Page 35 of The Shape of Your Heart
15
CALLIE
By mid-morning, Nathan still isn’t home, when with another wheelbarrow full of weeds pulled up, I’m distracted by my mobile buzzing. After taking the call from my mother, I put the gardening tools away as quickly as I can, before grabbing my things, my heart racing as I hurry to my car.
I drive as fast as I dare – since Liam died, I’m wary about driving too fast. But today, given what’s happened, it’s different.
As the miles pass, I replay my mother’s words, fear gripping me.Your father’s been having chest pains. He’s been taken to hospital…All my life, my father has been there for me, through thick and thin. Until now, he’s been strong and healthy. The thought of losing him has never crossed my mind before.
A sense of panic fills me. I can’t lose him – not after losing Liam. Pulling into the hospital car park, I get out and run towards the entrance. As the doors open then close behind me, I follow signs for the Acute Cardiac Care Unit.
Reaching the reception desk, I glance at one of the staff.
‘I think my father’s here – Stewart Miller. Can you tell me where he is?’
As she glances at her screen, I’m terrified. What if something’s happened? If I’m too late?
‘One of the nurses will take you to him.’
As she finishes speaking, I notice a nurse coming towards me. ‘Are you Callie?’
I nod. ‘Yes. Is he OK?’
She looks concerned. ‘He’s had an ECG and he’s stable – but we’ll be carrying out more tests. It’s standard procedure after a heart attack.’
I feel lightheaded. ‘A heart attack?’
‘You didn’t know?’ Stopping at a door into a small room, the nurse turns to me. ‘He’s in here.’
Going in, I take in my mother’s anxious face.
When he sees me, my father tries to smile. ‘You didn’t have to come, love. I’ll be home in no time.’
‘Hi, Dad.’ I kiss his cheek, trying not to show how frightened I feel. ‘Hi, Mum.’ I do the same to her, before looking at them both. ‘Will one of you tell me what’s going on?’
‘Your father had a heart attack. Only a small one, thank God.’ In a rare display of affection, she pats his hand. ‘Shouldn’t be too long before we’re out of here.’
She’s talking as though it’s trivial.
I pull up a chair. ‘When did this happen?’
‘He started having pains last night. Then this morning…’ She glances at my father. ‘It started getting worse.’ She sighs. ‘Of course, I called the GP, who called an ambulance… And here we are.’
I feel another of rush of fear. ‘You should have told me before.’
My parents glance at each other.
‘We didn’t want to worry you, love,’ my dad says quietly.
I know they think they’re protecting me; that after Liam’s death, they don’t want to frighten me.
‘Do my sisters know?’
‘Don’t call them,’ my dad says weakly. ‘I don’t want them rushing over here. I’m going to be OK.’
‘Dad, if it was one of them, wouldn’t you want to know? Alice’s job is caring for people with heart problems.’ I get up. ‘I’ll give them a quick call. I’ll be right back.’
Going back outside, I try Alice first. When she doesn’t answer, I leave a voice message, then do the same after trying Rita. The only one who picks up is Sasha.
