Page 111 of The Little Board Game Café

‘Emily, isn’t it? You’re not leaving, are you? I’m sure Ludek would love to see you.’

Great. So not only was she beautiful, she was nice as well. But he deserved it; he was the loveliest guy. Emily sighed. She looked over at him lying in the bed. He lifted his hand and gave her a little wave.

Her heart gave a little leap. He was well enough to wave.

‘Come on,’ the dark-haired woman said. ‘Come and say hello. He’s been through a hell of a lot this last week. He needs his friends more than ever.’

His friends. His girlfriend was marking her card. Telling her firmly which category she belonged in.

Still, friendship was better than nothing. She wanted this man in her life, one way or another.

‘I’m Rachel, by the way,’ the dark-haired woman said.

Emily shook her offered hand, the other woman’s skin cool and smooth against her own clammy palms. Then she followed Rachel over to Ludek’s bedside, wondering what on earth she was supposed to say.

Sorry you got run over.

Sorry I ran away after I slept with you.

Sorry you’re with someone else now.

Ludek stretched his hand out to her. The one that wasn’t attached to a drip. Emily looked at his bruised face, his pale complexion.

‘How are you, Em?’ he said, but all she could hear were the sounds of the ward: monitors beeping; the swish of curtains being pulled around beds; someone calling, ‘Nurse.’

The last time she’d heard those sounds…

She bit her lip. Pulled herself together. ‘Never mind me. How are you?’

‘I’ve been better.’

‘How on earth did it happen?’ The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She didn’t really want to know; knew the memories it would trigger.

‘I was out running and this car came from nowhere. He must have been speeding. I was lucky really. My injuries could have been far worse.’ He glanced at Emily. ‘Oh god, Em, I’m sorry. I didn’t think.’

The tears were streaming down her cheeks. Rachel handed her a tissue.

‘No, I’m sorry. It’s just everyone…’

She’d been about to say ‘everyone I love dies’. But she could hardly say that in front of his girlfriend, could she? And besides, he hadn’t died. Nearly died, maybe. But he was still here, living, breathing. Right in front of her.

‘Everyone at the games group is very worried about you.’ What she really meant was, I’m very worried about you.

‘Yes, Alan was in earlier,’ he said. ‘Although he didn’t look that worried. He brought Catan in.’

‘Are cats allowed in hospitals these days?’ Emily sniffed.

‘The game.’

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Who won?’

‘Alan. I’m not thinking straight – I blame the painkillers. He told me about your new café. It sounds wonderful, Em. I can’t wait to see it. As soon as I’m out of here…’

Emily felt a stab of annoyance that Alan had told him her big news. She’d wanted to do that herself. But that wasn’t important. Not really. The main thing was that Ludek was okay.

‘Any idea when that’ll be?’

‘They think the day after tomorrow,’ said Rachel, smiling at Emily and then at Ludek.