“I’m cold. He won’t give me my blankets back.” I felt like a whiny child.
“Well, he’s right. You need to cool down, not warm up. Have you been drinking the water?” I pointed to the empty glass beside me and she nodded in approval and then reached for the jug to fill it back up. “Make sure you get through both jugs by the time I next check on you. We’ve sent for the doctor but I don’t know how long it will take for him to arrive, I’m afraid.”
“How long until he will be back on his feet again?” Gwyn asked.
Before she could open her mouth to respond, Mrs Hopkin let out a piercing scream from downstairs, causing both her and Gwyn to rush from the room.
Using all of my strength I leaned over and grabbed the dresser, using it to steady myself as I raised to my feet. As fast as I could, which was not very fast at all, I made my way downstairs, holding on to anything available along the way to help keep myself upright.
Panicked voices were coming from the back of the house and most of the family were gathered at the doorway of the living room looking into the kitchen. I grabbed Teddy’s shoulder for support and tried to see what had caused the scream and he put his arm around my waist, helping to keep me upright.
“He can't breathe,” Mrs Hopkin cried out. She pushed her way through the children and moved further into the kitchen, allowing me to move into the space she had left. With the better vantage point, I peered over Nan’s shoulder and saw Howell on the tiles, eyes bulging as he clasped at his throat gasping for breath.