Chapter 33
The tick of the cheap white clock on the wall was the only sound filling the small family room as the four of them sat sipping their scalding-hot coffees from the plastic cups.
Polly glanced across at Zac’s dad as he still sat reading his paper, every so often placing his cup down on the window ledge and turning the pages dramatically.
Why couldn’t he see Zac for who he was? For the kind, caring man he’d raised?
It seemed as though he couldn’t even give his son the time of day.
She dipped her head and looked at the white scum floating on the surface of her coffee where the milk powder hadn’t fully dissolved.
She knew why, because he hadn’t raised him.
From the little Zac had told her, it had been his grandparents who had cared for him, who had moulded him into the man he was today. Not his parents.
Looking across at Zac now, she caught his eye and gave him a small smile.
Reaching across the gap between their chairs, Zac held his hand open, nodding to her.
Polly looked over at his mum, who seemed engrossed in whatever she was doing on her mobile, and took his hand, feeling herself relax as his skin touched hers and she felt the strength of his fingers interlace with hers.
A short knock on the door sounded before a nurse peered through the door and smiled brightly. ‘She’s ready for visitors now. Two at a time, please. Who wants to come first?’
Still holding her hand, Zac made to stand up before leaning back in his chair again as his dad folded his paper slowly and stood up.
‘Let Zachary and his friend go first, Alan. They need to get back to work after all.’ Miranda smiled at Zac and held her hand out, indicating to the door. ‘Go on. Off you go.’
Nodding his thanks, Zac stood up and waited for Polly to join him by the door.
Following him outside, Polly tugged on his sleeve. ‘Hey, do you want me to wait outside?’
Looking back at her, Zac shook his head. ‘No, I think my gran would like to meet you. If that’s okay with you, of course?’
Polly smiled. ‘Yes, it is.’
‘Just through here. She’s in the bed at the end by the window.’ The nurse paused and indicated down the ward.
‘Thank you.’ Taking Polly’s hand again, Zac led the way quietly through the aisle between the beds until they reached the end of the row. Giving her hand a quick squeeze, he let go and drew the blue papery curtain aside.
Polly waited by the foot of the bed as Zac hurried towards his gran, leaning down and kissing her cheek. ‘You gave me a fright, Gran. How are you feeling?’
‘Oh, what a lot of fuss over nothing. I’m fine. Just tripped over my own darn feet, that’s all.’ His gran shook her head, her white curls bouncing across the stark white pillow as she took his hand.
Polly let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. She was okay.
‘I think it was a little more serious than that, Gran.’
‘No, no. I told them not to bother with an ambulance. They blue-lighted me all the way here. Anyone would have thought I was about to pop my clogs the way the paramedics were fussing over me.’ His gran chuckled quietly before looking at Polly and tapping her grandson on the hand.
‘Aren’t you going to introduce your old grandmother to this beautiful young lady? ’
‘Sorry. This is Polly and, Polly, this is my gran, Maeve.’
Holding her hand up, Polly smiled. ‘Hi, Maeve. It’s lovely to meet you. Zac’s told me a lot about you.’
‘Come on here, Polly, love, and say hello properly.’ Patting Zac’s arm, Maeve batted him away and held her hand out towards Polly.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, Polly approached the bed and took Maeve’s hand. ‘I’m glad you’re okay.’
‘Ah, like I say, all a fuss over nothing.’ Maeve patted her hand. ‘Now, tell me, are you the young lady my grandson has been pining over all these months?’
‘Sorry?’ Polly frowned before twisting around and searching Zac’s expression. What was she saying?
Pulling a face, Zac shrugged.
‘Oi, Zac, I saw that. And don’t you go pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.’ Maeve pointed at her grandson, stabbing her finger in the air. ‘Is she the one you’ve been telling me about?’
Running his hand across his chin, Zac gave a quick nod.
Smiling, Maeve turned her attention back to Polly. ‘Well, I’m pleased then. I’m glad my Zachary has someone nice to look after him.’
Polly bit down on her bottom lip as she felt the rush of embarrassment flood her face. He’d been talking about her to his gran? So it was true what he’d said about pushing her away because he hadn’t wanted to hurt her.
‘And I hope he’s taking good care of you, too. If he doesn’t, send him my way and I’ll sort him out for you.’ Maeve glanced at Zac and gave him a nod.
‘I will.’ Polly laughed.
‘I’m being serious, love. I want my Zac to be happy and with happiness comes responsibility. I hope he’s been buying you flowers.’
Zac cleared his throat. ‘Not yet, Gran. It’s kind of early days for us.’
‘Don’t take that for an answer.’ Maeve patted Polly’s hand again. ‘It’s never too early for flowers.’
‘I won’t.’ Polly smiled as Maeve let her hand go and turned back to her grandson.
‘I’m proud of this boy, I am. He gave up a job in the city, a big wage, a nice apartment, to work towards his dream in conservation.’ Maeve indicated Polly’s sweatshirt. ‘I can see you’re a kind one, too. You work for the same trust as him.’
‘I do.’ Polly nodded.
‘That’s good. I knew you were a good’un when Zac began talking about you.’ She pointed at them both. ‘I have a good feeling about this. I think you’ll be as happy as me and my Ned.’
‘Gran, we’ve really not been together long.’ Zac turned to Polly and mouthed, sorry.
‘Oi, don’t you go apologising for me.’ Maeve tutted and looked back towards Polly. ‘I’ve not embarrassed you, have I, love? I’ve not scared you away?’
Polly grinned. She’d done nothing of the sort. She could see where Zac got his kindness from now. ‘Not at all.’
Nodding, Maeve clutched the sheets as she shifted further up the pillow. ‘Good, because I’m never wrong when I have one of my feelings. Now, go back to work and keep that wildlife safe.’
‘Are you sure, Gran?’ Zac took Maeve’s hand in his. ‘Do you need anything before we go? A drink? Magazine?’
‘Unless you’re offering me a stiff port, I’m fine, thank you. Go on, loves, be off with you and send those parents of yours in.’
Leaning down, Zac kissed his gran on the cheek before walking to the end of the bed and indicating Polly to go ahead.
Polly waved at Maeve before heading through the curtain and towards the door. She smiled as she felt Zac’s hand on the small of her back. Turning, she whispered to him, ‘She’s really lovely.’
Zac grinned. ‘She is. Even if she is a bit full on. Sorry about what she said.’
Polly looked at him sidelong and smiled. ‘You mean about you talking about me to her?’
Running his fingers through his hair, he dipped his head to the floor as they walked out of the ward. ‘Ha, yes, that too.’
‘I think it’s really sweet. It shows you do actually care.’
Halting in his tracks, Zac turned to face her, waiting until she was looking at him before continuing. ‘I care. I really care. In fact, I can feel myself falling for you and I know that sounds daft because of everything that’s happened between us, but—’
Polly lifted her finger to his lips, placing the pad of her index finger against his soft skin. ‘It’s not daft.’
‘You mean…?’
‘Where is she then?’ Zac’s dad’s voice sounded behind them, and Polly dropped her hand and turned around. Sure enough, Alan was walking towards them, his newspaper tucked beneath his arm as his wife walked beside him, her mobile clutched in one hand whilst she carried her handbag in the other.
‘In the bed at the end,’ Zac answered before turning to his mum. ‘We’re going to get back to the office now. You’ll let me know if there’s any change, won’t you?’
‘Of course.’ Miranda nodded before giving him a quick goodbye hug.
As they continued out of the ward, Polly slipped her hand into his. Now they knew his gran was safe and on the road to recovery, all she wanted to do was to get out of here, out of the hospital and away from Zac’s parents who didn’t seem to realise just quite how brilliant their son was.