Page 91 of Two Wrongs
Query thrombotic.
Oxygen and CO2.
CVA. Intubate.
Respiratory distress.
ICP.
With the arrival of professionals, it’s like the air comes rushing back into the room and with thewhoosh, comes action. It seems mere minutes pass before June is covered, secured, and on the move with Nat tagging behind.
‘We’ll be there as soon as we can,’ Fin says, catching Nat’s elbow as she passes. ‘She’s in good hands, and you need to stay strong.’ Nat doesn’t answer but nods, wiping the moisture from her tear-stained face.
‘And make sure,’ Rory says, leaning in and planting a kiss on her forehead as she pulls away, ‘that June doesn’t touch the doctor’s bum. They don’t like it and might start a sexual harassment case.’ She manages a watery smile before turning and quickly following the medical entourage.
‘You ready?’ Rory motions to Fin to take his hand, patting the back pocket of his pants in that universally male key-wallet-phone check.
‘Boat’s at the jetty,’ Kit says, turning to Fin. ‘Take a jacket. It’ll be choppy.’
Fin dips her head. ‘I’ll grab it now. You coming?’ she asks me.
I don’t miss the look that passes between Rory and his brother. Christ knows what kind of voodoo is going on there. Volumes are spoken in the blink of an eye yet remain unsaid as Rory’s gaze slides away to Dylan whose head in his hands as he’s hunched in a chair.
‘Ivy’s much closer to June than I am,’ Fin says, knowing before I do what’s passed between the pair. ‘June is practically her family. She needs to be there.’
‘June’s out of it, titch. Natasha will be the one who’ll need support.’ His eyes find mine. ‘You have to consider the crossing and the bairn. Can you not wait a while and drive over at low tide?’
‘We can’t leave her here!’ Fin protests, absolutely avoiding looking at Dylan.
‘Then you’d best get dressed quickly,’ Kit says, as though this finalises everything.
‘No,’ I answer quietly, my voice becoming stronger with each spoken word. ‘You go.’ I grab Fin’s hand in both of mine. ‘You look after Natasha for me. I’ll have to call Mum and let her know. I’ll . . .I’ll drive over as soon as I can.’
‘You’re sure?’ Her eyes dart to where Dylan again.
I nod. ‘I’ll be fine. Let me know... let me know what’s happening, as soon as you can.’
The trio leaves, and Dylan and I are left alone.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ivy
Dylan. Seated in a chair, in front of me. Holding out his arms.
Did I hear right, or only what I wanted to? Am I going deaf or daft? Am I delusional? Suffering from a bout of desperate wishful thinking?
‘Don’t make me ask again.’
I blink twice heavily and continue to stare blankly back because the tone isn’t right—not for that phrase. The words aren’t served as a demand but are rather heavy and raw with need.
‘Please.’ He swallows thickly, his expression so very solemn. ‘I’ll get down on my knees and embarrass myself if you want me to. I just need to hold you.’ The end of his words draw off in a husky whisper that clutches at my heart, and before I register I’m moving, I’m in front of him. He swallows again, and a beat later, his arms are clasped tightly around my waist, and his head barely rests on the swell of my belly.
For once, I don’t complain about the unsolicited touch of my baby bump as my hands naturally fall to his shoulders, though I resist running them through his thick, dark hair because memories can be so treacherous.
‘I’m sorry, Ivy,’ he murmurs, his arms banding across the dip of my back. I lift my hand and place it tentatively on his head because it seems we’re both sorry. For so many things. ‘She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?’ It takes me a moment to realise he’s talking about June.
‘Yes.’ My voice is hoarse from swallowing back tears. ‘She was my grandmother’s best friend. I don’t remember a time when she wasn’t around. She sort of stepped in when Gran died.’ Like my surrogate grandmother, I realise for the first time. She’s always been around to hand out love and comfort with a touch of wisdom and sometimes daftness. ‘She’s just the best person.’ Tears fill my eyes; my words wavering at the end. ‘Do... do you think she’ll be okay?’
