‘Maybe one day. She’s a very busy woman, but I’m sure she’d love to meet you all.’
‘What does she do, sir?’ another shrill voice called out.
‘Actually, she runs her own business. She’s the clever one out of the two of us.’ He smiled. ‘But don’t tell her I said that! Anyway, are there any more questions, or are we good to finish for the day?’
Another small hand reached into the air.
‘Yes, Annie?’
‘Is she pretty, sir?’
Alfie couldn’t hold back his laugh this time. ‘Any questionsnotabout my wife?’
*
The moment the last set of feet had filed out of the classroom, Alfie reached for his phone. He’d made a promise to himself that he would finish on time today. He couldn’t bear to spend a minute longer than needed with his phone on silent.
‘Shit,’ he cursed, seeing the time.
How was it already 4.45? The session had overrun, as it always did. He was trying not to worry, or to let his constant anxiety bubble to the surface and reveal itself to Alice, but he was struggling. The closer they got to the date, the stronger the nerves grew, and the more frustrated she became with him. She’d practically had to hurl him out of the door this morning, for fear he’d voluntarily take a day off sick to be with her. If there was one thing Alfie knew about his wife, it was that she was perfectly capable of handling almost anything by herself. It didn’t stop him fretting, though.
Alfie’s heart lurched when he saw his screen flash.
Message from Mum 30 May 15.45
Alfie, call me when you can. Don’t panic, but you just need to get to the hospital as soon as you can. Love you x
His heart was already trying to force its way out of his chest. He knew he should have stayed home. He could tell she was feeling off, even under the persistent smiles and reassurances. Shaking, he dialed his mum’s number and hurtled out of the room.
‘Mum. What’s happening?’ he shouted the second she picked up. He tore down the corridor, nodding frantically at teachers and students as he passed.
‘Jesus! At last! Thank goodness I took my phone with me to the café today, otherwise who knows what would have happened,’ his mum babbled on. Alfie tried to keep his cool, but he could feel the pressure mounting in his head.
‘Is she OK? Tell me she’s OK?’
‘Oh, she’s fine. Nothing to worry about. They just had tobring her in sooner than expected.’ Alfie appreciated how calm his mum was being, but even he could sense the apprehension in her voice. ‘How quickly can you get here?’
‘I’m on my way. I won’t be long.’ He didn’t even wait for a goodbye before hanging up and rushing out of the door.
She’ll be fine.
She’s in the best possible hands.
Breathe, Alfie. Just breathe.
Thoughts were racing through his mind and he knew if he was ever going to be able to drive, he needed to calm down. As he flung himself into his car, he rested his hands on the steering wheel and closed his eyes. What was it Linda had taught him to do in these moments? Breathe in for four. Hold for four. Out for four. Hold for four. He managed two rounds before the adrenaline coursed through his veins once more and he knew there was no more time to waste. He had to get to Alice.
*
Unfortunately, the early-evening traffic rush had other ideas. The usual twenty-minute journey ended up taking just over an hour. The entire time, Alfie had to force himself to remain in the car and not abandon all rationale and attempt to run there. Thankfully, the moment he arrived, he knew exactly where to go. Sometimes he wondered whether he would ever be able to forget the layout of the hospital that had once been his home. They had chosen St Francis’s not only because it was the closest to them, but because they both knew deep down that they wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere else.
As he hurried through the foyer, sweat poured from every inch of him and his leg with the prosthesis was starting toache. But he didn’t stop. Not even to apologize to the people he banged into as he unceremoniously pushed his way through the crowded reception and along the corridors. His phone continued to vibrate in his pocket, but there was no time to answer. He needed to see her. He needed to make sure she was OK.
‘Excuse me, sir, are you all right?’ a nurse called out after him.
‘Yes, sorry, just need to find my wife,’ he shouted back, not even bothering to turn his head to look at her. Then he saw it. The sign above the door at the end of the corridor. He’d made it. But what would he find on the other side?
Don’t think like that, Alfie.
