Nineteen
Bel listened to the phone as it rang before Emma answered. ‘Hey,’ Bel said. ‘How’s things going?’
‘Better today. He’s saying a few words and the doctors are happy that he’s got a bit more sensation in his feet and legs. They’re going to move him to the rehab ward tomorrow.’
‘That’s great news,’ Bel said, relief rushing through her.
‘Yeah, it is. They’ve warned me he might relapse a bit for a while, in terms of being able to follow commands consistently, doing things today that maybe he won’t do again tomorrow, that kind of thing. It’s just the way it is with this recovery thing. It’s going to be a long, slow process.’
‘Are you doing okay?’ Bel asked softly.
‘Yeah,’ Emma said, sounding weary. ‘I mean, it’s exhausting but I’m not even doing anything, just sitting beside his bedand holding his hand and talking to him non-bloody-stop to try and jog his memory. It’s probably driving him crazy.’ She gave a weary chuckle. ‘I miss the kids so much, but I can’t leave him yet. Even with his family here, I just can’t do it. I have this feeling that he needs me to be here or he might just … give up.’
‘Oh, Em. He’s not going to do that. He loves you and the kids so much. He’ll keep fighting to get through all this. The kids miss you too, but you have to do whatever you need to do. They know you’re down there helping their dad. They’re doing fine. I promise.’
‘I know they’re in good hands. And honestly, I don’t want them down here, seeing him like this … If he keeps making progress, then I’ll bring them down, but it’s just too soon. He’d hate them to see him and get upset by it. It’s hard enough for me seeing him this way, I can’t even imagine how the kids would handle it.’
‘Whatever happens, they’ll accept it. Kids seem to adapt to things,’ Bel said, thinking back to how well they’d accepted her moving in with them. ‘But for now, just focus on you and Craig.’
Bel heard her let out a fortifying breath and imagined her friend straightening her shoulders and regrouping. ‘So, what’s new there?’ Emma asked. ‘The kids sounded better today. Happier.’
‘Yeah, they’re doing really well. They miss you both, but we’ve managed to keep them distracted most of the time. I think that’s helping.’
‘So I’ve been hearing. The kids are full of Aunty Bel and Uncle Dean stories.’
Bel automatically thought back to earlier and squeezed her eyes shut. It was all so new and unexpected, but she’d never kept anything from her friend before. ‘I slept with him,’ she blurted before clamping her lips shut firmly.Oh God, why did I do that?
‘It’s about time.’
‘What?’
‘Seriously, you two have been dancing around this whole attraction thing for ages.’
‘That’s not true. I could barely stand him before I left.’
‘You told yourself that. Everyone else could see what was really going on.’
‘How nice for you all to have such clarity about something I had no idea about.’
‘Don’t get all snitty. You clearly had to learn a few life lessons before you were ready to see the truth. But now you have and I am beyond excited for you both.’
‘Calm down. We’re not engaged. We had … a moment.’
‘Everything will fall into place.’
‘Or not. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.’
‘But it is a big deal. I mean … how was it?’
‘It was … pretty amazing,’ Bel admitted. ‘He’s been so great with the kids, helping with everything. I’m not sure I could have handled all this on my own.’
‘Sure you could. But I’m glad you didn’t have to. I can’t tell you how much of a load it’s taken off me to know the kids are okay.’
‘Just concentrate on getting that man of yours better. Don’t worry about anything out here.’
Bel ended the call and stared down at the biscuits. There were other people with bigger problems than her. And to think she’d been stressing over something as mundane as baking.
‘You should be onMasterChef, Aunty Bel,’ Ayla said, reaching for her third biscuit later that afternoon.
