Having all my carefully constructed plans of reuniting a family torn screaming from my grip, I struggled even more to know what to say. Thankfully I think my hesitancy helped to add credence to my hastily formed excuse, the story that was suddenly forming in my mind and on my tongue. Yes, I was under the weather, there was a nasty fever working its way around my friends, causing awful delirium in some cases, and, although clearly over the worst, I still didn"t feel quite right. I was quite fuzzy and confused. A few days of bed rest and I"d be fighting fit once more, I was sure. I was sorry to worry them, but I"d be better soon.
Saturday"s encouragement to stay and be tended by my aunt was repeated with fervour but I declined, not wanting to expose them to my germs any more than I already
