‘And that takes both of them, does it?’
‘Perhaps they just want to check you’re okay,’ he said.
‘I spoke to Dad earlier, where I confirmed that I was completely fine. I’m not feeling fine now though.’ She felt sick.
He gave her a reassuring squeeze. She was going to miss those. ‘Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. You’ve got this.’
Ros took a deep breath and opened the door. Gazza was first inside as usual and overjoyed to see them. She wished she could say the same. Barry gave her a tight hug, but her mother’s embrace was considerably briefer and less effusive. Cameron made a fuss of the dog and her parents went and sat on the sofa. There was definitely something wrong.
‘Can I get either of you a tea or coffee?’ offered Ros.
‘Or something stronger?’ suggested Cameron.
‘Have you got any wine?’ asked Barry.
This was definitely not a good sign. She looked at Cameron and she knew that he was on her wavelength. He gave her a commiseratory smile. Even the eternally positive Cameron had sensed it. ‘I’ll get the drinks; you sit down,’ he said to Ros.
She steeled herself and joined her parents, whereupon Gazza had a renewed bout of excitement at her close proximity. Ros had to admit there was something mollifying about the level of adoration the little canine showed her. She gave him a rub around his ears. She could wash her hands later.
‘You look well,’ said Barry.
‘He means how’s the head injury? Any lasting damage?’ asked Amanda.
‘That’s not what I meant. But anyway, is it all okay now?’ asked Barry.
‘No issues at all. I went back to work today. I’m having my stitches out on Friday. How about you?’ She swallowed hard, braced herself for his response and wished Cameron would hurry up with the drinks.
Cameron had perfect timing as he handed round glasses and put down a bowl of water for Gazza. He sat down right next to Ros, so close she could feel the warmth of his thigh against hers. She was grateful for his presence. She feared this was the bad news she’d been expecting for some time. But to look at her father he appeared bright and well – it was like hope was taunting her.
‘I’ve got something to say,’ said Barry, picking up his wine glass. Ros reached for Cameron’s hand and it was there. Barry noticed the gesture and smiled. ‘I’ve not been entirely truthful with you.’ Ros found she was looking to her mother for some sort of clarification but her deadpan expression gave nothing away. Barry continued. ‘I mentioned to you, Ros, about a drugs trial I’ve been offered at the hospital, and I know you weren’t keen but I signed up anyway. I figured that maybe you were right that they just wanted guinea pigs, but if by being a guinea pig I could help someone else then what did I have to lose? Turns out I had everything to gain. Now don’t go getting excited because this is definitely not a cure but I’ve been on the medication for a few weeks now and the tests show that the cancer is currently under control. I don’t know how much time it will buy me but there’s a bloke in Australia who was the first to use it and he’s still here two years later, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.’
Ros went down on her knees, so she was the right level to give him the biggest hug and she held on tight to her dad. She’d never dared to hope for a miracle but here it was. She wasn’t one for tears but the ones now coursing down her face she couldn’t control. Happiness and immense relief came over her in waves. She wasn’t losing her dad, well, not just yet anyway. She had no idea what the future held but for now she was going to enjoy this moment of respite and be thankful that he’d not listened to her advice.
‘Brilliant news, Barry,’ said Cameron, shaking him warmly by the hand. ‘I’m made up for you.’
‘Thanks, lad. I didn’t like keeping if from you both but I didn’t want to give you any false hope.’ Barry pulled back a little from Ros’s tight embrace. ‘Cabbage, you okay?’
Ros sniffed back more tears. ‘Oh, Dad. I love you so much.’
‘I love you too, Cabbage. Now let’s raise a glass.’
Ros went back to her seat, blew her nose, and Cameron handed her her wine.
‘To the future, however long it may last,’ said Barry and they all clinked glasses.
***
Darla rolled over and for a moment wondered where she was, but Elliott’s warm naked body filled in the gaps. She grinned to herself at the memory of the previous night’s antics. She checked the clock, another hour before she had to get up. She turned over and an alarm went off. Elliott stirred, whacked the alarm and rolled over to face her. It was nice to see him smile for a change. ‘Good morning,’ he said.
‘It’s a bit early.’
‘Yeah, sorry about that. Farming is relentless. It doesn’t stop for anything, not even birthdays or Christmas.’
‘How about a quickie before work?’ she suggested.
‘Oh absolutely. Everything stops for that,’ he said, reaching out and kissing her.
Mid-kiss her phone started going off. At this time in the morning it was either a crisis or more hopefully her boss ringing to say the building had been demolished and she didn’t need to go in. Through the kiss she said, ‘I best see who it is.’
