Before I Saw You(84)

‘Maybe.’

‘Well, you let me know. I’m more than happy to drive you.’

Then came the guilt.

She’s just trying to help.

I don’t need help.

Are you sure about that one?

‘Thanks.’

‘Of course. I love you, Alfie.’

‘I love you too.’





64


Alice





Alice had been discharged from St Francis’s hospital a month after the bandages had come off. It had been a sobering moment when she’d packed up her things and walked out into the world completely alone.

‘Alice, baby, wait.’

Her head instinctively turned. She had to laugh as she watched Nurse Angles willing her curvy frame to move quickly through the crowds in reception.

‘You can’t go without giving me one last goodbye!’

How did she know?

Alice allowed herself to be taken into the nurse’s arms.

‘How did you even kn—’

‘You think I’d let them discharge you without telling me? What kind of woman do you take me for!’ she exclaimed.

Alice couldn’t stop herself from laughing. How wonderful it felt to be held like this again. Not quite the firm muscular frame of Sarah, but with the exact same warmth and care that made her heart soar.

‘Thank you for everything,’ she whispered into Nurse Angles’ soft shoulder.

‘Like I always say, baby, if you need anything just buzz me.’

She nodded, waiting for Nurse Angles to turn and go. Waiting to be left all alone once again. But the woman wasn’t moving.

‘Don’t you need to get back?’

‘Not just yet. I’ll stay and see you off.’

Alice knew there was no point in arguing. The tears came thick and fast as she started to walk away. She could feel the eyes of Nurse Angles watching her, even after she’d turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

Maybe Alfie was right. Maybe she really wasn’t alone any more.

‘Mummy, what’s wrong with her face?’

Alice looked down to see a pudgy little finger pointing straight at her. That hopeful thought had lasted all but two minutes.

‘Samuel. We don’t point at people. And we don’t say such things.’ Horrified, the mother to whom the pointing-fingered toddler belonged almost pushed Alice out of the way in her attempt to run off.

Get me home.

Please, just get me home now.

One silent and equally awkward Uber ride later, Alice was back. She’d kept her head low as she entered through the main door and, ignoring the kind hello from the receptionist, practically sprinted into the lift, jabbing the top-floor button as hard as she could. She couldn’t face any more questions today and she certainly couldn’t risk any more pointing. All she needed was to be in her flat, by herself, alone. As the lift carried her slowly upwards, she couldn’t help but think how strange it felt to be back here. How could it be that on the surface everything looked exactly the same as it always did, yet on the inside everything felt different? Alice was different. It was hard to believe this was really her life.

She opened her front door for three seconds before slamming it shut again.

Holy shit, did I get the wrong flat?

Alice checked the door again.

Obviously this is your flat – it’s the penthouse, it’s the only one on this floor!

Tentatively, she opened the door again, millimetres at a time.

Same beige walls, same bare kitchen, same sterile lounge. Yes, this was definitely hers. An apartment picked straight out of a showroom catalogue. But who were all the cards from? Where had all the flowers come from?

Slowly Alice stepped inside. Who had been inside her flat? Alice wasn’t a ‘give a spare key to a neighbour’ kind of girl. No one in the world had access but her.

That was when she saw it. A note gingerly propped up on the side by the flowers.

Dear Miss Gunnersley,

You appear to be absent and we needed to clear the front desk of your deliveries. The flowers kept dying. I hope you don’t mind that we delivered them to your flat.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Broach

Head of Maintenance



Well, that was one question answered then.

Alice reached for the card next to the note. She recognized the handwriting but couldn’t quite place where from.

Dear Alice,

Sending you lots of get well soon wishes and good energy for your recovery. We all miss you and are thinking of you.

Love Lyla & Arnold

P.S. I hope you like the pot plant. Arnold thought it would be better than flowers as it will last longer (only if you water it though!).

P.P.S. I made Henry order you a weekly bunch of flowers. Serves him right for being a tight bastard! x



Alice laughed. How she would have loved to see Lyla approach that conversation. Poor Henry wouldn’t know what had hit him! A rush of affection surged through her.

She picked off the card attached to the large bouquet of flowers.

Please find these flowers delivered to you on behalf of your colleagues at Coleman and Chase.

Get well soon.



Lyla wasn’t lying – she really had got Henry to pay out!

The final card all but broke her.