‘Look, it’s Mark,’ says Yan.
I disengage from the hug and cut my eyes to Mark, terrified of what I’ll see on his face.
He looks … expressionless. Whichisn’treassuring.
He nods when he clocks that the whole Praxitelis clan is here, but he doesn’t comment.
‘What can you tell us?’ asks Yan.
‘It’s a complication with his hernia. A part of his bowel has become trapped in the abdominal wall. They’re working to free it before the blood supply is cut off.’
He stops to let us absorb what he’s just said.
‘That sounds bad,’ I say.
‘I won’t lie – it’s serious. But we gave him the best shot by getting him into theatre quickly.’
‘How long is the operation?’
Mark looks at his watch. ‘A couple more hours, at least.’
We nod, none of us knowing what to say.
‘I might be able to get an update before then,’ he adds.
‘Thank you, Markomou,’ says Mum, her voice thick with emotion.
Chapter 48
We settle in for the wait, trying to find distraction in the maelstrom of a Saturday night at A&E.
‘That poor man over there can’t stand up straight,’ says Mum. ‘Why isn’t anyone seeing to him?’
My sisters are glued to their phones, but I know if I get mine out, I’ll google ‘hernia complications’ and frighten the life out of myself.
‘Coffee, anyone?’ Yan asks, standing.
Mum and my sisters shake their heads absently.
‘I’ll come with you,’ I say.
The machine is just round the corner, but we keep walking because it feels better than going back to our seats. We exit the doors and loop around the car park.
‘I’m really trying to hold on to the positives,’ I say. ‘Things could have been much worse. Imagine if Dad hadn’t said anything and simply taken some antacids? I get the feeling time is of the essence in these situations.’
‘Sepsis can occur within eight hours with a strangulated hernia. That can kill you.’
I stare at Yan. ‘You googled it?’
‘You didn’t?’
‘No! I’m trying to keep sane here.’
We walk some more, neither of us speaking.
‘Thank God Mark was there and noticed Dad was in trouble,’ I say eventually.
‘When it comes to you, Mark notices everything.’
