Page 69 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘Yes, give it a few more days, well actually a few weeks, and he’ll be right as rain,’ Simon said, almost like he was convincing himself. The words floating above Lucy and Denise’s heads feeling very much like a promise.

‘Can I see him? Have you been able to see him?’

‘No, not yet. They’re having to keep a close eye on him. But soon, Lucy, soon.’

She flopped down into the chair, suddenly overwhelmingly tired as exhaustion mingled with blissful relief.

It was now just after midnight and Simon and Denise had been allowed through to visit Jack briefly, coming back rather emotional but with relieved smiles. Lucy was desperate to see Jack, to hold him, but would have to wait her turn. The nurse who’d walked his parents back over had advised he now needed to rest and get some sleep. She explained kindly that Lucy, not being immediate family, would need to wait until morning for her chance to visit.

Her heart sank, but what could she do? Jack needed that chance to rest and recuperate. He had been through so much. She didn’t want to leave the hospital, though, felt drawn to stay near him, even if she wasn’t yet allowed to be with him. She sent a ‘get well’ and ‘goodnight’ message, hoping his mobile might be near to hand, saying she was right here in the hospital if he needed her, and explaining why she hadn’t been allowed in as yet. She finished with:

See you soon. Sweet dreams. I’m here, always. Luce X

Her phone buzzed to life, still clutched in her palm. Bloody hell, she must have nodded off again; last night’s fear bleeding out into exhaustion. She had no idea what the time was. Tried to focus. There was a glimpse of daylight outside, and yes, she remembered now, Jack’s parents had gone through to see him again, after kindly bringing her an early morning cup of tea and a bacon roll. It had tasted good, surprisingly so in the circumstances, it must have been just what she had needed.

And yes, she should be allowed in to see him soon. Crikey, how long had his parents been in? She was desperate to hear more news on his condition.

Ah. The phone … it was still ringing. She looked at the caller ID: Becky.

Oh, Becky. Lucy answered with a frail, ‘Hello?’

‘Luce?’

‘Yeah.’

‘I just heard. Oh Lucy, I’m so sorry. How is he?’

Her concern sounded genuine, heartfelt. It was lovely that her friend was back in full support, ‘Umm, he’s okay, I think. Got through the night alright. Broken ribs, some bruising to his spleen. They just need to keep a close eye on him.’

‘Hey, can I do anything to help? Do you need anything?’

‘Aw, that’s kind. Thank you.’ Lucy felt a huge lump in her throat. It had been a long, tough night. And my, she did appreciate Becky’s friendship when she needed it most. ‘Right now, I don’t even know what I need,’ she confessed. She’d hardly slept all night. The plastic chairs had numbed her bottom. Her neck felt all cricked. ‘But it’s good to know you’re thinking of me … of us.’ She paused, feeling the tears jam in her throat. ‘I just want to know he’s going to be alright, Becks … that’s all I need right now.’

‘Yeah, of course.’

‘Uhm … Who told you? How do you know?’ It was only last night when her world had gone topsy-turvy, after all.

‘Oh, your Oliver was speaking with Darren. Bumped into each other at the Co-op this morning. He called me straight away.’

‘Oh, right.’ She still felt in a daze.

‘So, how are you doing, hun?’

‘Ah, I’m alright. Just tired, worried, it’s all been such a shock.’ She was trying her best to put a brave face on things.

‘Yeah, you will be. Well look, just let me know if there’s anything you need, okay? Emergency chocolate supplies. Even if it’s just to have someone to chat with to pass some time … okay?’

‘Okay … and Becks …’

‘Yeah?’

‘Thank you.’ For reaching out, for being there just when she needed it. Lucy couldn’t begin to put it into words.

She heard her friend give a sigh. A sigh that held so much. Until these past couple of weeks, it had been such a difficult time for their friendship. ‘No worries, Luce.’ There was a beat of silence, before Becky said, ‘That’s what friends are for. You take care now, hun.’

As she turned off the call, Lucy couldn’t help but let out a little sob. Like old times, Becky was there for her when it really mattered. After all their recent ups and downs, their friendship was still strong. It had weathered the storm.

But could Jack make it through and weather his storm too? Lucy’s heart felt like it was drowning.