house. She needs it tonight. She's in far too much pain and I'm wondering whether she needs to go back to the hospital.
Almost an hour passes before I get a text off Vic telling me they're outside. I gently let go of Charlie's hand and grab the key card before letting myself out. She's drifted off into a fitful sleep at the moment and I don't want her waking up just yet. She needs the rest.
"Hey guys" I say as I meet up with them in the lobby. I fill them in on what's happened and take the bag the guys have packed for Charlie. They tell me they're going to stay with the YMAS guys in the guest house. They have been told they need to stay around for now, incase they're needed for more statements or something. I nod and after thanking them, head back up to Charlie.
She's in the bathroom throwing up by the sound of it when I get back.
"Charlie" I whisper as I hold her hair out of the way. She's whiter than milk and so cold. She has sick in her hair and all down her t shirt. I grab a towel and clean her up a little before running her a bath. It will warm her up too. I check it's not too hot before helping her strip off. I lift her into the water and keeping her plastered arm out of the way, wash her hair for her before washing her body. She just sits there, staring at nothing. I pull the plug and lift her out of the water, standing her up as I wrap a warm towel around her. I gently carry her back to the bed and pull the covers up before examining the pills the guys fetched. I see the strong painkillers I've seen her take before and measure out the dose it says on the bottle, passing them to her along with some water. She puts them in her mouth and swallows them down before closing her eyes once again. Silent sobs take over her and my heart shatters.
"She did it so I could be with you" she whispers. I feel the colour leave my face at the reality of what her mam did hits me. I am at a loss for words and just sit there, trying to digest the words Charlie just said.