Don't Be Afraid Read Free Page B

clearly greatly distressed yesterday, and I would have preferred to keep you here. However, your husband explained that he feels it would actually be detrimental to your well-being, so we decided you can go as soon as your stomach recovers – which will probably be a couple of days.”
    â€œIt’s true. I need to be in my own home. I want to go home tomorrow.”
    â€œLet’s see how your stomach is and do a few tests. We can decide tomorrow, okay? But I can tell you already I think you should stay here at least one more day.”
    I was quiet. Two days was better than a week. I didn’t think I could haggle for more.
    â€œMy condition, though, is that we follow you at home, like I explained to your husband. I have referred you to the Crisis team, and they will be visiting you—”
    â€œBut this has been a misunderstanding!”
    â€œIsabel, I don’t think I can believe that.”
    â€œI think it’s true, Dr Tilden. I know my wife, and this was completely out of character . . .” I was surprised at how well, how smoothly he could lie. I didn’t think he had it in him. The things he’ ll do for me, I thought, with yet another pang of guilt.
    â€œI’m sorry I made everyone worry this way, but I didn’t mean it. I had forgotten about how many pills I had taken, and my head was killing me. I had this terrible migraine; it was horrible. I fell asleep, and then when I woke up the pain wasn’t gone so I took some more . . . and I hadn’t eaten since yesterday because of the nausea.”
    â€œIsabel.” I wished he would stop saying my name. Like he was trying to soothe a child, make her see reason. “The Crisis team is there to help. You don’t need to worry—”
    â€œI’m not worried, I just don’t need it.” He didn’t believe me. Of course. He’d seen through my story.
    â€œI think the level of support offered here is a bit too . . . intense. I think Isabel would benefit from a gentler approach,” Angus said softly. Once again, the doctor looked from Angus to me.
    â€œIsabel.” Again, his voice was like nails down a blackboard. “I need to speak with the team, and we’ll decide together. However, I want to let you know that I’m certainly taking your point of view on board. We want you to feel comfortable with the care you’ll be receiving from us.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” I asked anxiously.
    â€œThat we’ll look into a care package that is in harmony with your needs.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?” I insisted.
    â€œAs I said, I’m going to put this to the team. Laura, our social worker, will want to speak to you as well. But as far as I’m concerned, if you assure me that you really lost track of how many pills you were taking . . . and if you promise me you’ll seek appropriate medical attention and appropriate medication for your migraine . . . we can maybe think of visiting you once a week for a month.”
    â€œI don’t like having strangers in my home,” I said, and immediately regretted it. It sounded like I needed help. “I mean, I’m very shy. I don’t like talking to people I don’t know.”
    â€œI see. Who is your GP?”
    â€œDr Robertson, in the Glen Avich Health Centre,” Angus said. “She’s known my family for a long time. We would feel more comfortable with her.”
    â€œI know her, yes. Well, I’ll put it to the team. And I’ll give Dr Robertson a call. Is that fair, do you think, Isabel?”
    Patronising so and so, I thought, and I immediately felt bad. After all, he did want to help me. And his eyes were kind.
    Still, I hated every minute. If only I hadn’t called all that attention to myself, I could have been left alone.
    â€œYes. That’s okay. So when can I go home?”
    â€œLike I said, tomorrow, if your stomach behaves, or the day after.