Before I Saw You(40)

‘I can see why she’s your best friend. My God, she’s a whirlwind.’

Alice grinned; he sounded like an awestruck little boy.

‘Yeah. I think she might even have more energy than you.’

‘Absolutely not! There is no way I’m accepting that. You can’t judge her performance on one day – the real test is how she fares after spending ten days in this place.’

‘That is very true, although I still back her.’

‘How predictable. Always underestimating me, aren’t you?’

‘I wouldn’t dare, Alfie …’

‘Hmmm. I’m not quite sure I believe you, Miss Gunnersley.’

‘Goodnight, Alfie.’

A smile lingered on her lips.

‘Goodnight, Alice.’

*

‘Ladies, I need your help.’

‘I’m sure you need many people’s help. What’s up?’

The next day, the rapport between her two friends was so natural that Alice had to remind herself they’d only just met.

‘Sarah, don’t even ask. It’s going to be a stupid crossword clue.’

‘Well, I won’t be asking for your expertise in the future then, will I? No more puzzle fun for you.’

The thought of him turning his nose up in defiance made her smile.

What do you look like, Alfie Mack?

Would Sarah laugh at her if she asked? Of course she would!

Why do you even care?

She didn’t care so much as she was simply curious.

Sarah’s voice cut her daydreaming short. ‘Come on then, what’s the clue? And if it’s simple, I’m going to be really pissed off.’

‘It’s probably simple for a mind like Alice’s, to be fair.’

‘Flattery will get you nowhere, Alfie. I’m not going to indulge you in this game.’ She wasn’t in the mood for his charm.

‘Fine, be like that. So, Sarah … we are looking for a five-letter word. Clue is “long-term prisoner”.’

‘A-L-I-C-E.’ Sarah laughed at her own joke.

‘That’s a good one! But unfortunately not quite the answer we were looking for.’

Alice scowled at her friend.

‘What? Don’t give me that look. You’re the one that apparently refuses to leave this bloody cubicle.’

‘Excuse me?’

Who the hell told her?

‘The nurses told me this morning on my way in.’

Alice’s eyes widened.

‘Don’t look at me like that – I wanted to know how you were really getting on.’ Sarah nudged her affectionately. ‘There’s nothing stopping you getting yourself up and out! You know I’ll be right by your side if you want me to.’

Here they were: the first signs that Sarah wasn’t going to go quietly.

Alice looked at her friend with all the ‘don’t start this now’ energy she could muster.

Sarah raised her hands. ‘OK, we’ll leave it for now,’ she whispered, and then kissed her on the forehead. ‘Alfie, I really don’t give a shit about your crossword, but if you must know the answer is “lifer”, and I suspect you’ve already guessed that because it’s bloody obvious, BUT what I am interested in is how you’re going to keep Alice in the manner she’s now accustomed to after I leave?’

God, Sarah was relentless. And quick. Without breathing, she’d changed tactics and was charging full speed ahead, not giving Alice any time to rein her in.

‘You’ve only just got here!’ Alice exclaimed.

‘I know, but I want to give Alfie here adequate time to make arrangements.’ There was a devilish glint in her eye that made Alice’s heart sink.

‘And what manner is that?’ There was a playful note in his voice that Alice was not a fan of.

‘Well-fed, entertained and adored.’

‘Right. Duly noted. And yes, lifer is correct, well done.’ Both girls rolled their eyes at each other. ‘I’ll have to come back to you on the answer to your question. Even if I had two legs, I wouldn’t be able to go and get takeout for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. But leave it with me. I have other skills that can be of use, don’t you worry.’

‘I’m actually kind of worried now,’ Alice cut in, punching her friend on the arm. ‘What the hell are you doing? He’s going to go to town now!’ she whispered.

‘Of course he is. That’s the whole idea, my love.’

‘Alice?’ The nurse’s voice from outside her curtains sounded cautious. Although she was now speaking and, God forbid, laughing, the team on the ward still seemed wary of her. How difficult had she really been to look after? she wondered.

‘Yes?’

‘The doctor is here. Can we come in?’

‘Of course.’ Alice felt her body stiffen as she sat up a little straighter. She never liked it when he visited.

‘Hi Alice, how are you doing today?’ Mr Warring had his gaze fixed firmly on the notes in front of him, and didn’t quite clock the new visitor sitting on Alice’s bed.

‘I’m OK, thank you. Is it all right if my friend Sarah stays for this?’

His head jerked upwards. His face twisted with shock, confusion and delight all at once.