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The balloons parted and Rubie looked back at me. "I was about to say to look where you're going, but since it's you, I'll be nice and give you the benefit of the doubt."
"I appreciate that," I said dryly. "Do you need a hand?"
"Naw, these balloons are surprisingly light," Rubie said. "It's almost like they're carrying themselves."
It took me a moment to realise she was joking. Her humour was so dry and her expression deadpan. She should take up standup comedy.
I laughed. "How about that? It's a bit hard to see around them, isn't it?"
"Yeah, but if I run into anything, I'll bounce." This time she smiled. "Going my way?"
"As it happens, I am," I said. "Maybe I should walk in front of you, to make sure you don't bounce into a wall and break all those balloons."
"Lead on." She waved before her face disappeared behind the balloons again.
I started walking straight ahead up the corridor. Even with a few Christmas in July decorations, the place was cold and smelled of medicine and cleaning supplies. Hospitals didn't stop being hospitals just because it was the holidays. Sickness didn't go away for one day a year.
The moment we stepped into the kid's ward, the atmosphere changed. There was still an air that this was a place for kids to get treatment, but the huge Christmas tree near the door, and all the decorations covering the walls made it seem like so much more.
It felt like—I don't know—magical. I might even feel a little bit of Christmas spirit if this wasn't the last day I'd work with Bam. From now on, we'd see each other across the room at Waves once in a while, but that was it. Oh, and on TV if I watched any games.
I might even go to one, once in a while.
Mostly though, we'd go back to be strangers with friends in common.
Yeah, I really didn't feel festive today.
"Hey, there you are." Ashley was helping a couple of kids stick paper wreaths to the wall, and turned to give me a smile. She grimaced at the sight of the balloons.
Obviously she wasn't a fan of them. I'd have to ask her about that some time.
"Hi." I gave her a finger wave, then one to Bec, who was standing beside Hawk while he hung one end of a paper chain to the wall. Being tall had its advantages.
Bec smiled, then held up a hand to stop Hawk. "Higher than that, or you'll hit your head every time you walk past."
"Looks like everyone is here," Rubie said.
"Most of them," I agreed. "Ollie has a cold, so he can't come." I couldn't see Bam anywhere either. He must be planning to make a big entrance, otherwise he'd been in the middle of everything.
"My father said he'll drop in later, if he has time." Rubie's face clearly said what she thought of that. This was too important for him to blow it off for something else, but she wasn't at all surprised he'd done it. "I sent the checque on his behalf though."
I suspected it might be even bigger than he'd agreed to. Hopefully he wouldn't be pissed off because of his own 'generosity'. That was definitely not my problem. Whatever went on between them, I'd steer well clear of.
"Thank you, on behalf of the kids and Bam." I peered around, but he still wasn't anywhere to be seen. He better not have blown off this event too. Surely that would be a step too far, even for him. I wouldn't be so worried if he hadn’t done it before. Once bitten and all that.
"Any time." Rubie started to hand out balloons to the kids in the ward. The joy on their faces almost offset the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
If Bam didn't show up, I'd look bad for the second time in as many months.
So would he. The Rapids would have good cause to doubt his commitment to them, and everything else in his life. The publicist in me wanted to wring my hands in frustration.
Skipping the gala was bad enough. To skip this— I wasn't sure this was something his reputation could come back from.
Rule numbers one and two of being a celebrity: you don't let down your cast, crew or team, and you never, ever let down children, especially in public. Those rules might be the wrong way around, but the sentiment was right.
"Hard pass," Ashley said from across the room.
I looked over to see Rubie offering her a balloon.
