‘Yeah, but I can see how it must have looked.’
‘Felix, I’m so sorry for the way I’ve behaved. Turns out my dad was right about me...’
‘Huh?’
‘Never mind. Can we start over again? As friends, I mean?’
‘That sounds like an excellent idea,’ said Felix, taking Sarah’s hand in his. ‘First, we’ve got another friend who needs us.’ He started the engine and pulled out onto the road, Cornwall bound.
Chapter 43
‘What’sthematter?’
‘I hate hospitals.’
Felix took Sarah’s hand, pulling her towards the building. ‘It will be fine. We’re here for Fran, remember.’
Sarah nodded and let Felix guide her towards the entrance. It wasn’t just a dislike of hospitals causing Sarah to hesitate. The thought of seeing Fran made her stomach churn. Shame and guilt mingled as Sarah considered all the ways she’d let her friend down. How had she not seen the signs when in Fran’s home?Because you were focusing on yourself, as usual. It’s always all about you, isn’t it?
‘You OK?’
‘Yeah,’ said Sarah. ‘I’m nervous about seeing Fran, that’s all. I’ve been a crappy friend to her.’
‘We all missed the signs,’ said Felix.
‘I know, but I was so focused on myself, thinking the changes in her were to do with me. If I’d taken my head out of my arse for five minutes, I may have realised what was going on.’
‘Stop being so hard on yourself. Do you mind if we pop into the shop on our way? It feels wrong turning up at Fran’s bedside empty handed.’
Ten minutes later, armed with magazines, flowers and chocolate, Felix and Sarah walked into Fran’s ward. As she approached her friend, Sarah’s heart fluttered, the familiar fizz of panic trying to make an unwanted return.
‘It’s OK,’ said Felix, squeezing Sarah’s hand and giving her a reassuring smile.
Fran’s head was down, her eyes fixed on an iPad in front of her. When she looked up and saw Felix and Sarah, her face lit up. Sarah took a sharp intake of breath. Other than the wide smile, Fran was unrecognisable. Her face was black and blue, one eye disappearing beneath puffed folds of skin.
‘I’m glad to see you two are friends again,’ she said.
‘Fran,’ said Sarah, perching on the edge of the hospital bed and staring down at her battered and bruised friend. ‘I’m so sorry for everything. I’ve behaved like a spoiled brat. The way I treated you, the way I treated all of you, is unforgivable.’
‘Don’t be daft,’ said Fran. ‘I did a good job of hiding my problems. You weren’t to know.’
‘And how are you now?’
‘Alive,’ said Fran, taking Sarah’s hand. ‘But I’m afraid I won’t be up to much in the kitchen for a while yet.’
‘You,’ said Felix, pointing a finger at Fran, ‘should not be thinking of work right now. Take all the time you need to get yourself well again. Sarah can hold the fort.’
‘And your job will be ready and waiting as soon as you’re better.’
‘I’m sorry you got dragged back here,’ said Fran. ‘I know you were hoping for a fresh start.’
Sarah laughed. ‘What I was doing was running away from my fresh start, throwing it away. Now I’m back where I belong.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ Fran tried to heave herself up against her pillows, but didn’t have the strength.
‘Here,’ said Felix, tucking his arms beneath Fran’s. ‘So how are you?’
‘Sore. I don’t want to talk about what happened if that’s OK? Kate’s given me the name of a counsellor to talk to when I’m ready.’
