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‘Hopefully something great.’ I smile back. ‘Just give me two minutes. Please?’
Ben puffs out a frustrated breath and spins on the spot to walk back into Nana’s room. Nate closes the door gently behind them, leaving Marcy and me alone on the corridor.
‘Is everything okay, Holly?’ Marcy says. ‘Is Ben right; do you have something up your sleeve?’
‘I hope so.’ I shrug, slightly giddy. ‘Nana was such an active person all her life. She loved working on the farm and soaking up fresh air. It kills me to think of her spending her last days confined to a stuffy hospital room.’
‘Okay…’ Marcy tilts her head to one side. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘Maybe we could take her to the orchard. One last time. We could bring blankets and her medication. We wouldn’t have to stay long. Just long enough to see the stars. What do you think?’
‘Oh, Holly. It’s a sweet idea, but I don’t think so.’
‘Why not?’ I say, almost bursting into tears.
‘It’s too cold, and the evening air is damp. It wouldn’t be good for her,’ Marcy explains.
‘But she’s dying one way or another, Marcy. We all know that,’ I snort, becoming bitter as I admit reality out loud. ‘We can keep her locked up in a miserable room and wait for the inevitable there, or we can take her to the place she loved and show her the stars one more time.’
‘Holly, this is unheard of.’ Marcy shakes her head.
‘Wouldn’t you want to see the stars?’ I ask. ‘I know I would.’
‘Itisa lovely idea,’ Marcy repeats. ‘It’s just not a good idea.’
‘Why not?’ a deep male voice joins the conversation and startles me.
I turn around to find a handsome man in a well-tailored suit standing directly behind us.
‘Excuse me?’ Marcy says, her back stiffening with a sudden audible crack.
‘Why isn’t it a good idea?’ he expands.
I recognise him straight away. He’s Nana’s doctor. He looks slightly different without his white coat and a stethoscope around his neck. If anything, he seems more human, more natural, and certainly more approachable. He has deep lines around his eyes, and he’s certainly more tired than he was earlier. I wonder if he’s had a tough day. I imagine every day in the oncology department must be difficult. I find myself wondering why anyone would choose a profession that forces you to face human mortality every day.
‘Dr Matthews.’ Marcy shuffles on the spot, and I notice you could cut the sexual chemistry between these two with a knife.
‘Holly, meet James Matthews. Your grandmother’s consultant.’ Marcy offers a polite introduction. ‘James, this is Holly, the girl I told you about.’
‘We met briefly this morning,’ Dr Matthews says. ‘Good to see you again, Holly.’
I want to ask Marcy why she’s been telling Nana’s doctor about me, but the question seems oddly out of context, and I would rather get back to Dr Matthews’s question. I cross my fingers that he’ll ask again.
‘Now, tell me more about this orchard?’ he says.
I smile so brightly my cheeks push up into my eyes with excitement. ‘There is an old orchard on my grandmother’s farm,’ I explain. ‘It’s a special place for her. And I thought…’ I pause, feeling Marcy’s concerned eyes on me. I know she only has my grandmother’s best interests at heart, and her distaste for my idea is worrying me. The last thing I want is to hurt Nana. Suddenly, this idea doesn’t feel so good after all.
‘Yes,’ Dr Matthews encourages. ‘You thought?’
‘I thought we could take her there. Silly really, I know,’ I ramble. ‘But it’s depressing here. No offence.’ I blush.
Dr Matthews laughs. His throaty chuckle gives me the impression he’s quite enjoying the spontaneity of my suggestion.
‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I know it’s crazy.’
‘Itisabsolutely crazy,’ he agrees with a confident nod, suddenly becoming serious. ‘But it’s also the best idea I’ve heard in quite some time.’
‘James,’ Marcy scolds.
