Spiralling Skywards: Falling (Contradictions #1)(45)

“Yeah, we have had words about that.” Guess I was wrong.

“As long as you’re aware and are happy to put up with that, it’s fine, but personally, I find it a little disrespectful.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, debating whether I should add my thoughts on Shain, which were pretty on par with Maggie’s. But I had a banging headache and wasn’t sure that I wanted to get into it with Sash right then.

“D’you think he’s a flirt?” Sasha asked. Before I could school my features and come up with a neutral answer, she added, “Great, everyone thinks my boyfriend is a f*cking dick. I can’t wait to sit around the Christmas dinner table now knowing what you all think of him.”

“It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks, it’s only what you think that matters.” Lori told her.

“I’m not an idiot, I’m aware that he flirts, and it has caused arguments, but he’s not a dick. I think he’s so used to me not being around that he forgets to rein it in when I am.”

“Does that not make you worry then? Does it not concern you what his flirting could lead to when you’re not around?” Maggie asked.

“We have a long-distance relationship. There has to be a high level of trust for it to work. In the beginning, I didn’t care too much, then things got serious, and I did. Honestly, I don’t know what to think.”

“What’s the sex like?”

“The best I’ve ever had.” Sasha tells Maggie.

“Yeah, the Aussies are good in the sack.”

I put my hand up in the air. “I can vouch for that.” I then blushed to the roots of my hair when I realised I’d just told my husband’s mother that her son was good in bed.

“Well, if he’s anything like his father, then you should have an eternal smile on your face.” Lori’s comment made my blush deepen.

“On that note, I’m going to bed. Don’t do anything hasty, Sash, you might feel differently once he gets here.”

“Yeah, maybe,” she said with a sigh as she helped me to stand again. The room spun a bit, but I took a deep breath and offered a smile to everyone before making my way upstairs.

***

I had just reached the thirty-two week stage, and according to my obstetrician we were on the home stretch and that every week I lasted without going into labour was a bonus. It had been another long, but good day, and I was sleeping soundly in my bed with Carter spread out next to me when my phone rang. I was so disoriented that I picked up my mobile, saw the screen dark, and then picked up the landline handset. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I had a sharp pain in my temple as I answered the phone with a shaky, “Hello?”

It was amazing how many thoughts could hurtle through a person’s brain in a few seconds. Fully expecting the call to be from Liam, who had gotten the time difference muddled, it took me a few moments to figure out who was actually on the phone.

“Sarah, its Grandad.”

“Nan? What’s wrong, what’s happened?”

“Sarah—” She sobbed down the phone, and that was when the panic really set in. “He’s had a heart attack. I’m so sorry, my love. I didn’t wanna call you, but Luke’s not answering his mobile.”

“He’s still in China. What’s happening? Where is he? Which hospital?” I reeled off questions as I reached for my phone, calling first Liam and then Luke—neither answered. “Nan, where are you? Are you at the hospital? Is there a nurse there or a doctor I can talk to?”

I tossed my mobile down and switched on a lamp so I could move around the room without falling over something. I grabbed the first things I found, a pair of sweats and my UGGs, and waited for Nan to calm down enough to talk or hand the phone off to someone else.

Finally, a nurse got on the line and gave me the name of the hospital before telling me I needed to get there as soon as possible.

Both Maggie and Lori were standing in my bedroom doorway by the time I hung up.

“Grandad’s had a heart attack. I need to go to Suffolk.”

Lori took the empty overnight bag I had in my hand and started pulling underwear and basic clothing out of my drawers. Then she moved to the bathroom and tossed all my toiletries in it.

“I’ll drive you. Mum can stay here with the little man.”

I turned to look at my son who was still sleeping soundly in my bed. That was when I cried.

“I’ve never left him before.” I pressed my fingers to my lips as I spoke.

“He’ll be fine. Get dressed, Maggie,” Lori ordered.

I kissed Carter’s head and face. I breathed in his scent before kissing him again and heading downstairs to where Maggie was already dressed and waiting.

“We’ll take Liam’s car. It’s faster than your mummobile.”

“No, it’s dark, mine’s bigger and safer. There might be deer on the road.”

I kissed Lori, and we were on our way a few minutes later. I called Liam and Luke continuously while Maggie drove, but neither of them ever picked up. I called Nan to let her know we had left, and then I called the hotel where the boys were staying and left a message for them at the front desk. Maggie dropped me at the doors of the emergency department, and with my heart hammering in my chest and on very shaky legs, I walked as quickly as I could to where the nurse I’d spoken to on the phone told me to go. I found Nan alone and pacing in a small waiting room.