Page 18 of Teacakes & Tangos
I swallowed down the gathering tears. My throat was aching but I’d wait until I was in the hospital toilets with the door firmly locked before I gave in to the terrible panic that was a constant feature of my life these days.
What if Dad didn’t get better?
What if he never woke from the coma?
The only reason I was going on this ridiculous date in the first place was because I was desperately hoping Dad could hear me.
As I’d jabbered away to him at his bedside – day after day, and during some long nights as well – I’d finally realised I needed to give him something to wake up for. It had been a lovely, softly-spoken nurse called Clodagh who’d put the idea in my head.
Maybe she was right, I’d thought. It was Dad’s dearest wish that I should find someone special to spend my life with. (After I’ve gonewas always the unspoken sub-text.)
So if I could persuade Dad that I was planning to move on – to begin dating again and find someone special, just as he wanted me to – perhaps it would give him the fight he needed to regain consciousness.
I knew I was clutching at straws.
It was a pretty forlorn hope.
But as the endless days dragged on, with Dad showing no sign of emerging from his coma, it was the only hope I had to cling to...
*****
I’d spent so much time with Dad, just willing him to wake up – dozing from time to time slumped in the bedside chair – I hardly knew whether it was day or night.
But eventually, Clodagh had persuaded me to go home for some rest and a freshen-up.
‘Sure, you’ll be no use to anyone if you lose your marbles through sleep deprivation,’ she’d remarked, and I’d smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Clodagh had waved me off, reassuring me that if there was any change, they’d be straight on the phone to me.
‘Even if it’s three in the morning?’ I’d asked anxiously.
‘Especiallyif it’s three in the morning. Now, get yourself a good sleep and we’ll see you in the morning, okay?’
‘Okay,’ I replied meekly, feeling light-headed with tiredness.
Arriving back home, the house seemed weirdly empty without Dad. But as soon as my head touched the pillow that night, I sank gratefully into sleep, and since then I’d been trying to make sure I got enough rest so I could be on top form for Dad.
*****
I was woken next morning by the sound of the doorbell.
At first, my head was fuzzy with sleep. Then I remembered Dad in hospital and sat up in a panic. Grabbing my phone, I saw it was almost ten-thirty. I must have slept for more than twelve hours!
Another ring of the doorbell propelled me out of bed and into my dressing gown.
Who could be at the door?
For one wild moment, I thought it might be the nice doctor at the hospital to tell me that Dad was awake. But by the time I’d run down the stairs, I was thinking rather more rationally.
Pulling open the door, I blinked in surprise at the woman – a stranger – who was standing there with an anxious smile on her face. She had kind brown eyes and snow-white hair, gently waved, but although she looked vaguely familiar, I couldn’t place where I’d seen her before.
‘Hello, dear,’ she said rather apologetically. ‘I hope you don’t mind me turning up at your door like this, but I’ve only just found out that it was your lovely father who saved my life. I’m Minnie.’
‘Oh.’ I looked at her in surprise. Of course. That’s how I recognised her. The last time I’d seen Minnie she was standing by the side of the road, bewildered and clearly distressed as concerned people gathered around her and Dad, wanting to help. ‘Are you okay now?’
She nodded. ‘I feel fine, and it’s all thanks to your father. Goodness knows what would have happened if he hadn’t pulled me out of the way of that speeding van in the nick of time. I owe him my life. I really do.’ She put her hand on her chest and I saw there were tears in her eyes.
‘I’m so glad you’re okay,’ I said softly, feeling quite emotional thinking back to that day. ‘Come on in, Minnie. I’ll put the kettle on.’ I held the door wide and ushered her in.
