Oh Jesus not again she thought to herself. Barbara skidded to a halt in the entry way of the dining hall. Lynley was sprawled out on his stomach trying to pull himself up to his knees. He managed an inchworm like movement with his hips wiggling slightly in the air before he collapsed back on the hardwood breathing hard. Barbara pushed the chair away and then clambered over Lynley to his other side that wasn't flanking the large table. Her hand rested gently on his lower back.
"Sir? Sir?" Havers asked, her voice high and tinny with anxiety.
"I'm fine. I just missed the chair," he whispered as though it was some big secret. Barbara definitely wasn't going to blackmail him now.
"Sir. I think we need to get you to bed." The glazed look in his eye had returned, but was momentarily replaced by a goofy grin meant to seduce. "Not like...uh..no sir. I didn't mean…" Barbara stammered. Lynley snorted with laughter, and Havers hauled him onto his knees. They stayed like that for a moment, before Lynley stood up. He swayed dangerously but Havers kept a steady hand on his lower back. She was slightly repulsed and VERY concerned by how much he was sweating. Simon! She would call Simon! She mentally kicked herself for not thinking of it sooner. It was slow work getting Lynley up the stairs, ever few moments he had to stop for breath. Barbara waited patiently each time and finally Lynley was sitting on the edge of his bed, sticky with sweat and white as a sheet. Barbara almost touched his forehead, but thought better of it when Lynley replaced his vacant stare with the look of a petulant child. Havers involuntarily backed up a couple paces.
"I'll get you a cup of tea, some water and crackers," murmured Barbara and quickly excused herself.
Lynley took a deep breath and then made short work of stripping off his sticky clothes. He meant to get up and pull on some sweatpants and a jumper, but instead he lay down on top of the comforter wishing the room would stop spinning. Havers would be back in a minute, he didn't want her to see him in just his boxers. The spinning stopped, but was replaced by a curtain of black. Within seconds Lynley was asleep.
Havers was frantically dialing St. James while trying to figure out where Lynley kept any sort of food. She found the tea and kettle, and some leftover risotto in the fridge, but couldn't find crackers anywhere. St. James wasn't answering at work so she rang Deborah at their home. She picked up on the second ring and her cheery voice calmed Barbara a little.
"Barbara, I was just about to call you to see if you and Tommy wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night,"
"That might be difficult considering the boss man is currently laid up with some kind of bug."
"Oh poor Tommy! I hope wasn't in the office spreading that around. That man will work himself into an early grave." Barbara could picture Deborah standing with her hand on one jutted hip. She could shame just about anyone with one flick of her eyebrow. Zero tolerance for nonsense. Barbara loved her.
"Nope I brought him home before we even reached the office. But I was wondering if Simon was around."
"Of course, Barbara. Let me grab him."
"Barbara? Deborah's just been telling me the old boy is sick. Hope he hasn't dragged you down with him?"
"Not yet," Barbara looked over her shoulder praying Lynley had stayed put. If he knew his friend was coming for a check up, he would be mortified.
"Shall I come down and see him then?"
"Yes please, if it's not too much trouble. He's in bed now, but I'm going to sit with him. He's a bit unpredictable at the moment."
"We are still talking about Tommy right?"
Barbara laughed. "Yeah. You wouldn't believe it. He's a bit wrong. Feverish, confused, goofy, and exhausted. Really weak. Can barely manage a few steps without getting winded. It seems to come in waves. I didn't think I was going to be able to get him up the stairs."
"My goodness," said Simon, calm as ever, but intrigued now. "I'll get my bag and be right over. First live patient in a long time."
Maybe don't mention that thought Havers. Deborah could be heard scolding her husband followed by what sounded like a smack on the arm.
"Okay, I'm on my way Barbara. Won't be 20 minutes. Just make sure he doesn't wander, for the time being," the volume of his voice jumped up and down. Barbara suspected he was trying to avoid more playful slaps from his wife.
"Okay, cheers Simon. See you soon!"
The kettle whistled loudly and Barbara blew out a breath, then continued her search for crackers.