Part 19 (2/2)

*Bertram, please!'

*You need to be brave, Mr Stapleford. Miss St John needs our help. You must trust me.'

*No,' I panted, jerking sideways in my chair, as Mrs Turner grabbed for me again. *Don't trust him.'

*You are overwrought,' said Bertram averting his face.

*Alice!' I shouted. *They're going to give me treatment!'

I had heard of the strength of the mad, but I had never seen it. My words caused a greater effect than I could have imagined. Alice tore herself from John's grip, pus.h.i.+ng him hard to the ground at the same time. She uttered a harsh cry and threw herself at Mrs Turner. The nurse was knocked to the ground. They went down together, turning over and over, until Mrs Turner plunged the needle into Alice and she went limp.

Mrs Turner sat up and straightened her dress. *I'll fetch another one, doctor,' she said in a breathless voice. She rose and went towards the cabinet.

I flew from my chair. *My G.o.d! What have you done? The baby!' I rolled poor lifeless Alice onto her back.

*Now, Euphemia, don't interfere,' began Bertram, but his voice trailed off as Alice's loose clothes now draped around her fallen form clearly outlined a swollen belly.

*She has a tumour,' said Dr Frank.

*Then shouldn't she be in a hospital?' said Bertram.

*It's terminal,' said Dr Frank. *There is nothing to be done. We have tried to keep it from her.'

*The same terminal condition that took Sophy's life!' I exclaimed. *A pregnancy that has to be concealed! You know about this! I thought it had to be your staff without your knowledge, but you're involved!'

*What did Sophy die from?' asked Bertram.

*A myocardial infarction. A heart attack in layman's terms. It's written on her death certificate.'

*Which you doubtless wrote,' I said. *Was it you or John that visited Miss Wilton and helped her to the same condition?'

*The other doctor,' said Bertram in a voice of horror.

*My dear Mr Stapleford, don't let this poor deluded young woman convince you of her fantasies. I think perhaps you should leave. Miss St John's condition is far worse than I originally thought. I think it best she be admitted.'

*You can't do that!' I cried.

*Does she have family in town?' Dr Frank asked Bertram. *If not would you be willing to vouch for her. I think the sooner she gets treatment the greater the chance of recovery. That original blow to the head must have been far worse than anyone thought. Did she see a London doctor?'

*No, our family man.'

*A good man, I have no doubt, but sometimes it needs a specialist to detect these things. Has she been p.r.o.ne to flights of fantasy before?'

*Bertram,' I said feeling tears spring to my eyes. *You know me. You know I'm not mad.' I could not believe he was not defending me.

*Miss St John has a lively mind and quick intelligence,' said Bertram.

*That can make this sort of injury all the worse,' said Dr Frank.

*Bertram, you can see Alice is pregnant.'

*What you suggest is unthinkable, Euphemia. Alice has a tumour.'

*You can't commit me!'

Bertram shook his head. *No, I can't. I think it would be best if I took Euphemia away at once. I will see she gets the proper care.' He held out his hand to me. I took it.

*We can't leave her,' I said. *I promised we'd help.'

*Thank you for all your help, Dr Frank. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to understand what happened to Sophy and that the short life she had was a pleasant one. You will understand it was a shock to discover she existed. I think it best that we leave now.'

John moved in front of the door, barring our exit.

*I am afraid I must insist you leave Miss St John in our care,' said Dr Frank. *It is for her own good.'

*I don't agree,' said Bertram with all his old stubbornness. *She is in my care.'

*As a doctor I can supersede that authority.'

*I feel certain you will not,' said Bertram belligerently.

*I have no choice,' said Dr Frank. *It is in her best interests. Please stand aside.'

*Bertram, if you leave me here I will never be free,' I said clutching his arm. *I know too much. They will make out I am mad. I will be committed for life.'

Mrs Turner had filled another syringe. *Now, my dear,' she said smoothly. *This will all go a lot easier if you don't resist.'

*I will not allow this,' said Bertram, placing himself between Mrs Turner and myself.

I opened my mouth to thank him, but before the words were past my lips John grabbed him in a practised arm-lock. *Unhand me!' cried Bertram.

*I do regret this,' said Dr Frank. *But family can be the last to see the problem.'

*I'm not family,' shouted Bertram. *She's my housekeeper. Let me go. This is outrageous.'

*Ah,' said Dr Frank, *and yet she calls you by your Christian name? Perhaps it is not surprising she imagines the result of fornication in other women. We have a term for this. It is called projection.'

*You villain,' I cried. *You'll never get away with this!'

Mrs Turner's needle punctured my skin. The pain was sharp and hot. Bertram struggled to free himself from John's grip. The nurse pushed the plunger and the drug flooded into me.

*No!' I cried. The room began to swim before my eyes. *No! Help! Help!'

My legs gave beneath me. I knew I was lost. In the distance I heard the sound of running feet. More attendants. What would happen to Bertram? My eyelids felt like lead. I felt myself slipping away. I offered up a confused but earnest prayer for help.

The last thing I saw was the door shattering into pieces as Rory burst through it. All the colours were too bright. I could no longer tell if this was real or a dream. I heard myself utter a long sigh. My mind slipped down into darkness.

<script>