CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I’d switched on my phone as soon as the ballet was over and I’d been so relieved to find there had been no word from the hospital.
But now they were phoning me?
‘It’s the hospital.’ I glanced in a panic at Xander, knowing I’d either be jumping for joy when I answered it. Or it would be the worst news possible.
‘So answer it,’ urged Xander softly, taking my free hand in his and squeezing gently.
I nodded. ‘Hello?’ I said in a half-whisper.
As I listened to Clodagh, the nurse from Dad’s ward, on the other end of the phone, my heart was skipping about with joy.
Dad had opened his eyes briefly and was beginning to respond to stimulus such as sound and touch.
Clodagh cautioned that it could be a while before Dad was fully aware of his surroundings and could remember what had happened. But the signs were good that he was emerging from his coma.
‘Can I come and see him now?’ I asked, smiling in amazement at Xander as my heart beat frantically. ‘Would that be okay?’
‘Of course,’ she responded immediately. ‘I think it would be a very good thing for your father to hear your voice and know that you’re there.’
‘Okay. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Thank you so much .’
I ended the call and turned to Xander. ‘Oh, my God! I can’t believe it. He’s starting to wake up.’
‘That’s brilliant.’ He pulled me into a hug and I clung to him as tears of relief coursed down my cheeks.
‘You’re shaking,’ he murmured into my hair.
‘I know. I... don’t really know how I feel.’ I pulled away and looked up at him. ‘I’ve got to get to Dad now.’
‘Of course you do.’
I held up my hands. ‘I can’t stop them trembling. Look!’ I took a big deep breath and blew it out slowly. ‘But I’ve got to get myself together. Dad needs me.’
‘I’ll drive you,’ offered Xander.
‘What?’ I looked at him. ‘No, I couldn’t let you. I’ll take Dad’s car.’
‘Look, I want to take you there and I think you could do with some company.’ He gave me a rueful smile. ‘The state you’re in, you might end up at the wrong hospital.’
I smiled. ‘That’s true. But are you sure?’
‘Absolutely positive,’ he said, starting the engine. ‘Let’s go.’
Feeling so relieved that Xander had taken over, I relaxed back into my seat and tried to regulate my breathing. But it was hard with the mix of emotions that were currently crashing through me.
I felt as if I was riding a rollercoaster. With the positive news I’d just received from the consultant, I was hopeful now that Dad would recover – but how long would the journey take, before Dad was back to full health?
We drove in silence and when we arrived at the hospital, Xander dropped me at the main doors and said he’d park the car and wait for me in the reception area.
‘There’s no rush,’ he called after me as I dashed for the entrance. ‘Take your time.’
As I made my way to Dad’s ward, I was thinking yet again how lucky I was that Xander had appeared in my life when he did. It had been a weird moment between us, just before the hospital rang me. I’d really thought Xander was going to kiss me.
And I’d really wanted him to . . .
*****
Dad was sleeping when I got to his bedside. But I wasn’t fazed because Clodagh had warned me that would probably be the case.
I sat down and started talking to him, telling him how I’d been for a promising job interview that morning and talking about my lovely evening out at the ballet with Xander and how as soon as he was better, I was going to book tickets and we’d go to the theatre together, just him and me.
‘Maybe we could treat ourselves... get the train into London and go and see a play in the West End,’ I murmured, leaning closer, my hand over his.
At that, I felt a slight twitch of his arm and my eyes brimmed over with happy tears. I chuckled softly. ‘I thought you’d like that idea, Dad.’ I took a proper hold of his hand and I felt him try to squeeze mine in return.
I swallowed on the aching lump in my throat.
The pressure was very faint but that didn’t matter. He was responding at last to what I was saying! This was the first important step on his road to recovery.
I thought about Minnie. We’d swapped numbers when she came to the house, so I dug out my phone and, as it was so late, I just texted her with the good news that Dad was waking from his coma. I knew she’d be over the moon to hear that.
Then I sat back, feeling exhausted but happy.
And for the first time in weeks, I allowed myself to imagine that things would get back to normal for Dad and me...
*****
As he’d promised, Xander was waiting for me in reception when I emerged from the lift.
‘You’re still here!’ I walked over smiling and he stood up.
‘I can tell by your face that things are looking good,’ he said.
‘Very good.’ A happy tear slipped down my cheek. ‘Oh, Xander, he actually squeezed my hand. I think Dad’s coming back to me.’
‘That’s great to hear.’ He drew me into a hug and I buried my face in the solid comfort of his shoulder.
‘Your shirt,’ I murmured. ‘It’s getting wet and covered in make-up.’
‘Don’t worry.’ He tightened his hold. ‘There’s this amazing invention called a washing machine.’
I chuckled softly. Xander was making no move to release me, and I was glad because the solid, comforting feel of him was exactly what I needed. So I closed my eyes happily and allowed myself to feel good in his arms.
He dropped a featherlight kiss on my head and I smiled and snuggled closer, my arms more firmly around his waist, thinking how lucky I was I to have him in my life. Dana must have been really cut up when they finished. You would be if you lost a gorgeous man like Xander. And he was gorgeous.
His shirt was rucked up a little at the back and as we shifted position a little, my hand made contact with his bare skin. I felt him react and I pulled away gently so I could smile up at him and say sorry.
But when I met his gaze, I felt my heart lurch with longing.
His dark eyes were filled with such intense emotion that the apology froze on my lips. I wanted to look away but I couldn’t. My legs felt weak and I had the strangest feeling that if Xander wasn’t holding me against him, I’d simply flop to the floor like a ragdoll...