Page 88 of Seven Letters

Rob smiled. ‘I hope so. We’ve only been married two years, but we definitely want children. I’d be the happiest man alive if I had a gorgeous little girl like you.’

Izzy smiled. ‘I hope you have babies soon. I want more cousins. I only have Riley. I was a bit worried at first abouthaving a little brother, but now I’m excited. I think it’ll be fun.’

Somehow Rob managed to keep his face blank. He busied himself placing the book on the locker beside Izzy’s glasses. As he stood up to go Izzy called him. ‘Uncle Rob?’

‘Yes, sweetheart?’

‘Do you remember your mummy?’

Rob shook his head. ‘No, she died when Adam was three and I was only a few months old.’

‘That’s so sad. Was your daddy able to look after you and make your school lunches?’

If only you knew, he thought. ‘Well, to be honest, Adam and I did a lot for ourselves growing up. Dad was working. Adam was the best big brother ever. He always looked after me. You know he’ll always look after you, don’t you?’

Izzy nodded. ‘Yes, but I want Mummy back.’

Rob came back over and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Oh, love, I know you do. But just remember, you have a whole big family who love you and are here to look after you. Not just your dad, but Mia and Johnny and Riley and your granddad and me and Ellen too.’

Izzy’s eyes narrowed. ‘I know, but I want Mummy, and I know she’ll come back to me. She always said she’d never leave me. She’s going to wake up on my Communion Day, I just know it.’

Rob didn’t want to get drawn into this minefield. He was terrified he’d say the wrong thing. He pointed to the clock on her bedside table. ‘Look at the time! You need your beauty sleep, princess.’ He kissed her.

‘Uncle Rob?’

‘Yes?’

‘I’m glad you came over to help Daddy. He needs someone to mind him.’

‘I’m very glad I can help in any way. I owe your dad a lot.’

‘Uncle Rob?’

‘Yes, pet?’

‘Will you look up YouTube and teach Daddy how to do plaits?’

He smiled. ‘I will. Now go to sleep, and remember, if you have bad dreams, come in and wake me up or, if you prefer, go in to your dad.’

‘Night, night.’

Rob exited the room and prayed his poor little niece got a good night’s sleep. He knew he wouldn’t get a wink of sleep after the hospital that day. He’d spent about an hour in the room with Sarah and Adam, and it had taken every bit of willpower he possessed not to run screaming from the room. Even since he’d arrived in Ireland, Sarah’s body had deteriorated hugely. Today Angela had warned them it was bad, but nothing could have prepared him. Sarah looked like something from a horror movie. It had shaken him to the core. He understood his brother wanted to try to keep Ben alive, but after today, Rob just couldn’t see how any baby could survive in that situation. It was unnatural and deeply unsettling. The thing was, he didn’t think Adam could see it. God knew how that was possible, but Adam kept kissing Sarah’s face and whispering to her, and that was as unnerving as how Sarah looked.

Rob went into the living room carrying a tray of drinks and a plate of cheese and crackers. The room was painted and furnished in soft, soothing colours. Everything blended in. Beige, taupe and olive green sat side by side, complementing each other. Nothing jarred the senses.

‘I love this room. I spent so many nights cuddled up on the couch with Sarah, watching movies and drinking wine.’ Adam sounded so wistful.

Rob handed his brother a large gin and tonic, and Adam took a long sip. ‘Bloody hell!’ he spluttered. ‘Is there any tonic in this?’

Rob sat down beside him on the couch. ‘I thought you needed a strong one.’ He knocked back half of his in one go.

‘You clearly do,’ Adam said.

‘I’ve got to be honest with you, Adam, I was shocked when I saw Sarah today. Like, really shocked.’

Adam’s jaw clenched. ‘I know it’s hard, but she’s still fighting so I have to fight too. I will not give up on Ben.’

Rob remained silent and took another gulp of his drink.

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