Before I Saw You(19)

‘Good news? It’s amazing news! This is a woman who hasn’t spoken in weeks!’

Why was she looking at him like that? Why wasn’t she exploding with excitement? Surely this was what the whole nursing staff had wanted?

‘Alfie, I know that look in your eyes. Of course it’s great that she’s started to speak, and over time, little by little, I’m sure she’ll say more. But don’t go obsessing over this, OK? You can’t force it. Let her be, honey. Please, we spoke about this, remember?’

Alfie dropped his gaze to the floor. His shoulders slumped as all of the enthusiasm fell out of him. His childish excitement now felt a little embarrassing.

‘I know. I just thought it was good progress.’

What was he expecting, a gold star?

‘It is good progress, of course it is!’ She placed her hand on his shoulder, delicately steering him back to bed. ‘But like I said, it’s up to her to make the progress. We just have to be there when she’s ready. Plus, you need to focus on looking after yourself. Try and get a bit more sleep, will you?’

With the wind firmly knocked out of his sails, the exhaustion from his sleepless night hit him hard. He climbed back into bed and allowed his mind to drift aimlessly.

‘Pssst. Alfie.’ He heard a whisper close to his ear. ‘Alfie, wake up!’ Ruby’s high-pitched voice screeched in his ears.

‘Yes, Ruby? You’d better have a good reason for waking me up, young lady!’

‘You’re going on a walk. Mr Peterson told me to come and tell you,’ she said decidedly.

‘Now, Ruby, that’s not what I said, was it?’ The grumbling tones of Mr Peterson grew louder as he walked towards Alfie. ‘I told you to tell him to get his lazy arse up and out of bed.’

Ruby giggled. ‘But Mum says I can’t swear, Mr P!’

‘Because swearing is for naughty children and grumpy old men!’ Jackie called out.

‘Ach, you people are too soft on children these days. Anyway, you coming, boy?’ His old friend was standing over him now and Alfie knew there was no other answer than yes.

‘Fine, but give me a second. I may be younger than you but I’m still a little rusty.’

Soon they were ambling along the corridors. Sharon had unceremoniously invited herself yet again, and Alfie knew that could only mean one thing. She wanted gossip.

‘So, how are your attempts at befriending the silent one going then, Alfie?’ He knew everyone found it hilarious that he was trying to speak to his neighbour, especially Sharon.

‘Well, she’s actually speaking now, so it’s obviously doing something, isn’t it!’ he replied smugly.

‘I’d hardly call it speaking. She’s said, what … less than ten words?’

‘To be honest, Sharon, if I had the choice I’d probably say less than five to that annoying git.’ Mr Peterson jabbed Alfie with his elbow. Alfie knew he found Sharon’s incessant questioning mildly frustrating too.

‘Look, I’m not trying to put a downer on anything. I just wonder how long it’s going to take for her to act like a normal human being, and for everything to go back to how it was.’

‘You mean for you to get all the attention again?’ Mr Peterson winked at Alfie. By God, this man was a professional pot stirrer.

Sharon whipped her head round and shrieked, ‘How dare you!’

‘You know I’m only kidding.’ A knowing look passed between the two men. ‘Anyway, I reckon Alfie can get her dancing down the corridors in the next two weeks.’

‘Hmmm.’ Sharon folded her arms unforgivingly. ‘I’d like to see you try.’

‘I’m not playing this game with either of you. She’s a person, not a toy. I said I’d help Nurse Angles with making her feel more comfortable, and that’s it.’

‘Ooooh, look who’s getting all high and mighty.’ Sharon let out a piercing cackle. ‘Don’t worry, Alf, I wasn’t asking you to lower yourself to our standards. Now, do you want a hot chocolate or not?’





17


Alice





The fact that her neighbour had not even attempted a hello the next day was not just a massive relief but also quite a surprise. Alice had been certain that he would be jumping at the chance to try to get her to speak again, but no. For the entire day her neighbour stayed clear of her, spending most of his time up and about with the other patients. Normally Alice didn’t mind listening to the comings and goings of people on the ward; as long as they left her alone it didn’t matter too much. But today she felt a pang of separation. Maybe the thoughts of Sarah yesterday were making her nostalgic, or maybe the physio session she had coming up in a few days was making her more emotional than usual. Whatever it was, Alice craved to be anywhere in the world but in this depressing hospital bed on her own.

If she were to die tomorrow, who on earth would be sad that she was gone? Of course there was Sarah, but she’d upped and left her two years ago to move to Australia. Technically she had a new life with Raph. Maybe her mother, but only because Alice wouldn’t have died quite in line with her expectations. Arnold? Lyla? She was pushing it now. Could she really call them friends?

The thoughts consumed her afternoon, eroding the time with their cruelty. Heaviness grew in her chest, and she willed sleep to come and relieve her of the day.