Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale

The SUV was speeding back towards Roald Dahl Plass, Owen following in his Honda. She looked at him with a steady, level gaze. Maybe I’m just paranoid or this thing is doing something to my mind, but … Really, what are you doing here?’ ‘Look,’ he said, summoning a feeble smile from somewhere, ‘I did warn you - this isn’t a good time for me. He realised that he must look like a complete tramp Saskia’s cool green gaze was still checking him over carefully, perhaps trying to recognise the same man she’d seen in surgery the previous day. He wiped a hand down his face, surprised at the roughness on his chin. For God’s sake, I’m bringing up blood.’ He coughed, winced and then said, ‘I’m supposed to be a doctor. I want to cough it all up, but it just won’t budge. You probably think I’m nuts-’ (She shook her head, not at all) ‘-but it feels like there’s a wasps’ nest in my throat and I can’t stop coughing. I’ve seen the reports on the TV … it’s spreading across the whole area, and they keep telling everyone it’s nothing to worry about, it’s just a minor flu epidemic or a bug, but I can tell they’re keeping something back. Like a biological weapon - I know it sounds crazy, but I’m convinced. ‘Not yet.’ He gagged, once, and then spoke in a rush, the words tumbling from his lips in a hurry because he knew he was going to throw up soon. ‘Well, I’ve already got people working on it,’ he told her. I think it’s something to do with what’s been on TV. ‘Do you know what’s wrong with you?’ Saskia asked him gently. ‘What are you doing here?’ He coughed painfully and tried once again to focus on her. She took him into the living room, surveying the mess without comment.

Immediately Saskia Harden stepped in after him, reaching out to help keep him upright.

Strong went to speak, coughed up another string of mucus, and backed away. ‘Is there anything wrong? You don’t look very well, Dr Strong.’ Was that a smile on those perfect lips? Surely that was concern in her eyes, not mockery? ‘Saskia … Y’know, now isn’t a good time.’ Realising this guttural noise could hardly be understood, he swallowed with difficulty and began again. ‘Saskia,’ he said roughly, his throat still clogged with snot. But then he remembered who he was dealing with. Maybe things were not quite as bad as he thought, if she didn’t reel back in alarm and disgust at the first sight of him. Not ‘Good God, you look awful, what’s the matter?’ Just ‘Hello.’ It was so utterly normal and unexpected that Bob felt an immediate, fantastic surge of hope and warmth.

Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale