Alice shook her head. She couldn’t bear to see what other contraband items she’d sneaked in. ‘Go on, but don’t make a song and dance over it. If Sharon gets a whiff, she’ll be all over us like a rash.’
‘Did someone just call me?’ Sharon’s confused voice rang out across the ward.
Sarah’s eyes were so wide they were practically popping out of her face.
Like two delirious schoolgirls, they crumpled into a heap of laughter.
‘What thehellis going on in there?’
‘The party has officially started, Alfie.’ Sarah sat up straight, grabbed a bottle of Buck’s Fizz and winked daringly at Alice.
‘Don’t. You. Dare,’ she mouthed. It was bad enough she’d brought the stuff in the first place, but to hand it round like chewing gum – that was going too far.
‘Show me what snacks you’ve got then!’ He sounded like such a little child Alice couldn’t resist it.
‘No,’ she shouted defiantly at him.
‘Aha, I see. Like that, is it? Well, how about I tell thenurses that Sarah over there has smuggled bottles of prosecco into the ward illegally?’
‘You wouldn’t dare!’ Sarah shouted.
‘Oh, I would. Now give me some sweets and I’ll keep my mouth shut.’
Reluctantly, Sarah reached into the bag and pulled out some Percy Pigs. ‘Fine. But that’s all you’re getting from us.’
His hand reached through to grab his reward. ‘Let’s see about that, shall we?’
The rest of the day was a heavenly mix of eating, laughing, and Sarah trying to force-feed Alice illegal alcoholic beverages. The nurses came and went, and every single one of them conveniently happened to miss the bag of bottles lying on the floor in front of them. Alice was beyond grateful at how amazing everyone had been by allowing Sarah to essentially move in as a resident while she’d been here.
As the night drew in, though, Alice’s mind started to switch into panic mode.
How long did they have left?
When would she have to go?
Surely she couldn’t stay all night?
Her fears were confirmed when their safe little bubble was burst by the presence of Nurse Bellingham.
‘What have I told you about being on this ward after hours? Am I not making myself clear?’
‘I’m sorry, Nurse Bellingham, it’s just tonight is my last night with Alice, and I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.’
‘But once again you’re breaking protocol, and if you don’t leave in the next minute I’ll be forced to call security.’
‘As much as I find it hard to believe you’re going to wasteprecious hospital resources on me, I’ll go … but just give me five minutes and then you’ll never have to see me again. Deal?’
Nurse Bellingham gave one final defiant look, turned on her heel and left.
‘Argh! How can someone be someanall the time?’ Sarah shook her head in disbelief. Alice could feel the anger bubbling out of her friend. Not exactly the best note to leave things on.
‘It’s fine. Maybe it’s better this way; if it were up to me, I’d be keeping you here all night, and then you might miss your flight tomorrow morning. And that wouldn’t be good for anyone.’
Alice reached for Sarah’s hand. One last chance to feel the lifeline that had been her anchor these last ten days.
‘Since when did you turn so positive?’
‘Since I don’t fancy you being escorted out by security as my lasting memory of our goodbye.’
