Two Kinds Of Truth(71)

I nod and touch my swollen lips with my fingertips.

“Yes,” I say, “we’ve lots of catching up to do, but let’s get back to reality for a while. I’m just so relieved granda’s alive and well.”

Jamie nods. “Aye, the nurse said he’s out of immediate danger, but that it’ll take a fair wee while for him to fully recover.”

“I’m not going anywhere until he’s permanently back on his feet,” I announce, and Jamie breaks into a grin, then grabs my hand and kisses my fingers.

“Ye dinnae ken how happy that makes me to hear ye say so,” he says.

I smile as he lets go of my hand, and as he opens the door, I realise a new chapter in my life is about to begin.

“I’ll walk to the main doors with you,” I say to him as he waits just beyond the door, but as I go out into the corridor, I see the ward manager. “I’ll be right back in a few minutes,” I say to her, and she smiles, then Jamie grabs my hand once again, squeezing my fingers.

We’re just approaching the lift when its doors start to open, then I jerk back when Callum steps out. I’m riveted to the spot and automatically let go of Jamie’s hand. But there’s someone standing behind Callum, and to my horror, Ally steps out, a smartly dressed little boy at her side, and my legs start to shake.

“What are ye doing bringing her here?” Jamie roars, his voice filled with disgust. “Granda isnae fit for any shocks just yet. His heart cannae take it.”

Callum switches his gaze from Jamie to me, then back to his brother, his eyes hard, like pieces of flint, his mouth drawn to a tight thin line.

“Don’t worry yourselves,” he says, “my family will wait in the relatives’ room,” at which my heart contracts, and for a second I fear I’m going to be physically sick. I stare down at the beautiful child holding tightly to his mother’s hand. He’s just as I imagined. Those luscious thick curls and big sea-green eyes make him Callum’s double.

When I realise I’m becoming light-headed, I take a deep breath. “I think I need some air,” I tell Jamie.

“Then let’s go,” he says, and slips his arm around my waist, guiding me into the lift.

“That man looks just like daddy,” Isaac says as we walk past.

“Hmm, that’s your Uncle James,” Ally tells the boy.

“And who’s the pretty lady?” Isaac goes on to ask, pulling at her hand.

Ally turns to face me just as the lift doors start to close. “She’s no one important, sweetie,” and her lips spread into a triumphant smile.

***

I wait in the car until Callum leaves. I still want to see granda, and Jamie’s had to go, to get back to work. I let out a sigh. The thought of being in the same room as Callum, or breathing the same air as him, turns my stomach. I’ve heard about men like Callum, leading double lives, but I never thought it possible. Yet not a million miles away is a man who proved me wrong.

I glance at the clock, then stare out of the windscreen to spot Callum and Ally walking out of the main entrance. My gut tightens and I feel a vein throb in my temple. Isaac’s in Callum’s arms and they’re both laughing, clearly enjoying father-and-son time together. The little boy wriggles in Callum’s embrace and there’s a light step to his walk, almost on tiptoes. Their laughter is carried to me by the wind and I can see the bond they share, a closeness I can only dream of.

A stab of jealousy pierces through my heart, sharper than any blade. I try to keep a tight lid on my emotions as I watch Callum have the life he once promised me. My eyes switch to Ally. Her hair is loose, her fingers entwined with his. They look every inch the happy couple and I close my eyes and push the tears away.

Did I truly love him? I wonder. Yes, for a while, I guess.

They all get into Ally’s white 4 x 4 and I slide down my seat as they head for the exit.

I wait a few minutes, check my rear-view mirror to ensure they’ve left, and then head back inside to see granda.

As I step out of the lift and into the corridor, I put on a painted smile. I nod to the nurse at the nurses’ station, realising it’s no longer the ward manager, then hurry over to granda’s bed. His eyes are closed and I fear he’s sleeping, but when I turn to leave, to creep away, his dulcet tone stops me.

“If ye think ye were only gone five minutes, ye need to buy a new watch,” he says, sarcastically.

I spin on my heels, a genuine grin spread across my lips.

“Sorry, Alasdair; I got slightly waylaid.”

“Ye dinnae say, lass. What’s going on between ye and Callum? He came here with a face like a smacked arse.”

I find it hard to swallow as I move closer to the bed and pull up a chair and sit down. “What do you mean?”

Granda lets out a deep sigh. “I maybe old, lass, but I’m not senile. Things havenae been right between ye two since ye got here. I can always tell when people are unhappy together.”

“Listen. You’re not to worry about us,” I say, picking up the beaker from the table and holding it to his lips. “Here, drink some of this.”

He gently pushes my hand away. “Have ye two reached the point of nae return?”

I lower my gaze, placing the beaker back onto its resting place, struggling to find the right words. “Kind of…I guess.”