Louisa Heaton – A Child To Heal Them (страница 8)
She went to find the nurse. Rob was standing by the truck with Maria. It looked as if they were counting the medicines.
‘There’s more than enough here to inoculate the entire village.’
Tasha smiled. ‘Anything I can do to help?’
‘It’s probably best if we gather everyone in the same spot to explain what we want to do. Then we can set up a line and treat everyone.’
She nodded. It did seem the best idea. ‘I told Quinn we’d get the tents set up for an overnight stay, too.’
‘Good idea. Perhaps we all ought to get something to eat, as well,’ Maria added.
The tents went up easily—even though Tasha had never put one up in her life. Rob was clear on the instructions and they worked well together as a team. Tasha cracked open some bottles of water, so they could hydrate underneath the hot African sun. Even though it was evening, and everything was a little cooler, they still poured with sweat.
She looked out over the horizon at the vast emptiness, the grey, stony mountains in the distance. It was so different here from in Ntembe. At the port city there was always a sea breeze blowing in—there always seemed to be air and noise and life. Here in Mosa it seemed more solitary, more empty. Quieter. She missed the busyness of people. The safety of numbers.
As she hugged her arms to herself Quinn came to stand alongside.
‘You all right?’
‘I’ve only ever known Ntembe. I thought I knew more. Thought I knew Africa. But I don’t.’
‘It’s a place that can always surprise you. Its capacity to inspire, to fear, to amaze, will always keep you on your toes.’
She looked at him. ‘How are the children doing?’
‘As well as can be expected. I think they were infected earlier than Abeje. They’re sicker.’
Fear welled in her gut. ‘Are they going to die?’
‘Not if I can help it.’
He stared at her, determination in every feature.
* * *
The inoculation line was long, but each and every villager had turned up to receive medication. Tasha could see that Quinn was very happy about that. Neither of them would have liked to leave anyone out, and Ada had been instrumental in speaking to the villagers en masse and getting their understanding and trust, translating to those who didn’t understand English very well.
They sat around a small campfire later in the evening, drinking coffee with Maria and Rob, who soon disappeared for an early night, leaving Tasha and Quinn alone.
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