Page 44 of Seven Letters

‘Yeah, well, I’m not too crazy about you either.’

‘I’m going now.’

‘Great. Make sure you read some more of those boring books about women who saved the world and bore some other poor guy about them.’

‘I hope your brain shrivels up and you die.’

‘At least I’ll have had fun before I do.’

Riley walked away before he could see her cry. That hadn’t gone well at all. She had intended to stand beside her fire, all righteous and angry, and tell Zach what a bastard he was and then he’d be all sorry and remorseful, admire her fierceness and beg her to get back with him.

But instead he’d seemed happy to be rid of her. The things he’d said, they’d hurt, really hurt. Riley felt as if she’d been stabbed in the heart.

Shocko stood on the other path, holding her bike. ‘I guess this day couldn’t really get any worse, huh? What with your aunt in a coma and Zach being a dick.’

Riley climbed onto her bike and pedalled furiously to get ahead. She didn’t want Shocko to see her fall apart.

15

Johnny twisted one strand of hair around another but dropped the third. ‘I give up!’ He threw his hands into the air. ‘Who invented plaits? Seriously, they’re not made for big hands and thick fingers. I’m sorry, love, I’ve made a total mess of your hair.’

Izzy giggled. ‘Daddy’s really bad at them too. Mummy’s the best. I’ll just put on my hairband with the red bow. Mummy likes that one. I can’t wait to see her.’

Johnny patted her little shoulder. He didn’t think Sarah was going to wake up, not today or maybe ever.

Mia was determined to stay positive, but Johnny had seen the grave faces of the doctors and nurses coming in and out of Sarah’s room. None of them looked remotely upbeat. He was praying for good news, but he had a sinking feeling that it wasn’t going to come.

He was worried Izzy would be shocked when she saw her mother linked up to all those tubes and drips. She was an innocent little thing. At her age Riley was already cynical and defiant, but Izzy was all wide-eyed innocence and joy.

When they got to the hospital, Adam was waiting in Reception. Izzy ran into his open arms. ‘There she is.’ He held her close.

‘Is Mummy awake?’

Adam looked over her shoulder at Johnny. ‘No, Sweet-pea, and she might not wake up today, but that’s OK. She needs her rest.’

‘I made a picture for her,’ Izzy said, ignoring what herfather had told her. ‘She’s going to like it. Johnny helped me a bit. Look, Daddy, I put the baby in the picture, too, because he’s part of our family now, isn’t he? Mummy will be pleased about that. Although she told me that I’m her special person and not to worry when the baby comes because she will love me just the same and …’

Izzy talked non-stop all the way up in the lift, gripping Adam’s hand tightly. Johnny could see the fingers of her other hand crushing the top of the painting. She was putting on a good show, but she was terrified. His heart ached for her.

Adam opened the door to ICU Reception and Izzy stepped inside. Mia and Charlie rushed over and made a fuss of her. Everyone was talking over each other, trying to compensate for the fear they felt. Johnny could see Izzy’s grip getting tighter and tighter on her painting.

‘Hey, why don’t we give Izzy a second to catch her breath?’ he suggested.

‘Absolutely. You’re crowding the poor child,’ Olivia said.

‘Supporting her, actually,’ Mia muttered.

‘Izzy, would you like some grapes?’ Olivia offered.

Izzy shook her head. ‘No, thank you. I just want to see Mummy.’

Angela popped into the room. ‘Sarah’s ready now,’ she said to Adam. Then, to Izzy, she said, ‘Hello again, Izzy. Have you come to say hello to Mum?’

‘Yes,’ Izzy said, beaming. ‘I’m coming to wake her up. I have my picture and I’m going to sing. It’s my Communion in two weeks and Mummy needs to be better now so we can finish all our plans.’

‘Well, that’s very exciting.’ Angela smiled at her. ‘Come and see me before you go. I might just have some chocolate for you.’

‘Thank you very much. Mummy likes chocolate too, but she says if she eats too much, she’ll be a roly-poly. But I thinkwhen you’re sick it’s good to have treats. When I had a throat infection, Mummy gave me chocolate buttons to melt in my mouth so they didn’t hurt when I swallowed.’

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