‘You’ll need them, believe me,’ the nurse said. ‘Turn right when you go out of here, then right again and you’ll see all the chairs. Someone will fetch you when you’re ready for the screening.’
Alison nodded and thanked her. She found the seating area almost immediately and was relieved to see Mac patiently waiting for her. Two other people were sitting together, talking quietly to each other.
Mac smiled and got to his feet when he saw her, guiding her into the chair even though her vision seemed perfectly fine at that point. ‘How was it?’
‘Not as bad as I feared,’ she admitted.
‘I didn’t hear the screams,’ he said, winking at her. ‘You were obviously very brave.’
‘Hmm.’ She felt quite wrung out from all the stress and relief, and slumped in her chair, not able to chat.
Luckily, he seemed to understand that, and sat quietly with her, not attempting to engage her in conversation.
By the time she was called again, her vision was a little blurry, and she followed the nurse into the examination room a little unsteadily.
The screening process itself was simple enough, and not that dissimilar to screenings she’d had at an optician’s. There were a few flashes as photographs were taken of the back of her eyes and then it was done.
‘See you in a year,’ the technician said.
Alison wrinkled her nose. ‘If I reverse the diabetes and I’m not on any medication, will I still have to come?’
The technician laughed. ‘Afraid so. We’ve got you in our sights now, so to speak. You’ll get an appointment next year, and then if everything goes well it will be every two years.’
Alison sighed. ‘Fair enough.’
Mac was hovering outside, and he slipped his arm through hers. ‘All okay?’ he whispered.
She nodded. ‘That part was fine. I just can’t see that well. It’s a bit blurry still.’
‘Don’t worry. I won’t let you bump into any doors.’
As they headed through reception to the main doors, someone pushed it open, and she winced.
‘I forgot to put my sunglasses on!’ She rummaged in her bag and found them, thankfully slipping them on. ‘Everything lookswaytoo bright!’
Mac led her to the car and made sure she was settled, even though she assured him she was perfectly fine.
‘So,’ he said, as they drove away, ‘another thing ticked off the list. Well done!’
‘Yeah, I’ve got to admit I feel miles better knowing that’s out of the way,’ she said.
He glanced at her but said nothing. He didn’t have to. She knew perfectly well what he was thinking.
‘On Monday I’ll book that smear,’ she said, feeling a sudden warmth and pride as he gave her an approving look. ‘Another thing ticked off then, isn’t it?’
‘You’re brilliant,’ he told her. ‘I’m so proud of you.’
‘Thanks, Mac,’ she said softly. ‘For everything. I don’t know if I’d have had the nerve if you hadn’t encouraged me. And thanks for bringing me, too.’
‘No worries at all.’
She hesitated. ‘Would it be cheeky if I asked you to stop at my house? I need to check if I’ve had any post and make sure everything’s okay.’
‘Of course. You’ll have to direct me.’
Her vision was blurry, but not so blurry she couldn’t see where she was going. Around a quarter of an hour after leaving the hospital they pulled up outside Alison’s house.
‘Would you like to come in?’ she asked.
