‘He’s got the all-clear,’ replies Theo. ‘I’m picking him up at two.’
‘Would you mind if I went instead?’
Yan raises an eyebrow. ‘Someone’s had a change of heart overnight.’
‘No, of course not,’ says Theo. ‘But are you sure?’
‘She’s only offering because she wants to see Doctor Adonis again,’ says Pen.
‘I’m happy to go – I’m his fiancée, aren’t I?’
I go to the kitchen to wash up, and as I’m sweeping the crumbs off my plate into the bin, Theo appears.
‘Hold up,’ he says, dropping something in, too.
I only catch a glimpse before the lid closes. ‘What was that?’
He looks embarrassed. ‘A packet of cigarettes. A foreign brand.’
I pause. ‘Did you find them by the pool?’
He nods.
I rinse my mug and put it in the dishwasher. ‘Mark was smoking last night.’
‘That’s odd.’
‘I take it he doesn’t smoke, then?’
He shakes his head. ‘Not since finals. Maybe it’s a holiday thing?’
‘Maybe.’
Except the only other time I saw him light up was at his brother’s funeral. And if Theo’s only seen him smoke at exam time then a cigarette is something Mark reaches for only when he’s troubled.
‘How’s his mood been recently?’
Theo frowns. ‘Fine, I mean, a bit stressed helping with the wedding and delaying the move to Venezuela. Here’s me thinking a few days away would relax him.’ He rolls his eyes. ‘He was livid he had to stay in hospital overnight. I warn you, he’ll be a grumpy so-and-so.’
‘I can deal with that.’
‘I’ve packed a small bag for him – clothes, shoes, wallet, that sort of thing. I’ll leave it by the front door.’
I find a station playing Greek pop as I drive to the hospital. I’ve got the AC off and the windows down so I can enjoy the sun on my arms.
The temperatures are likely to hit the high thirties, but instead of wearing a T-shirt and shorts, I’ve put on a strappy blue summer dress embroidered with white daisies that skims my knees. And instead of chucking on my Havaianas, I’ve opted for white fabric wedges that tie up with ribbons.
I borrowed Pen’s straighteners so my hair hangs straight and glossy down my back. Winged eyeliner and cherry red lip-gloss complete the look. I want to present as serious and put-together, not the sopping, sobbing mess I was last night.
And I must pull it off because Doctor Adonis arrives at reception at the same time I do and does a double take.
‘I’ll take you up to your fiancé,’ he says. ‘It will be a nice surprise for him.’
He leads us to the lift and along several corridors before we get to Mark’s room. Then, instead of leaving me to it, he bursts into the room cheerfully announcing my arrival as if Mark has won the lottery.
I’ve been dreading seeing the broken Mark from the night before, so I almost buckle with relief as I take him in. His eyes are bright and his hair has dried into loose curls. Dark stubble covers his jaw, but it doesn’t detract from his vibrant, pulsing energy. If anything, it adds to his take-your-breath-away looks, served, as always, with a side of and-don’t-I-just-know-it.
Thisis the Mark I’ve always known: cocky, confident, controlled. Last night’s was the imposter.
