Page 51 of Seven Letters

The ICU waiting room felt smaller than before. Adam’s fizzing energy filled it. The meeting had affected him badly. He was constantly pacing, talking, talking, talking, convincing himself of what he needed to believe. Johnny had headed off to do the school collections. Mia and Charlie sat quietly, watching Adam. There was no point in trying to discuss the situation with him because he was so wound up. Like the doctors, they had to wait until he had processed everything and calmed down.

Mia’s phone buzzed and she answered it.

‘Hi, Mia. It’s Pam Neelan here. I’m with Dr Mayhew now and I’m going to review the case. I’ll get back to you when I’ve gone through it all.’

Mia thanked her profusely and hung up. She filled in Adam and Charlie.

‘Fantastic,’ Adam said. ‘I’ve a good feeling about this. She’s worked in the USA, so she’s bound to be right up to the minute. This was a genius move on your part, Mia.’

‘Dr Neelan can only review the facts of the case,’ Charlie said.

‘Exactly,’ Adam said, his movements and speech hyper with anxiety. ‘The facts. That’s all I’m looking for. I’ll go and call Rob,’ he said. ‘I suppose it’ll take time for her to get back to us.’

‘Definitely,’ Mia said quickly. She could do with some time away from Adam, time to think straight. ‘You do that, Adam. You could do with a little break. Think over all they said earlier and have a chat with Rob about it.’

Adam said nothing. He headed out of the room. When he was gone, Mia breathed deeply and leaned back in her chair.

The door opened and Mia shot up straight again, but it was just Angela.

‘Adam popped out?’ she said.

Mia nodded. ‘He needed a breath of air.’

‘Good,’ Angela said. ‘That was a very difficult meeting. Are you two OK? Can I get you anything?’

‘We’re fine, thanks,’ Mia said. ‘Could we spend some time with Sarah?’

‘Give me ten minutes,’ Angela said. ‘Some of the team are in there with her now. I’ll call you when they’re gone.’

‘Thanks,’ Mia said.

Angela left, and Mia looked at her father. ‘What do you think, Dad?’

‘She’s gone,’ Charlie said. ‘I knew it already, Mia. No amount of opinions are going to bring her back.’ He sniffed. ‘My little pet, the light of my life. First your mother and now Sarah. It’s too much, too cruel.’

‘It’s not fair. Oh, God, Sarah!’ Mia began to cry, reached out to her father and pulled him into a hug. They weren’t usually huggers, but she needed him now and he needed her. They were the only two left of their little family unit. ‘I’m here for you, Dad. We’ll help each other. We’ll muddle through – and we have Izzy to look after and mind.’

They clung to each other, crying, until Charlie’s phone rang. He pulled back and answered it. Really? He’s answering his phone now? Mia thought, feeling hurt.

‘Charlie, what’s going on?’ She heard Olivia’s irritating voice booming down the phone.

‘Not good,’ Charlie said, his voice breaking.

‘Oh, Charlie, I’m so sorry. I’m on my way. We’ll get through this. I’m here for you.’

‘Thanks, that means a lot.’ He hung up and looked at Mia. ‘Olivia’s on her way.’

‘Yeah, I heard.’ Mia knew it was silly, they were all grieving, but Olivia’s offer of support seemed a lot more important to her dad than hers and it stung.

‘I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s a great woman. She was very fond of Sarah. They got on well from the beginning. Sarah was always very welcoming and warm, Olivia said.’

Unlike me, Mia thought bitterly.

‘Right, I’ll go down and wait for her outside. Get a bit of air myself. I’ll bring her up to see Sarah.’ His chin wobbled and Mia felt guilty for being annoyed. The man’s heart was broken: did it really matter who he turned to for comfort?

‘OK, Dad. I’ll be here, and don’t worry about Adam. He was just venting when he said he didn’t want Olivia here. He didn’t mean it.’

‘I hate every corner of this bloody hospital. I never want to darken its door again,’ Charlie said, as he shuffled off.

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