Page 116 of The Side Road
She emerged dressed, but glassy-eyed, with flushed cheeks. The temptation to hold her was strong. He made sure to keep her at arm’s length.
‘Why do broken bones hurt so much?’ she asked.
‘Because they’re bones.’ Seeing her face covered in tears triggered an internal alarm inside him that tugged at his heart. ‘Hey, it’s going to be okay. Every day will be easier than the last. Time heals – you just have to get through it.’
‘I don’t see how it’s going to be okay. I can’t do anything. I’m practically useless.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Oliver, I can’t knit.’
Her lips quivered. She was so sad.
‘I know. I’ve ordered you a pizza.’
‘Thank you. I haven’t eaten a thing, except for the excellent tea and toast, the pizza has a lot to live up to.’
He made a cosy corner for her on the window seat with pillows and a rug. Then he poured her a small glass of wine. ‘I’ll be back in the morning.’ Beside her bed, he left a glass of water and four loose paracetamol tablets. ‘Take two every four hours.’ From his pocket, he pulled a foil sleeve. ‘I’mgiving you half an Endone. It will take the edge off the pain and help you sleep.’
Her eyes lit up. ‘Can I have a whole one?’
‘You only need half.’
‘I’m not good with pain – of any kind. Emotional or physical. And I’ll be scared without Snood. I have a primordial fear of the darkness.’
‘My phone will be on – call me if you need anything.’
‘Oliver, I really need to talk to you. There are so many things I want to say. And I have to explain about…’
‘Later. This is not the time. Tash and Mary have probably eaten their body weight in pretzels.’
36
ASTON MARTIN
Lying in bed,Mia looked out the window. Between the trees, she had a view of the pale moon, which had risen with the sun. As the daylight sharpened, the sun moved higher and the moon’s ghostly presence faded. Only the clear blue sky remained. It was going to be a perfect, sunny day.
Mia’s thoughts turned to Leo and Blanche. Undergoing more tests and disheartening conversations with doctors in a bleak hospital in Sydney. Life was a waiting game, but there was a difference between waiting for a broken bone to heal and waiting for death.
She checked her phone; there were no messages from Blanche, but Holly had sent a picture of herself eating a dessert, which was followed by another photo of her eating dessert – she finished two! She looked happy. No news of Miles, but no news might be good news. Also, someone had taken the photos.
Someone was searching through her kitchen cupboards. She figured it was Oliver. Turning onto her back, she rested her plastered arm above her head. When the coffee machinegrowled, she sighed. The only person who knew how to use it properly had a broken arm. Holly was going to be so disappointed.
Oliver appeared in the doorway holding a coffee. He seemed reluctant to enter and leaned casually against the frame. They studied each other. A flicker of something flashed in his eyes – defiance? Disappointment? It quickly vanished.
Resting her sore arm by her side, she sat up. ‘I miss my dog.’
‘Tash and Mary walked him before school. They were up until midnight reading him bedtime stories. You’ll see him shortly. We need to get you dressed, then I’d like you to come home with me.’
‘You don’t need to look after me. Honestly, it’s weird that you’re even here.’
‘We’refriends. It’s whatfriendsdo.’
‘Why are you smiling? Are you enjoying this?’
‘No. Today, I have a job that I need to finish. I can’t look after you and fix the man’s expensive car at the same time.’
‘I don’t need looking after.’
‘You told me yourself, you can’t get dressed or put on your shoes. Besides, what are you going to do here?’ He remained fixed to the door frame, unable to enter her bedroom.
‘Read a book. Watch TV. Sleep.’
