Rayah stretched, still feeling achy. She’d been told she’d need to rest for the next few weeks, take it easy. She’s also been working out when exactly she could go back to work, although the head teacher had told her it wasn’t happening until the doctors had signed to say she was well enough.
“IknowAlex knows more than he’s letting on.” She shook her head, also knowing that she couldn’t say anything about it.
The door opened to the room she’d been given and Sorrell and Zack appeared, hands entwined. She felt empty inside, wishing that Jonny was here now, just missing him.
“How’s the heroine?” Zack said, giving Jake a slap on the back that sounded harder than it needed to be, although it was Jake, which was generally all the excuse that someone needed.
Rayah rolled her eyes at him. “I should’ve ran back to town with Kayleigh.”
“Maybe,” Sorrell said, sitting down. Her bump was huge now. “Maybe you did the right thing because if you had, they might’ve gotten hold of both of you. However, you’re now both safe. That’s all that matters.”
“So speaks the rational counsellor.” Rayah glared at her.
Zack laughed. “Rational about everything apart from what crib to buy. I swear football managers spend less time considering their starting eleven.”
The conversation descended into one about sport and then alpacas, which had been breaking into the grounds of the nursing home that Zack ran again.
Rayah arranged her own pillows and sat back, feeling a little sleepy. She’d had enough of being in hospital, the clinical noises and unnatural silences weren’t something she’d ever be used to, but she wasn’t overly keen on being on her own at home either, not since she’d become so used to the noise and bustle of Jonny’s house.
The door opened again and the tall man she needed more than water came in. He had flowers and he was smiling at her, not even glancing at her family.
“Hey,” he said, coming over to the bed.
She wondered if he was going to kiss her in front of everyone. Everyone knew; her cousins had all had several comments to make about it, plus Gran and the other visitors she’d had to her hospital room. He’d declared in front of everyone that he was in love with her, and told her straight after. But since then he’d been giving her space.
Rayah smiled up at him, hoping that he would touch her in some way. Then she remembered who the fuck she was and reached up putting her arms around him and watching him intently to see if he flinched or hesitated.
What she saw made her chest explode a little. He smiled broadly, his eyes lighting up and she knew that had they been alone his chuckle would’ve been dirty enough to need disinfecting. He met her more than half way and kissed her, a slow, simple kiss that told her what she needed to know and made everyone else in the room disappear.
“Get a room.” It was Zack who was loud enough to remind her that they weren’t on their own.
“They have a room,” Sorrell said. “I think we should leave them to it.”
“But we’ve come to see Rayah… ouch!”
Rayah figured that Sorrell had somehow maimed him.
“If we leave now we can catch the second half of the rugby game at Scott’s.” Jake had stood up. Rayah was aware of this, although her eyes were firmly on Jonny still.
“Maybe we should stay here then. This baby doesn’t like rugby.” Rayah knew Sorrell was not going to win this.
“Good point. We’ll go crib shopping again tomorrow,” Zack said.
“You’re working tomorrow.” Sorrell’s tone was accusatory.
“I’ll swap my shift. See you later, Ray. Jonny, join us at the bar if you want.”
Jonny shook his head. “I’m going to stay here. I’ll keep Rayah company.”
Her eyes met her brother’s. Jake was smiling at her and she wondered exactly what he had texted Jonny. She also knew she would never find out.
Jonny sat on the bed until the others had disappeared, Sorrell still complaining about being made to watch rugby.
“I’m glad you’re here.” She interlaced her fingers with his.
“I’m glad I’m here too. You get out tomorrow, don’t you?”
She nodded. “All being well. The doctor needs to check in the morning but I should be good to limp the hell out of here. How are the kids?”
