‘What does that mean?’
‘You’re the only person in the room for him.’
‘You need your head examined, Yan.’
‘I’ve been watching him all night. It’s very obvious he cares for you.’
I pause to consider his words. ‘We had an intense time in Cyprus. I saved his life, didn’t I?’
I’m very close to telling Yan what happened during the rain storm, but the pool incident explains what Yanthinkshe sees. It’s the real reason we came back from that trip so bonded.
We turn back towards the main doors and spot Mark scanning the area.
‘Fuck,’ says Yan. ‘He looks worried.’
‘He’s not worried,’ I tell him. ‘That’s his relieved face.’
When he sees us, his face breaks into a smile, and I feel a huge weight lift.
We rush towards him. ‘Is it good news?’ I ask, still not fully daring to hope.
Mark nods. ‘They’ve dealt with the incarceration and checked for necrosis, which was the urgent part. Now it’s just a question of repairing the hernia – all very routine. In short, he’s fine.’
I wrap my arms around both Mark and Yan. ‘Thank you, Mark. And thank God.’
‘You mean they’re not one and the same?’ comes Yan’s amused voice.
I stand upright, suddenly concerned. ‘You’ve told Mum?’
‘Of course,’ says Mark. ‘As soon as I saw her.’
We walk back inside and are immediately landed on by Mum and my sisters.
‘Oh, it’s such good news,’ says Mum tearily.
Even Tig and Pen are uncharacteristically subdued.
Tig finds her voice first. ‘A nurse just came out to tell us that, as they were putting Dad under, he was mumbling something about his ribs. Weird huh?’
‘Did he have another injury we didn’t know about?’ I ask, concern prickling my skin.
We fall silent for a beat, and then Yan laughs. ‘Guys, he wasn’t talking about his own ribs. He was dreaming about Mr Lee’s barbecue ribs because they’re—’
‘The best ribs in London,’ we all finish, and Yan’s laughter proves infectious.
Even Mark is smiling, and I finally let myself believe that Dad will be all right.
‘You guys should go home,’ he says. ‘I’ll call when I hear anything.’
‘No way are you staying,’ says Mum emphatically. ‘It’s your night off, so you are going home to your comfortable bed.’
‘Yan’s spare bed isn’t comfortable.’
Mum looks like she wants to clip Yan around the ear for this shameful oversight. ‘This is how you treat your guest?’
‘I was joking,KyriaSophia.’
She ignores Mark’s attempt to smooth things over; she hasn’t finished with Yan.
