28 #3
THE WAITING ROOM IN the doctor’s surgery was thankfully quiet.
Gia played with her gloves on her lap nervously.
Dani picked up a magazine and mindlessly flicked through the pages, not even seeing or registering the images.
They’d been waiting for over ten minutes and Dani could see Gia becoming more and more agitated.
In an attempt to keep Gia’s mind off her appointment Dani decided to ask her about the rest of her day.
“Are you going to the opening Gia?”
“Opening?”
“Joseph’s Hotel. It’s today from twelve o’clock.”
“I don’t think I’ll feel up to it. And I know Jerome’s busy at Level One this morning, I’m not even sure he’ll be able to make it either. I have the children’s nativity play this afternoon too, well early evening actually. I should really go, but I doubt I’ll even make that.”
“Well, I’ll be going to it, well both.”
“Both?”
“Yes. I’ll be going to The Lodge and the school play. My niece and nephew,” she added as an explanation.
“Oh yes, I forgot, they go to the same school as Kara and Alessandro.” Gia smiled. “They do a great production every year and then a small reception afterwards.” Dani grinned at her pleased she’d been distracted for a moment.
“Mrs. Ferretti? The doctor’s ready for you.”
Gia looked up at the nurse who’d come out to find her.
“Right. Um, okay.” She stood up from her chair and Dani took her bag and gloves from her.
“I’ll look after them for you.”
“Grazie, Daniella.”
“I’ll see you in a bit. If you need anything I’m here. You’ll be fine Gia, really,” Dani said reassuringly.
Gia nodded and smiled weakly at her, then turned away and followed the nurse into the doctor’s surgery.
Dani felt helpless as she sat waiting for Gia.
She really wanted to know more. She picked up her phone and scrolled down to Adam’s father’s surgery number.
Quickly dialling the number she waited to be connected.
His receptionist answered after two rings.
Dani asked if Doctor Holmes was free and after a few moments Dani heard the familiar deep voice of Ray.
“Hi, Ray, how are you? I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“That’s okay, you caught me in between appointments. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, yes, I’m fine. I just wanted to know if you could help me. It’s for a friend of mine actually. She’s having a biopsy today. A core biopsy I think, for a small lump they found in her breast.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I know the doctor will probably tell her everything she needs to know, but I just feel a little helpless.”
“Well, it’s understandable, under the circumstances.” Ray was well aware of the heartache both she and Chloe had suffered when their mother died. “Well, they’ll send off the biopsy to the lab and they’ll probably have the results in three days.”
“Three days! That long?”
“I’m afraid so. You know it’s probably just a cyst or a lump caused by the hardening of tissue.”
“Yes, I know.”
“When your friend gets her results, I’d be happy to explain them to you, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. How old is your friend?”
“In her fifties.”
“I see. Does she smoke?”
“No.”
“What about her family history?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, I’m sure she’s in good hands, Dani. They’ll have gone through all this with her. Nine times out of ten it’s usually benign. Often it doesn’t even need to be removed.”
“Thanks Ray. I hope you’re right. Sorry to have bothered you.”
“Not at all, I’m happy to help. It’s normal to be concerned. But all’s well with you though?”
“Yes, I’m fine. You know working hard, getting back on track.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll be seeing you tonight, at the school, right?”
“Yes. You will. Okay, I’d better let you go. See you later.”
“Sure. Bye now.”
Dani put down her phone feeling slightly more at ease. She picked up the old magazine she’d been looking at earlier and began to flick through the pages again.
After forty-five minutes Gia came out of the surgery looking a little peaky. Dani stood up instantly and walked over to her.
“Well? Is everything alright?”
“We’ll know by Thursday morning. That’s when I’ll get the results.”
“Are you in any pain? Did it hurt?” Dani asked, her true concern winning over patient protocol.
“No, I didn’t really feel anything but the doctor said that I’ll be sore once the anaesthetic wears off. I need to put cold compresses on it to help and he gave me some painkillers too.”
“Come on, let’s get you home and comfortable.”
Dani helped her put her coat on and passed Gia her gloves and bag.
“Thank you for today, Daniella. You’ve been a great help and a true friend.” Gia squeezed her shoulders and gave her a gentle hug.
“It was nothing really, Gia. You shouldn’t go through things like this alone.”
Dani drove a subdued Gia back to her home.
It was obvious she was lost in her own thoughts and Dani didn’t press her anymore.
Once they’d reach the apartment Gia told her that she really was fine and that if she needed anything she’d call her.
It was more mentally stressful than painful and the wait was going to be the hardest of all.
After making her a second espresso Dani reluctantly left a very grateful Gia and set off back home to get herself ready for the opening.