‘He did give you a lift here. That was good of him,’ said Blythe.
‘It was but he won’t leave and I’ve got enough to think about. They said she could be in there hours if it’s tricky or if it bursts.’ Vicky seemed on the verge of tears. ‘What if she dies, Blythe?’ Her face searched Blythe’s for some hope.
Blythe was scared on Vicky’s behalf but tried her best not to show it. ‘That’s not going to happen. She’s getting the best care and she’s got the best mum in the world.’
Vicky snorted. ‘I’m a mess. I’m no help to Eden.’
Blythe took Vicky’s hand. ‘You’re a brilliant mum. These are difficult circumstances but you got her here as quickly as possible and she’s being treated already. That’s got to be good. You need to hang on to the positives and try to stay calm.’
Vicky pulled in a deep breath. ‘You’re right. I know that but it’s easier said than done. I need something to stop me thinking about someone cutting her open.’
‘Here’s something to think about. You remember the woman in the dark puffer jacket and a black bobble hat at the fireworks?’
Vicky looked beyond puzzled. ‘Err I don’t know… hang on. Yeah, she spoke to you and then she was talking to Leonora. Actually, she looked like she was trying to escape from Leonora. Why? Who is she?’
‘That’s the million-dollar question.’
*
Blythe managed to keep Vicky’s mind off things for a while by retelling the drama that had unfolded at Sam’s cottage, although she could tell her friend was only half listening as her eyes kept checking the doors. Blythe thought the world of Eden and she was worried sick. She couldn’t imagine what Vicky was going through as her mum. When the doorsdidopen Vicky jumped to her feet only to be greeted by Owen and Sam returning with drinks.
‘Teas,’ said Sam, handing them over. ‘Any news?’ he asked.
‘Thanks,’ said Blythe. ‘No update as yet.’
‘That’s good though,’ said Owen, nodding encouragingly at Vicky, and Blythe was pleased that he was being positive. ‘Because if anything bad had happened they’d have been out to tell you,’ he added, unhelpfully.
‘Bloody hell, Owen,’ snapped Vicky. ‘As if I’m not stressed enough, you rock up and you’re about as useful as a tambourine to a fish. I don’t need it,’ she said, as she started to pace.
‘Calm down,’ said Owen. ‘I said it was good news that nobody had been to update you. That’s positive.’ He looked to Blythe and Sam to back him up.
‘It’s not really helping,’ said Blythe, and Sam shook his head. ‘I know you mean well, Owen, but maybe we should all keep our thoughts to ourselves,’ suggested Blythe.
They all sat in silence for a while, sipping their drinks, the sounds of hospital life taking over – the buzzes and beeps of machines, the swish of curtains and the muffled thud of swing doors.
Owen was scrolling through his phone. He made a sucking sound with his teeth. The others glanced in his direction. When he started tutting, Vicky snapped, ‘What? What is it now?’
‘It says here that the death rate for append—’
‘You should go,’ said Vicky, standing up quickly. ‘All of you are free to leave. I’ll be here all night anyway. You’ve been great. Thank you.’ She splayed out her hands and for a moment Blythe thought she was going to take a bow.
‘Oh, right,’ said Owen, putting his phone away.
‘I don’t like to leave you,’ said Blythe. Nobody wanted to face something like this on their own. She knew it was really only Owen that Vicky wanted to be rid of. ‘I’ll stay,’ said Blythe, and she remained seated.
‘But you’ve got a big day tomorrow,’ said Vicky.
Blythe saw the interest from both Owen and Sam. ‘It’s nothing exciting.’
Vicky’s eyes widened. ‘Don’t let Leonora hear you talking like that. It’s T-Day tomorrow. The big kick-off. It’s the start of Christmas in Holly Cross.’ She seemed to be directing her information towards Sam whose frown deepened with every word. Blythe tried to alert her with a variety of twitches but Vicky was on a roll. ‘There’s a committee meeting bright and early when all planned decorations are confirmed and then everyone goes off to start putting them up. Leonora marches around the village shouting encouragement and co-ordinates whatever display is going on the green. Before you know it the whole of Holly Cross starts to look like a winter wonderland. The lot in the new houses have a bit of a race to see who can get… What?’ Vicky seemed to have finally clocked Blythe’s signalling.
‘Maybe Sam and Owen should go. I’ll stay,’ said Blythe.
Blythe watched as Sam swallowed hard. He didn’t say anything but he looked decidedly paler than he had before.
*
Vicky was chasing Owen with a giant chicken leg when her head felt like it was falling off and she jolted herself awake. She immediately panicked that she’d missed something. Her eyes darted around the small waiting room. Blythe was scrolling through Instagram pictures of what looked like Christmas lights. Sam and Owen had gone. Thank goodness Owen had left. Her feelings for him were very confused. She’d always assumed if she saw him again she’d want to lamp him – that all the anger she’d felt when they’d split up would still be there but it wasn’t. He did aggravate her – that was definitely true – but that connection they’d had was still there and it had pulled at her like they’d been attached by bungee cords. He’d been just the same Owen she remembered before all the animosity and upset. The geeky, chatty boy she’d fallen for. Unfortunately he was also still the inept, tactless person who irritated the life out of her.
