All he could see in the darkness was Willow’s face.
All he could hear was her sweet out-of-tune voice.
And his heart burned like he was finally alive again.
Chapter 31
Willow
Time passed slowly and one by one the people around Willow began to drift into sleep. Willow couldn’t settle, her arm was throbbing in painful bursts and her head was full of confusing thoughts. Across from her, Willow could hear the labored breathing of Ava and she tiptoed over to check on her. Ava was curled up against Alice. They were both sleeping, although when Willow touched Ava’s cheek, she was alarmed at how warm and damp it felt. Gently, Willow eased the makeshift blanket over her and then padded over to check on Eric.
Janice was sitting next to him, dozing in a chair. She stirred as Willow approached.
‘How is he?’ Willow asked.
‘OK, I think.’ Janice peered down at the curled figure on the floor. ‘His head is no longer bleeding and he’s sleeping. He needs to be checked, of course, but it’s difficult to know how much of this sleep is due to the drinking.’
Willow hated how small and frail he suddenly looked. ‘He needs help,’ she said.
Janice nodded. ‘I go and see him as much as I can. He’s not a bad man, Willow. He misses his son.’
‘I know,’ Willow replied, not really knowing what else to say. Jake needed to be here. But Jake was always too busy doing other things.
She left the pair and moved towards the backroom.
She just needed a few minutes away from everything. Panic was bleeding into her brain, and she realized, as she reached the room, that she was trembling.
This was all too much.
‘Willow?’
She turned. Lucas was there, leaning against the doorframe. He held a flashlight in his hand and the soft light shone up in his face, revealing wide, concerned eyes. His jaw was clenched tight. She saw he had a graze across his cheek. Without thinking, she reached out to touch it.
‘You’re hurt?’
Lucas didn’t move as her fingers brushed his skin. His eyes remained on her.
‘Are you OK?’ he whispered. ‘I wanted to check.’
‘I’m fine. It’s nothing. I just …’ She shook again and dropped her hand. ‘Seeing everyone like this. Poor Ava. I’m worried, Lucas. She might have an infection. And Eric, his head could be bad. What if it’s a bleed or something worse? What else can we do? Should we be doing more?’
‘All we can do is wait now,’ Lucas said gently, placing the flashlight to the side. ‘The storm seems to be easing, and help will get to us.’
As if on cue, the wind blasted against The Diner again, seeming to shake it to its core. Willow cried out quietly and Lucas gripped her softly in his hands.
‘Maybe I spoke too soon,’ Lucas cursed.
‘I hate this,’ Willow replied. ‘The storm, everything—’
‘It’ll be alright …’ he soothed.
‘Will it?’ she croaked. ‘I just feel so hopeless and—’
She flinched as another flare of pain hit her arm. Lucas swore softly. ‘You are hurt!’
‘Only a bit.’
‘Let me see.’
