A Daughter's Choice Read Online Free PDF

movement.
    Kitty glanced down at her and thought she looked pale. ‘Are you OK?’
    â€˜Don’t like crowds,’ she said, twisting a length of hair round one finger. ‘Can we go?’
    Kitty took her arm and forced a way through but they had not gone far when the girl let out a shriek and collapsed on to the pavement. She went rigid, her eyes staring unseeing up at the sky. Kitty froze with shock. Then the girl began to thrash about, eyes rolling in her white face. Her breathing sounded terrible and for a moment Kitty thought she was going to die. She guessed the girl was having some kind of fit and remembered hearing there was a danger of the tongue being swallowed and the sufferer choking to death.
    Trembling, she crouched on the pavement, aware that people were skirting round them. What to do? What to do? she thought frantically. What was it she had heard about spoons and them helping people to stop choking? But she didn’t have a spoon. What was she thinking about?
    â€˜Can I help?’ said a voice.
    Kitty glanced up with a relieved expression. ‘Please!’
    The woman crouched beside her and turned Eileen on to her side. She dragged off a scarf and eased it under the girl’s head. ‘Hopefully she’ll be out of this in a minute.’ She glanced at Kitty. ‘Is this her first?’
    â€˜I don’t know. Thanks for stopping.’
    â€˜That’s OK.’ The woman’s clear grey eyes gazed into hers. ‘I’ve seen this happen before. It’s always frightening the first time.’
    â€˜I was thinking I’d need a spoon to put under her tongue?’
    The woman’s mouth curled into a smile. ‘Have you ever tried to do it?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜You could have your fingers bitten off.’ She glanced down at Eileen. ‘She’s coming out of it now. Give her some room.’
    Kitty stood back as Eileen rolled over. Her face was ashen and her eyes dazed. Kitty hastened to reassure her: ‘You’re OK, love. You just had a funny turn. Can you sit up?’
    Eileen did not move or speak.
    â€˜It’ll take a bit,’ said the woman.
    â€˜How long?’ said Kitty in a worried voice. ‘She’ll be soaked with this rain and could end up with pneumonia.’
    The woman hesitated and then said, ‘Do you live far?’
    â€˜Not very. On Mount Pleasant.’
    â€˜I’ll give you a hand to get her home.’
    â€˜Thanks!’ Kitty could not conceal her relief.
    The woman, who looked to be somewhere in her thirties, helped hoist Eileen to her feet and they proceeded to half-carry her to the Arcadia.
    John was in Reception reading a newspaper. He looked up as soon as they entered and hurried towards them. ‘What’s happened?’
    â€˜Eileen’s had some kind of fit,’ gasped Kitty. ‘She’s wet, but if you carry her to her room, love, I’ll be up soon.’
    â€˜Don’t you worry, I’ll see to her.’ He lifted Eileen in his strong arms and left the two women staring after him.
    â€˜Poor kid,’ said the woman, easing her left arm. ‘But what a weight!’
    Kitty’s expression was concerned. ‘I’m really grateful to you. You’ll have a cup of tea, won’t you? It’s the least I can do after all your help.’
    The woman smiled. ‘I didn’t do much. Is she your granddaughter?’
    Kitty shook her head. ‘My cousin’s girl. I was lucky you came along. I didn’t even know she took fits!’
    â€˜That’s the way it goes sometimes. Some families are ashamed to talk about it.’
    â€˜But Annie and I used to be so close … Anyway, let me take your coat.’
    â€˜I can’t stay long,’ said the woman. ‘I’ve a train to catch.’
    â€˜D’you live far?’
    â€˜Southport. I’m Rita. Rita Turner.’
    â€˜Kitty Mcleod, the owner of this