The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright

Chapter 46

FORTY-SIX

Malcolm is waiting by the door. He’s still in his pyjamas. The same blue-and-white pinstripe ones he’s been wearing for the last couple of days. But over them he has his coat and a custard and maroon scarf I haven’t seen before. As usual, he’s hatless. But his bare head concerns me less today than usual. I am more worried about the slate grey of his face, or the purple hammocks under his eyes.

‘What are you doing?’ I say, sounding exactly as I do when I’m about to scold Ellie for bad behaviour.

‘Where are your wellies?’ he asks, glancing at my feet and then my face.

I’m wearing my work shoes. I left the hospital in such a hurry to get to Cora, I forgot to slip them off.

‘It’s not snowing any more,’ I say.

He tuts. ‘Who’s this?’

Cora edges out from behind me. ‘Hello,’ she says, meekly. Cora never sounds meek. She taps her chest. ‘I’m Cora. Bea’s friend.’

‘The one with the shitty boyfriend who wouldn’t share a couch?’ Malcolm says.

I wince and am about to say something to try to smooth it over, but Cora gets there first. ‘Yes, that’s me. He’s not my boyfriend any more.’

‘Good.’ Malcolm’s nod is firm. ‘Are you coming?’

I’m not sure if he’s asking Cora or me and I have no idea where we’re going.

Shayne comes skidding into the hallway behind Malcolm. His face is flushed as if he’s been running and there is a bobble hat sticking out of the pocket of his jeans.

‘You’re here,’ he says.

I nod.

He looks at Cora.

‘Oh. Shayne, Cora. Cora, Shayne,’ I say.

‘Nice to meet you,’ Shayne says, and his New York accent sounds a little thicker than usual.

‘You too,’ Cora says. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’

‘Cora!’ I squeak.

She laughs and Shayne looks mildly worried, but his expression quickly softens and he smiles.

‘We need to get you back to bed,’ I say, casting a worried eye on Malcolm.

‘So I can lie there until I die?’ he grumbles.

I gulp. ‘No!’ I say, although I hate how wobbly it comes out. Because Malcolm is right. Without meaning to, or even thinking about it, that’s exactly what I meant. The realisation hurts my heart. I try again. ‘I think you need some rest.’

‘My arse is numb,’ he says, rubbing it as if checking it’s still there. ‘I’m dying. Bed or not. It won’t make much difference in the end.’

I don’t know what to say. I look over Malcolm’s shoulder at Shayne, but he seems to be as stuck for words as me.

‘Whatcha fancy doing, then?’ Cora asks.

Malcolm points at her. ‘I like you.’

She smiles with her whole face.

‘Get the kites. Get the kid. And let’s go,’ he says. He tries to punch the air but his arm only makes it halfway up before it flops back by his side with exhaustion.

Suddenly there are three other hands in the air. Shayne’s. Cora’s. And mine.

‘You heard the man,’ Cora says, taking charge because frankly Shayne and I can’t. ‘We need Ellie!’

‘What about work?’ I ask.

Cora swats the air with her hand. ‘I haven’t had a sick day in five years.’ She gives a gentle cough. ‘But suddenly…’ She coughs again. ‘Yup…definitely down with something.’

‘Me too,’ Shayne says, and I can’t believe that for the first time since I met him, I realise he’s probably working remotely. Does that mean he could stay? Even when Malcolm is— I push the thought aside, knowing it’s for another time.

‘Get the kites and the kid,’ I repeat.

‘What about Mam?’ Shayne asks, concerned. ‘Will she hit the roof if you call in sick or something all of a sudden?’

I remember Elaine’s face earlier in the corridor. There was something in her eyes I haven’t seen before. I have no idea what it was, I don’t know her well enough, I admit. But I actually think she’ll understand. She’ll know I’m bullshitting, of course. She’ll know I’m perfectly healthy. She’ll also know who I’m with and why.

‘Get the kites, Shayne,’ I say, sounding like I’m taking charge despite my slightly shaky insides. ‘And Malcolm…’ He looks at me like a lost puppy. My heart skips a beat, missing him already. ‘Wear a damn hat.’ He shakes his head and I laugh. ‘Cora. We need to get my kid.’

She confirms with a gummy smile and a firm nod.

‘We’ll meet you in the park in an hour,’ I tell Shayne and Malcolm.

‘An hour,’ Shayne says, with an urgency that panics me.

We both know every moment counts.