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Chapter 29
Mitch drew up in Lovelands’ customer car park.
Holly leant over and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thanks for a great couple of days.’
He pulled her close and she felt his lips against hers, lingering, kissing her again. Pulling away, Holly opened the door and Trixy jumped out.
Mitch laughed. ‘I have an early start tomorrow so you can keep her for the night of you like.’
Holly smiled. ‘To be honest, I feel safer with her in the caravan.’
‘Okay, but only if you’re sure.’
Holly nodded. She got out of the pick-up, and put her rucksack on her back. ‘Come on, girl.’
‘See you soon.’ Mitch smiled at her and she wanted to jump back in and kiss him all over again. She nodded and closed the pickup door. She waited, watching him drive away until he disappeared around the corner. Turning around she noticed Jaz’s car, at the far end of the car park. Trixy ran ahead of her towards the caravan. Holly stopped. Jaz sat on the caravan steps, as Holly neared she noticed the serious expression on her face.
Holly took her hand. ‘Jaz, what’s wrong? Have you split up with Julian?’
Jaz shook her head. ‘It’s Val.’
Holly felt dizzy. ‘No!’
‘She’s had a stroke, a bad one.’
Holly put her palms to her cheeks. ‘I should have been here. Is she going to get better?’
‘They said to prepare for the worst.’
Holly fumbled for her keys, her hand shook as she unlocked the door of the caravan. They sat down and Jaz had her arm around Holly.
‘Her sons were there,’ Jaz said. ‘They wouldn’t have let you visit, anyway. There’s nothing you could have done.’
‘When can we see her?’
‘Len said she’s not conscious. They don’t know yet whether her brain is functional.’
‘Val would hate to be …’
‘I know.’ Jaz stood up and put the kettle on. ‘We’ve got to stay positive, hun. All we can do is wait. They said they won’t know how bad it is until she comes around.’
‘What if she doesn’t wake up? I was off having a good time. I could have seen her again. I didn’t tell her how much I love her. How much she means to me,’Holly sobbed, the tears running out of her eyes and nose.
Jaz pulled her up to standing and hugged her.
‘I never get to say goodbye. Not to Mum, not to Dad and not to Val.’
‘She’s still here, hun. We need to be strong – we need to hope she’ll pull through.’
Holly pulled sheets of kitchen paper from the roll on the worktop and wiped her eyes. They sat in silence for a while. Trixy jumped onto the seating, put her head on her paws, and stared at them, blinking, but remained quiet.
‘How’s Len?’ Holly asked.
‘Beside himself with worry. But the boys are with him.’ Jaz said. ‘I thought we could go over and see him this evening, maybe. I’ll text Ben and find out.’
Holly nodded. ‘I had such a great time away. I thought things had turned around.’
‘They can, hun. They will.’ Jaz rubbed her arm.
