Page 49 of The Vow We Made
“These here,” Dr Trevelyan points to the long plasters, “are Steri-Strips. You can’t get them wet, so no splashing your face with water.” As he continues, I try to concentrate on his care instructions, but his voice fades away and the reflection staring back, consumes my focus. Deep, swollen lines, containing tiny drops of congealed blood, cross the bridge of my nose. Is it stupid that I’m shocked? I’m not sure what it is I expected to see. When I look at Steph, even she’s unable to hide her sad smile. The doctor continues to talk but I don’t register what he’s saying and I feel guilty for not listening properly, especially when he asks, “Any questions?”
“No… no nothing at all.” I’m trying to get my head around the extent of my wounds but tell myself again how lucky I am. This is not the first time I’ve been in a major accident and I’ve survived for a second time, relatively unscathed. I must have the angels on my side.
Dr Trevelyan may have noted my mind was elsewhere, “Miss West?”
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “Sorry Doctor, you were saying?”
“Your arrangements for home. Do you live alone?”
It’s the subject I’ve dreaded and tried to avoid so far. I can already feel my mother’s stare bore into me when I answer, “No.”
Steph is quick to add, “She lives with me.”
I’ve not been given the chance to discuss my aftercare with my parents, let alone Steph, who, by the way, is fluttering her eyelashes outrageously in Dr Trevelyan’s direction. “I’ll take good care of her Doctor.” Steph sexily pouts while touching his arm and I roll my eyes towards Mum, but instead of amusement, I note disappointment in her expression.
It’s at this point, Dad turns up with coffees all round. “The machine doesn’t have Americanos Stephanie, so it’s bog-standard white coffee or nothing.”
Steph pulls the top off the takeaway carton with a grimace. “I’ll give it a bash, thanks Dominic.”
“The doctor was just saying Victoria can go home.” Mum smiles as brightly as she can muster.
She’s clearly putting on a brave face and Dad plays right into her hands. “Oh wonderful. We’ve made up your old room and we’ll soon have you set up—”
“No Dom.” Her eyes flash in warning as if she’s willing him to shut up. “Victoria wants to go home so Steph has offered to look after her.”
“It’s no bother Dominic,” Steph reassures him. “I’m almost done with my latest project and I don’t have anything booked for a while.”
I can’t bear to see Mum upset, so I take matters into my own hands. She only wants what’s best for me after all. “How about dividing my recovery between the both of you? It would mean nobody gets bogged down twenty-four-seven or has to take time off.”
Mum’s face instantly brightens. “That sounds like a very sensible idea. I’m sure Her Ladyship will be flexible.”
“Of course she will and if my mother insists on kicking up a fuss, I’ll give her a stiff talking to.” Steph knows full well there won’t be a problem. Mum and Dad have worked in her parent’s household for many years and they’re treated as family but Steph realises how much this means to my parents and Mum especially. I know she’d go to the ends of the earth to help in any way she can.
The doctor leaves after giving full instructions for my aftercare and happy in the knowledge I have no shortage of people to look after my every whim. But he’s not the doctor I have on my mind. I’d do anything to see Aiden. Apparently, he was here when I was first brought in and he sure as hell was in my dreams.
As if Mum reads my mind, she sits excitedly on the bed beside me, beaming with delight. “So Dad and I met your young man.”
I stare blankly and Steph covers her mouth in an attempt to hide the smirk behind it. I turn to Dad for an explanation, to which he replies, “Nice fellow.”
“I’m sorry, I’m completely lost.” And I’m genuinely confused because I don’t assume it’s Aiden they’re talking about.
“Your doctor friend,” Mum beams. “He came to see us when we first arrived here. He was so helpful and very concerned about you.”
So hewashere, although I didn’t expect to find this out via my parents.
“He didn’t come to see usexactly,Abigail,” Steph says. “It was more a coincidence I think.”
I turn my attention to my best friend. “And you didn’t tell me Steph?”
“Sorry darling. It must have slipped my mind, what with all the drama going on.”
I turn my attention back to Mum, who I know is waiting for me to confirm my relationship status. “He’s notmyyoung man, Mum. We’ve just met.”
Dad surprises me with, “Call it what you will, Victoria, there was no doubt in my mind how worried he was.”
He’s never been interested in any of my previous boyfriends and is certainlyverywary of any man after my sham of a marriage.
“He really was darling,” Mum agrees, patting my leg. “And he was so disappointed he couldn’t treat you himself, it was all to do with his ethics or something like that, but if he could, he would have seen your treatment through every step of the way, I just know it.”
