Before I Saw You(28)
Message from Sarah BFF 28 May 09.30
OK so Raph keeps telling me to calm down and that you’re probably not even allowed your phone on, but please Al just let me know you’re OK. I’ve called the hospital but they aren’t saying much. I love you x
Message from Raph BFFs Husband 28 May 13.35
Hi Alice, it’s Raph. Sarah’s kind of losing her shit over here and has asked me to message to ask you to message her. We’ve rung the hospital a bunch of times and they’ve reassured her you’re alive but you know what she’s like. We are both thinking of you and praying you get better soon. We love you. R x
Message from Sarah BFF 29 May 04.00
Al, I hate you so much right now for ignoring me but I’ve called the hospital and they’ve told me you’re doing OK, and after many arguments they’ve reassured me you haven’t actually been on your phone. We are still coming to see you, will send details as soon as I have them. I love you x
Alice couldn’t get her head around what she was reading.
Sarah was going to be travelling halfway around the world just to be with her.
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. The reality was hitting her hard and the emotions that came with it were uncontrollable.
No. You can’t let her see you like this.
Alice slowly tried to type out a response to her friend, but every stroke of the keypad felt like a gigantic effort. How the hell had she managed to fire off hundreds of emails a day without taking pause for breath? This was why she couldn’t let Sarah visit. This wasn’t the Alice Gunnersley she knew and loved.
Message to Sarah BFF 25 June 13.27
Hi Sarah. I am so, so sorry. I’ve only just got my phone back. No need to worry about coming to visit. Flights will be stupidly expensive and it’s so far! All OK here. Will let you know when I’m out. Love you x
Suddenly there was a movement to her left. Startled, Alice turned and saw a hand reaching through the curtain.
She dropped the phone and grabbed it, squeezing him tightly. She didn’t even bother using her good hand.
24
Alfie
And so they lay, holding hands across the curtain. Alice hadn’t even spoken to him until a few days ago! It was funny how long ago that now felt, how quickly they had fallen into step with each other and how normal – no, not even normal – how good it felt to be holding her. He realized straight away that it was her injured hand clasped in his; he could feel the gauze wrapped around her, creating a rough second skin. Suddenly he was afraid – had he hurt her? Was he holding on too tightly? Then she squeezed him hard and he let the panic settle in his chest.
‘Thank you. Sorry, I just need to wipe my face,’ she whispered and then let go. ‘God, crying is disgusting.’
‘Lucky there’s this big old curtain between us so I don’t have to see it.’ Alfie let his hand linger momentarily before pulling it back across to his side.
‘One of the many benefits,’ she replied, half laughing.
They sat in contented quiet for a few minutes. Alfie’s brain was buzzing with excitement, his skin tingling from the memory of her hand in his.
‘For someone that doesn’t get many visitors, you sure have a hell of a lot of texts. You’re not hiding secret friends back there?’ He prayed he hadn’t overstepped the mark.
‘No.’ She laughed. He breathed a sigh of relief. ‘It’s only a couple of people from work and Sarah.’
‘Who on earth is Sarah?’
There was a slight pause.
‘I guess you could say she’s the greatest person I’ve ever met in my entire life.’
Why did his stomach sink a little when she said that? Surely he wasn’t feeling jealous?
‘Wow! I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me more after a statement like that! Who is this person?’
‘I mean, no matter what I say, it won’t do her justice. She’s one of those people you have to meet in the flesh to really get the measure of. She’s my best friend.’
‘Do you think she’ll come and visit?’ Alfie assumed this must be the mystery emergency contact Nurse Angles had mentioned, who was currently unreachable and halfway across the world.
‘She lives in Australia now so it’s not exactly the easiest trip to make. She said she’d fly in to see me but I’ve told her not to come.’ Her voice was resolute.
‘Well, she sounds incredible.’
‘She’s the best.’ He could hear her voice cracking again. ‘God, I swear I’ve never cried this much in my entire life.’
‘Spare pillows but no tissues over there? I’d complain if I were you.’
He could hear her laugh muffled by some vigorous face wiping.
‘You want to complain, honey? I’ll come and give you something to complain about!’ Nurse Angles’ voice rang out across the ward.
‘At last! Give him one from me too.’ Mr Peterson was clapping enthusiastically.
‘Alfie’s in trouuuble. Alfie’s in trouuuuble,’ Ruby repeatedly sang, as she danced up and down the ward. Sharon whooped and cheered her on in delight.
Alfie sat bolt upright. ‘Hold on a second, since when did it become gang-up-on-Alfie day? You’ve got to give me at least a little bit of warning, team!’