“He sustained injuries through the impact, but no broken bones.” The nurse spoke slowly. “You’re Sophie, yes?”
I nodded.
“He asked for you several times when he got here.”
“Can he hear me if I speak to him?”
She shrugged. “We think so. Some patients when they wake will remember things that have been said. Others don’t.”
“He will wake up, won’t he?”
She smiled. “That is most likely. There is swelling on the brain – we scanned as soon as we could, but it should reduce. He’s much more comfortable now and his blood pressure is returning to normal. We scan again in the morning. If that is good we may start the process of waking him up.” She looked at me seriously. “It was an accident. A bad road. The lorry skidded. It could’ve been much much worse. He is lucky.”
“Can I sit with him?”
She pointed to a chair. “I will bring you a hot drink. Tea?”
I nodded. I’d take anything at this point.
Andrew came and went, checking on me as much as Liam. Seph popped in and briefly told me he was checking into a hotel, telling Liam about some football results.
I stayed in the same chair, drinking whatever the nurses left me with, stroking Liam’s hand and telling him everything I’d never told anyone before.
At some point I fell asleep. It was not a calming sleep but one filled with nightmares and the sound of electric beats.
* * *
Weak light dropped in through the windows when I woke. There was little daylight in Iceland at this time of year, so I knew I must’ve slept late and fitfully. My neck ached and I was uncomfortably upright in an unfamiliar chair.
Liam’s bed was gone but his father sat on a stool near the window.
“He’s gone for a scan. We didn’t want to wake you.” His words were soft. Gentle. “Seph’s gone for breakfast. You should get something too.”
I rubbed my face, trying to find some words. Exhaustion felt like a ton of bricks had been dropped on my bones.
“I will.”
Andrew laughed quietly. “Stubborn. Like my wife. She sends her regards, by the way.”
“Does she mind you being here?”
“No. She understands. Thankfully I married the world’s kindest woman. He had a good night, by the way. You were sleeping still when the doctor came in. Signs are good.”
He was definitely more relaxed than yesterday.
“Go and get something to eat, Sophie. And a coffee. If Liam wakes up and sees you like that, he’ll wonder what dimension he’s ended up in.”
I could’ve taken offense and some people I knew would’ve, but I wasn’t some people. “I should go and shower too.” I felt disgusting. “Where’s Seph?”
“There’s a coffee shop across the road. He’s checked you into a hotel next to it.”
I managed to pull stiff bones off the seat. Before I left the room I headed over to Andrew, leaned down and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For being a good dad.”
