Page 143 of Our Secrets and Lies

Lucy stepped forward. ‘I’m hermother.’

‘Perhaps you could step outside so we can talk in private?’

‘Oh, no!’ Shannon cried. ‘Oh, Jesus! Kelly’s dead!’

Sarah grabbed her daughter by the shoulders. ‘She didn’t say that. Get a grip. She didn’t say that.’

‘We’re all beside ourselves,’ Lucy said. ‘Please just tell us all. It’s fine to talk here.’

The doctor nodded. ‘Okay. The good news is that although Kelly is critical she’sstable. The chances she’ll fully recover are very good. She’s weak and needs lots of rest. We’ll be monitoring her closely in the ICU for the next twenty-four hours, at which point we hope to be able to move her to a ward. You can see her in a little while, but it’s probably best to keep visitors to a minimum for the moment.’

Lucy blinked. ‘So you’re telling me she’s going to be okay?’

The doctorsmiled. ‘All going well, it looks that way. The incisions were quite deep and there was significant blood loss, but you found her in good time and got her here, which made all the difference. I’m sure it’s been a huge shock for all of you,’ she said, looking around at their stricken faces, ‘but I think she’ll recover physically. It’ll be the emotional wounds you’re really going to have to dealwith. But we can direct you towards help.’ Her beeper went off and she looked at it. ‘Sorry, have to go. I’ll be back later to let Mum in for a visit.’

She left the room. It was like everyone exhaled at once. Kelly wasn’t going to die.

Lucy walked over to Shannon and grabbed her in a tight hug. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘You really did save her life. I wouldn’t have gone to check on her for ages.If it wasn’t for your quick thinking, Shannon …’

‘Oh, God, don’t say it,’ Shannon said. ‘I’m so sorry. I adore her, and I didn’t help her.’

‘You were her lifeline,’ Lucy said. ‘The rest of us failed to help her, but you didn’t. You are an amazing friend, Shannon. Just amazing.’

Sarah put her arms around the two of them. ‘One big family,’ she said, smiling through tears.

‘That’s exactly whatKelly’s going to need to get through this,’ Jenny said. ‘And we’ll all be there for her. And for you and Dylan.’

Lucy knew they would, but she also knew that what lay ahead wouldn’t be easy. The doctor was right: there were going to be all sorts of wounds from this, and they would take time to heal.

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