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‘What did the doctor say?’ Nate asks.
‘We just got here,’ I explain. ‘I haven’t spoken to the doctor. But Ben says Nana has been asleep all day. So that’s good. She’s not in any pain.’
‘Thatisgood.’ Nate smiles. ‘But I meant you. What did the doctor say about you?’
‘Oh.’ I wince, dreading my reply. ‘I didn’t actually see the doctor.’
‘Who discharged you, then?’ Nate’s eyes narrow.
‘Umm.’
‘Oh, Holly. Please tell me you didn’t just get up and walk out—’
‘We made an outpatient appointment instead,’ Marcy interrupts. ‘For Monday. Much better idea. Holly would get no rest at all up on that ward with all the newborn babies crying.’
Nate drags his hand through his hair and eyes me sceptically. ‘And that was all okay with the nurse? She was adamant earlier that you needed to stay.’
‘Yup. It’s all good,’ I say, struggling to keep my voice level and breezy. ‘I’m back in on Monday for a check-up. Nothing to worry about.’
‘Talbot family?’ someone calls, and I’m grateful for the anonymous voice coming from behind us to cut through the tension.
‘Yes. I’m Holly,’ I say, turning to find an orderly with a wheelchair waiting. ‘I’m Annie’s granddaughter. My parents aren’t here right now,’ I add, his confused face telling me that Nate and I aren’t the people he’s looking for.
‘I’m just going to leave this here.’ He tucks the wheelchair next to the row of chairs outside Nana’s room. ‘The ambulance should be here in the next half an hour to bring your grandmother to Carry Me Home.’
‘Okay. Thank you,’ I reply calmly, as if the finality of moving Nana to the hospice isn’t eating me alive inside.
‘They must have a bed ready for her,’ Marcy says as the orderly walks away without another word. ‘That’s great news.’
I glance up at the cold white ceiling overhead and try to blink back my tears. The ceiling is bright and recently painted. It’s far less dull and depressing than the ceiling upstairs on the maternity ward, but it’s still not a window to the stars.
I switch my attention to my watch. It’s coming up on three o’clock. The ambulance probably won’t get here before four. No matter what the orderly says, these things always take longer than promised. According to Google, it’s an hour’s drive across the city to Carry Me Home. Longer in evening traffic. It will certainly be dark by the time Nana reaches the hospice.
‘Marcy,’ I say suddenly. ‘Do you think the ambulance would be able to detour out of town en route to Carry Me Home?’
Marcy looks at me, confused. Nate is equally as bemused by my question.
‘No need, Holly.’ Marcy smiles. ‘Transfers work quite differently to an emergency. Even if traffic is heavy, I doubt they’ll put the siren on. They do runs like this all the time. Often in rush hour. They’re used to it. The ambulance is well equipped to keep Annie comfortable for the entire journey. There’s no need to worry.’
I shake my head. ‘That’s not what I mean. I…’
The door of Nana’s room creaks open, and Ben’s head appears in the gap. ‘She’s awake,’ he beams.
‘That’s great, Ben,’ I say. ‘Nate, would you stay with her for a few minutes?’
‘Aren’t you coming?’ Ben says, noticeably agitated.
‘I’ll be there in two minutes. I promise.’
Ben scowls as Nate shuffles awkwardly towards the door.
‘Is that okay with you?’ Nate asks, pressing his hand courteously on my brother’s shoulder.
‘Yeah. Of course.’ Ben nods. ‘She’ll be happy to see you.’
‘C’mon,’ Nate says, twisting his head back over his shoulder to smile at me. ‘Let’s give these two a minute.’
‘Holly, what are you up to?’ Ben grimaces, knowing me too well.
