Page 50 of The Seaside Supper Club

‘Of course. It sounds a delicate operation.’

‘Yeah, it is.’

‘And the cancer? Sorry, tell me if this is too much …’ Dan asked cautiously.

‘It’s fine to ask. It’s a relief to be able to talk about it, to be honest. We’ve had to keep the whole thing secret up until now for the sake of Will’s girls. Sophie had an exam, and we only told them yesterday evening. So, thankfully, the cancer seems to be contained, and removing the prostate today, fingers crossed, removes it all. I think they do further tests thereafter, to check …’

‘At least, it sounds like they’ve caught it early,’ remarked Dan.

‘Yes, the team seem to think so.’

‘Thank God. And I hope it all goes really well for him today,’ said Andreas.

‘Send him our love and very best wishes,’ added Dan.

‘And if there’s anything at all we can do to help, just shout,’ confirmed Andreas.

‘Absolutely. Anything at all,’ Dan echoed.

Their kindness got to her, and she felt all choked up as she said, ‘Tha-nks.’

‘Lots of love, petal. We’ll be thinking of you both,’ Andreas continued. ‘Oh, and send us a message … when you get chance, once he’s okay and out of surgery.’

‘Will do.’

‘And we’ve all just sent messages to Will, on the group chat, too,’ he added. ‘For when he comes to. I’m sure it’ll all work out fine.’

‘Thanks so much, lads.’ Right now, she’d really needed to hear that strand of hope.

Cath took a slow breath as she closed the call, wiping a tear from her eye. She’d been keeping herself strong for far too long. Aw, bless them, their support meant everything.

After only a few seconds, Nikki was on the line. ‘Hey, hun. What’s all this that’s been happening? And today … surgery is today?’ Nikki sounded somewhat incredulous. ‘Are you okay? How’s Will doing? What a bloody shock.’

‘Yeah, we’re still reeling from the diagnosis. He’s in, he’s most likely under by now, and God, do I feel weird,’ she confessed.

‘Aw, bless. Shall I come down? Keep you company? I can easily shift a few jobs around.’

‘Oh, that’s so sweet, but I’ll be okay. It might not be too long, the operation, and then I’ll be heading back to the ward. You might end up having a wasted journey.’

‘Hey, I don’t mind. Being there for you is never a waste, hun.’ Nikki’s words were heartfelt.

‘Thanks, I’ll keep in touch, and I so appreciate the offer, but honestly, don’t come rushing down.’

‘Okay, but let me know if anything changes.’

‘I will.’

‘And hey, why didn’t you tell me before? I could have been there for you both.’

‘I know, sorry, Will’s prerogative. He didn’t want the girls to know too soon, not after everything they’ve already been through …’

‘Ah, of course …’

‘And Sophie had an important uni exam coming up.’

‘Ah, right.’

‘We told them last night.’