‘You have to believe me when I say I really wanted to meetyou that day. I had a bad accident. I fell off a wall. So I couldn’t...’
His face softens. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Are you all rightnow?’
‘Yes, I’m fine. It’s lovely to see you again.’
‘It’s good to see you, too.’
I swallow. ‘So... I’ve had some thoughtsfor the suggestions box. Can we . . can we meet to discuss them?’
He looks down at the carpet and I stare at him, my stomach churning,praying he’ll say yes. But when he looks up, his expression is impassive. He’sback in business mode.
‘I’m busy at the moment, what with the launch and everything,’he says. ‘Maybe another time?’
My heart sinks. ‘But please... you have tolet me explain...’
He turns. ‘You could have phoned me, Martha.’
‘No... Icouldn’t. I was inhospital...’ I trail off, pleading with my eyes for him tounderstand.
But he just smiles sadly and walks away.
*****
In a daze, I get what I need from the stock room and thenmake my way slowly back upstairs to Katrina.
Seeing Logan again has rocked me to my core. And his calm,matter-of-fact words before he walked off pierced my heart. He was obviouslyvery hurt by my long silence.
I should have phoned him. Of course I should. But I was insuch a state when I first came out of hospital. Not that he was aware of any ofthat, of course...
I sigh.
It was going so well between us, but thanks to bloody Lila andher stupid urge to go for a swim, things have gone completely pear-shaped.
We’ll never be able to find our way back from this.
I feel so shaken, I have to stand there taking deep breaths fora while before I can restore my ‘normal’ face for Katrina...
*****
It’s good to get home and I’m looking forward to spendinga quiet night, just watching TV with Dad.
But almost as soon as I walk in, I can tell something’swrong.
Dad seems distracted.
‘Isn’t the football on?’ I ask, nipping through to theliving room and seeing the blank TV screen. ‘I thought you were going to bewatching the match?’
He hesitates and alarm grips my insides. It’s not like himto miss the football. ‘Dad? What’s going on?’
He swallows and looks down.
‘Dad? Tell me.’
When he looks up, there’s a smile on his face but I glimpsea flash of fear in his eyes. ‘I’ve got an appointment at the doctors in themorning.’
‘But why? Is it just one of those general health checks?’
He hesitates. ‘Not exactly.’
