On the phone, Ruby Gregory let out a disappointed "oh."
Madeleine could sense Ruby's dejection and asked softly, "Do you need something from my brother?"
"Yes." Ruby admitted candidly, "Madeleine, if your brother comes back to the country, please let me know. I have something to discuss with him."
"Mhm, okay."
Ruby didn't rush to hang up the phone but changed the topic instead, "Madeleine, how have you been recently?"
"I've been alright." Madeleine's tone sounded very calm. Following Ruby's conversation, they continued to chat about other things before hanging up the phone.
The room once again fell quiet. Madeleine lay back in bed, feeling a bit muddled - how many times had she told people so nonchalantly that she was okay?
She didn't know if it was the repetition of that phrase that had a hypnotic effect, but she actually started to feel pretty alright.
As in the past, she still had trouble falling asleep. At some point during the night, she heard the front door open.
