Page 144

Looking up, she swooped her jittery gaze across two drooping bags of clear liquid hanging from the IV pole then slid it downward, riding their rubber tubes. One line (the epidural) disappeared behind her back while the other (saline) was secured with crisscrossing medical tape on the back of her right hand.

Sorry, Nick, but I’m a bit tied up.

Evie flexed her fingers and a nerve-shredding pain shot up her arm. “Ou—ch!” she sucked in a staggered breath.

And not in a sexy way.

As the searing burn subsided, she typed carefully.

Evie:

Would if I could! I have a longgg day of travel myself! Can’t wait to drop my stuff at the flat then head to the West End with Sun!

Evie:

Oh, flight attendant’s scowling. Will say bye now.

She paused, her heart leaping into her throat.

Evie:

I miss + love you, SaxyBoy xo

Eyes stinging, she sent the final message and kissed her otters.

Marianne pulled the privacy curtain open just enough for her and Graham to enter.

“Look what we found in the gift shop!” His brown eyes crinkling behind his glasses, Evie’s father held up a thick book of word search puzzles. “Should keep you busy while you’re recovering.”

“Aw, thanks, Dad.” Evie swallowed, but her mouth remained dryer than the pastry on her mum’s homemade Scotch pies. “Has Sam arrived?”

Graham tucked the puzzle book under his chubby arm. “Not yet. His flight was delayed. Stopped in Edinburgh for some reason.”

“He’s gonna be so pissed, missing school.”

“Don’t be silly. He’ll only be off for a few days,” said her dad.

Evie’s shoulders slumped. “Unlike me.”

Marianne leaned over the bed’s rail and stroked her daughter’s IV-free hand. “Honey, it’ll just be a month.”

“Yeah, the first month—when everyone makes friends.” Pungent lemon disinfectant infiltrated her nostrils as a ragged, wet mop licked the tiles below the hem of the curtain. Evie scrunched her nose.

“Sunita and Vikram will help you get caught up,” said her mum.

“But they’re not on my course—” Evie’s phone buzzed in her palm.

Nick:

Safe journey to London. Enjoy Sweet Charity with Sun tonight! Will text when we get to Japan. LOVE YA, TIGS! x

God, I wish you were here. Evie sighed ruefully.

“Is that Nick?” asked her mother. “Evie, why don’t you call him?”

“I’m not that good an actor. Plus, he’ll hear the machines beeping and know something’s wrong.”

Marianne shared a concerned look with Graham. “Keeping this from him, though…”