Brick by Brick

Part Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

"No Clifford, I haven't heard from her in for a while. I just presumed she was busy." Joel rolled his eyes at the concern in the older man's voice as it travelled down the phone line.

"But we have to sign the paperwork before Monday, that's if she wants to be settled before Christmas."

He groaned, "ok, leave it with me, I'll try and contact her. She's got the paperwork?"

"No. But I can email it to her."

Joel disconnected the call then leaned back in his office chair and closed his eyes; he hadn't spoken to Sammy since she'd gone home the previous weekend. That was only five days ago, he had no reason to feel bad as she hadn't called him either, but he had that awful sick feeling rotting at his stomach.

Opening his eyes, he reached for his phone and dialled Sammy's number. There was no answer, and he was about to hangup when suddenly she was on the line, breathless.

"Sorry Joel...are you still there?"

He leaned forward, elbows on the desk, "yup. You ok?"

She groaned then the line went quiet for a moment. "Been better, got quite a lot on, but then some things never change. How are you?"

Joel let out the breath he didn't realise he was holding and offered, "equally as hectic. Who knew selling a business was so time consuming."

"You're still doing that?"

"Yup. I want a life. I've given up too much. I'm actually calling because Clifford's been on the phone..."

She cut him off abruptly, "hang on for a moment." The phone went silent and it was literally a minute later that her voice reappeared, again breathless and almost hushed. "Sorry, I'm with Monica...she doesn't like hearing about the Turner's."

That made sense, "jealous?"

"Sort of. It's all a bit tricky here. What does he want Clifford?"

"Papers need signing, he said he'd posted them to you, have you received them? And can you get them back to him?"

There were a few more moments of silence and he could almost hear her brain ticking over, "not sure. Look I'm at the hospital. Can I call you later...when I'm home?"

The one word guaranteed to make bile rise in his throat, "hospital? Are you ok? Is it Eleanor?"

"No," she whispered at a hiss, "it's Monica...long story. I have to get back to her. Can I call you tonight?"

His heart was pounding at the anxiety of the last twenty seconds, and he could only sigh, "of course. I'll be home in a couple of hours."

He'd intended to go to the gym on the way home, maybe catch up with Toby for a few beers, but he'd settle for a bottle of wine and a movie after speaking to Sammy. She'd been evasive and anxious on the phone, coupled with her being at a hospital, it all made him concerned.

But a microwave spaghetti meatballs and a bottle of Chianti were a good second best, especially when the heavens opened as he reached his apartment block. It was cold, wet, mid November, he was glad not to be facing the elements. He was getting old. That thought accompanied him up in the elevator until he got to his front door.

But he didn't expect her to cry, that was the last thing he'd anticipated hearing along the phone line. Sobbing, heart wrenching tears.

"Sammy, talk to me, please. What's wrong? Can't you tell me?"