Silent Treatment by Jackie Williams Page A

didn’t have thoughts about sex. I just want to know that if anything is going on, that you’re being safe. There’s nothing like a baby to cramp your style.”
    Carrie had to laugh.
    “Oh mum, was I that bad?”
    Her mother shrugged and smiled.
    “No, but then your dad is quite a bit older than me. He already had a good job and was able to provide for us all. I was quite happy to stay at home with you. This is a bit different for you, what with everything that’s going on in your life. It’s probably not a good time to have a relationship.”
    Carrie lay back on the pillows again and thought about the situation miserably.
    “I know mum. Dan and I do like each other, but even if it was more than just liking, which it isn’t, it’s not going to go anywhere. He was just being kind ‘cos I felt so ill, and anyway, he’s going to America in September. He only found out yesterday. He won a Sports Academy scholarship in Atlanta. It’s fantastic for him, but it’s a three year placement. We aren’t going to be seeing each other for a very long while.” Carrie covered her mouth with her hand as she nearly cried out with the intense pain that suddenly caught at her chest.
    Her mum whipped up the bucket from the floor and Carrie made some convincing gagging noises and spat in it. She pulled a tissue from the box on her bedside table and made a big show of wiping her mouth.
    Helen took the tissue and grimaced.
    “Ewh! I think you’ve gone past bile now. You’re gagging on nothing. That’s so bad for you. Your stomach will be raw.” Her mother looked into the bottom of the empty bucket. “Maybe you need something to eat. What about some buttered toast?”
    Carrie moaned in longing. She was starving but she knew she would have to suffer for a few more hours if she were going to pull off this deception convincingly.
    “Maybe later mum, I couldn’t stomach anything at the moment. I’m just thirsty. Being sick has made my throat sore. Is there any coke left?”
    “I think there’s a bottle in the fridge. I’ll go and get you some. I’ll give Antonio a quick ring and then bring a glass back up.” She walked towards the door and closed it quietly behind her.
    Carrie lay down and slipped her mobile phone out from under her pillow. She sent a quick text to Daniel, telling him how the first part of her plan was going, and had a smiley face reply within seconds. Then she put the phone back under the pillow as she heard her mother coming back up the stairs.
    She handed Carrie the glass of coke and waited while Carrie sipped at it. Then she took the glass from her hand and put it on the bedside table.
    “I’ll leave that here in case you want any later. I spoke to Antonio and he says you’re to stay in bed for the next two days. He’s going to come over on Saturday evening to see how you’re getting on, but he’s not rehearsing over the weekend anyway. I said you’d probably be okay for Monday, but he said don’t come in until you’re strong enough. If you’re still weak, the dancing will make you worse. Better to have a few days off now than in the middle of the tour.”
    Carrie turned her head slightly and smiled in relief against the pillow. She lifted her head and spoke weakly.
    “Thanks mum. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a couple of days. If it is that bug going round, Dan said it took him a while to get over it.”
    Her mother looked at her suspiciously one more time.
    “Yes, I’m sure it did. Well, whatever it is wrong with you, I daresay he’s going help you get over it. Your dad just saw him hanging around the gate still. He went out and asked him what he wanted. Apparently he says that he’s coming over tomorrow to see if you’re any better. Your dad says Daniel looks a lot sicker than you.” Helen caught the hint of a smile that curled the corners of Carrie’s mouth. She smiled indulgently as she walked back to the door and closed it gently behind her.

 
    Chapter Four
    The Next Day
     
    Jim