Holy shit.Three … four … five messages. The sharp ding of the message tone rang out across the ward. Alice tried to switch the sound off, but her fingers were stiff and aching from physio.
‘What the hell is going on over there?’ Mr Peterson called out.
‘Ruby, are you playing on my phone again?’ Jackie said sternly.
‘No! I promise!’ Ruby whined.
‘Alfie, is that you?’ Sharon asked.
‘Obviously it’s not me. If I had that many friends, I would have bragged about it long before now, trust me. Wait … Alice, is thatyou?’ There was blatant surprise in his voice. ‘Is everything OK?’
Alice was too shocked to care what was going on around her. As she scanned the incoming texts, she couldn’t believe it.
Message from Lyla 24 April 09.02
Holy shit. Arnold just told me what happened. Are youOK? Do you need anything?DONOTFORONESECONDWORRYABOUTWORK. I know it’s pointless telling you because you never stop worrying, but hey, I can try, right? I’ve got everything covered. Please let me know you’reOK. Lyla x
Message from Lyla 25 April 15.35
OK so apparently you’re stable, but I know that when you come round you’ll be at high risk of having a heart attack if I don’t send you some form of update re Hunterland Project. Tim has taken it on. I’m watching him like a hawk and will be on his ass constantly. Really hope you’re OK, Alice. Lyla x
Message from Mum 27 April 08.55
Hope you’re well. M
Message from Lyla 2 May 12.15
Dear Alice, it’s Arnold here. I hope they are giving you lots of hot chocolate and taking good care of you. We all miss you. My day isn’t the same without seeing you! Get well soon. Yours sincerely, Arnold.
Blinking back tears, Alice had to laugh at that last line. Of course Arnold would sign off his text as if it was a letter. Her heart felt so full in that moment it was fit to burst. These people she had so often taken for granted and de-prioritized actually cared about her. They cared enough to message her, and it blew her mind.
There were more texts from Lyla and Arnold, checking in and giving updates on life at the office. Then Alice saw the message that made her heart leap.
Message from SarahBFF28 May 07.50
Hey Al.AREYOUOK? I called your work because you’ve been completelyMIArecently and I was starting to worry and they told me about the accident. Why the hell didn’t you give them my mobile number!? Holy fuck, are youOK? I’m working on getting a flight to youASAP. I love you so much it hurts. Sarah x
Message from SarahBFF28 May 09.30
OKso 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’reOK. I’ve called the hospital but they aren’t saying much. I love you x
Message from RaphBFFs 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 SarahBFF29 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 doingOK, 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.
