Page 41 of Ask Another Day

She hugged her brother back and made her decision. Just like her anger with Sloane earlier, it was draining her to hold on to this despair. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she drew in a fortifying breath.

‘Let’s get drunk, eat birthday cake, and never talk about this night ever again. His loss, yeah?’

Chapter 13

The Odds Are High

Rose:

Any news? Natalie is asleep so no need to worry

Holly:

Still waiting… and there is a woman wandering

around in what looks like an outfit from The Rocky Horror Show

with her hand in an oven mitt. I’m avoiding all eye contact

Rose:

At least you’re getting some free entertainment

Update me when you get seen

Holly:

Will do

‘Everything OK with Tally?’ Seb’s soothing voice brushed her ear as he lent his head to rest on the back of the waiting room chair. The action brought them close together. Which was necessary - they’d quickly discovered that any conversations here needed to be whispered. Otherwise Rocky-Horror-Mitt-Woman would be alerted. She had the social graces of a toddler and assumed any conversation was either about her, or needed to include her.

‘Fast asleep. You really don’t need to stay, Seb,’ Holly tried for the third time, ‘I can just call a taxi when I’m ready to go home.’

Ignoring her suggestion, like he had the two previous times she’d tried to get him to leave, Seb closed his eyes as he relaxed as much as was possible in the hard plastic chairs.

‘Really, Seb, I’m sure everything is fine,’ she lied.

‘Miss Holly Loxley?’ A dispassionate voice called from the doorway that stood between the waiting area and the Urgent Treat Centre’s assessment cubicles.

Holly swallowed hard, as she steeled herself to get up and make it across the waiting room. Back at the pub, whilst she had waited for Seb to arrive, Holly had tried to stand up again. The pain had ripped through her. It had taken all her strength not to vomit; the nausea had swept through her in a hot, sweaty wave. Even with Seb’s help, it had taken her five minutes to make it from the kitchen to his car; that he’d parked directly outside the pub. The short walk had felt like miles.

She gripped the arms of her chair, and made to stand up. But Seb had other ideas. In a move she hadn’t been expecting, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the waiting nurse.

‘Seb, what are you doing? Put me down!’ she spluttered out, the embarrassment flushing across her face.

‘Cut it out, Holly. You’re in no fit state to walk across this room. I saw what walking to my car did and I’m not watching you go through that again,’ he bit out, still in that hushed tone so only she could hear him.

‘You could have found a wheelchair.’

‘Looked. All being used. Now shut up and let me be dashing and helpful,’ his voice started to falter.

‘Struggling?’

‘No.’

‘Good, because I’m in no mood to receive any suggestions that I’m too heavy to carry now you’ve committed yourself.’

‘Wouldn’t - dream - of - it,’ he wheezed out theatrically.