‘The second week in January. Until then, the television channels run repeats. Or put something else on.’
‘What about Battle at the Bar? When do you start shooting the next season?’
‘Not till late January but it will depend on Zack. Hopefully, he’ll be better by then. We’ll know more when we visit him today.’
Ruby frowned. ‘I was thinking about that. What if we run into other people from Harvest Productions at the hospital? They’ll think it’s odd if I’m with you. They might put two and two together.’
‘I doubt we’ll run into anyone. The story’s not out about Zack being stabbed yet. I checked the news on my phone earlier and there was nothing.’
‘But it won’t take long to get out,’ Ruby said. ‘Someone will talk.’
‘Not Zack. He’s not into social media. Or media at all, for that matter.’
‘What about the police? Or one of the nurses?’
‘It’s possible. Look, don’t worry about running into other people at the hospital. It’s none of their business if you’re there with me.’
‘I suppose so...’
‘Come on. Let’s get dressed and get in there. The earlier we visit, the less likely it will be that anyone else will be there.’
Sebastian was right. There was no one else in Zack’s room, other than the nurse named Susan who was checking his blood pressure. She glanced up as they entered, giving Ruby a look that wasn’t entirely welcoming.
‘You look a bit better than yesterday,’ Sebastian remarked whilst Ruby sat down on a chair in the corner. ‘But not much.’
‘Don’t worry, Seb. Susan says I’ll be okay in a week or so. Isn’t that right, Susan?’
‘If you’re sensible and do as you’re told.’
‘I can’t really do anything else, can I? They won’t even let me out of bed yet.’
‘We’ll be getting you out of bed later today,’ Susan informed him briskly.
‘Thank God for that.’
Ruby was glad when the nurse left the room so they could talk naturally.
‘So how are you really feeling, Zack?’ Ruby asked.
‘Awful. But at least I’m alive. And that nutcase has been arrested.’
‘Poor woman,’ Ruby said. ‘She’s obviously mentally ill.’
‘Probably. But she needs professional help.’
‘Has anyone else been in to visit you yet?’ Sebastian asked.
‘No. You’re it.’
‘Do you want me to tell the others at work? I could send out a blanket email.’
‘Not yet. Maybe in a day or two.’
‘By then it’ll probably hit the news and they’ll know anyway.’
‘Hopefully not. I asked the police to keep it quiet. And the hospital.’
Sebastian nodded. ‘Good thinking.’
‘From the sounds of things,’ Ruby said, ‘you definitely won’t be out before Christmas. That’s only four days away.’
‘You’re right there. The doctor says I’ll be here for longer than that.’
‘That’s a shame,’ Ruby said. ‘But we’ll come and visit you on Christmas Day. Bring you lots of presents.’
‘Nah. None of that. We never exchange presents at Christmas, do we, Seb? But I tell you what.’ He directed this at Sebastian. ‘Bring me a couple of books from your rather extensive library. Thrillers, preferably. And soon. There’s nothing on the TV at this time of year except cricket,’ he said, pointing up to the TV mounted on the wall.
‘Will do,’ Sebastian said. ‘I’ll bring you a couple tomorrow.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I can’t come tomorrow,’ Ruby said. ‘I have Janice and Tom coming, and lots of housekeeping things to do.’
‘I’ll still come,’ Sebastian said just as nurse Susan hurried in.
Truly, did she have any other way of moving?
‘I have to do Mr Stone’s observations,’ she informed them. ‘I suggest you step outside for a minute.’
Ruby stood up and went with Sebastian into the corridor, having noted his face had gone a bit ashen.
‘You all right?’ she asked him.
‘Yeah. I’m fine. Hospital procedures still get to me a bit. It’s crazy, really.’
‘No, not at all,’ she said gently, and placed a soothing hand on his arm. ‘Bad memories.’
He covered her hand with his and smiled at her. ‘When we’re finished here, Ruby, would you come shopping with me, help me buy my mother a few Christmas presents? Gloria and I don’t exchange presents any more. And I always just give the boys money. But Mum likes her presents and I never know what to buy.’
Ruby smiled back at him. ‘So what lucky lady usually does the honours for you?’
‘My PA. Or Gloria. But I just know you’d be better at choosing. You get people, Ruby. You really do.’
Ruby felt her heart flutter with his compliment. ‘I do my best.’
They had a lovely few hours during which Ruby found all sorts of interesting gifts for Frieda, the CBD having a wide range of shops. After they returned their parcels to the car, Sebastian suggested lunch. They found a place that wasn’t too busy, both of them sitting down with slightly weary sighs.
When the waitress brought their order, conversation was suspended for a couple of minutes. Unfortunately, silence had a way of bringing Ruby’s worries to the forefront of her mind. She wasn’t a girl who liked to dwell endlessly on worries if she could talk about them, so once Sebastian had finished his meal she spoke up.
‘Would you mind if I ask what you see happening once Georgia returns?’
Sebastian frowned, then picked up his coffee for a swallow before answering.
‘I’m sure we’ll have sorted something out by then,’ he said.
Ruby frowned as well. ‘That sounds rather vague. I like to know where I stand, Sebastian.’
‘Yes, I can see that. But could we have this conversation again after Christmas?’
Ruby hated procrastinating but she could see that perhaps Sebastian wasn’t sure what he wanted at the moment.
‘I suppose so,’ she said. ‘But trust me when I say, Sebastian, that we will be having this conversation again. I need to know where my life is going.’ And when my heart is going to be broken, came the suddenly depressing thought.