‘Oh yeah, because I’m not already using that, am I? Plus, that tiny tube would just about cover my arm.’
‘Only trying to help.’ He waggled the tube at her one last time before it disappeared behind the curtain again. ‘And you’re sure you don’t want me to call anyone if something goes wrong? Not even Sarah?’
‘No. If anything really bad happens, the hospital will call. I don’t want her worrying. Trust me on this.’
Alice didn’t want Sarah to be contacted unnecessarily. There would be no point. Whatever challenges Alice faced, she would deal with them without the need to worry anyone else. She hadn’t completely forgotten how to fend for herself.
‘I don’t agree at all, but I’ll do as you say.’
‘Good. Alfie?’
‘Yes?’
‘I need to ask you to do one more thing for me.’
‘You’ve got my full attention, Miss Gunnersley.’
If only he knew that this was really not the time for flirting.
‘I need you to promise me that no matter what happens during the operation, you won’t come and visit me.’
‘Hold on. What?’ He couldn’t hide the shock from his voice.
‘I mean it. Please don’t come and visit me. Not even if …’
‘Alice, stop! You can’t mean that. I—’
‘Alfie.’ Her voice stopped him dead in his tracks. ‘If things don’t go to plan … I want you to remember me as you know me now. I want you to remember me like all those beautiful words you said to me that night. Please. Promise me.’
He hadn’t made a sound in what felt like minutes.
‘Alfie, please?’
‘Fine. I promise, Alice.’
‘No matter what?’
‘No matter what.’
56
Alfie
He held her hand until the very last moment he could.
Everyone had been asked, as per protocol, to close their curtains while they wheeled her away. How tempted he was to leave just a crack, a tiny sliver of a gap for him to steal a glance at her before she left.
But a promise was a promise. No matter how painful it was.
Please keep her safe.
Please keep her safe.
Please keep her safe.
He whispered the words over and over into his pillow, hoping that if he said them enough times, with enough conviction, someone somewhere would hear his plea.
It must have been around 10 o’clock when Alfie heard the padding of footsteps approaching his bay.
