He kisses my forehead and goes, leaving me alone in the room.
I cover my face with my hands and feel like I’m about to burst into tears: but crying definitely won’t help my throbbing migraine, and will only make everything hurt even more.
I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes, trying to control the tears, when a familiar voice makes me snap them open again. I didn’t realise how desperate I was to hear it.
“Can I come in?” Ryan asks shyly, standing in the doorway.
“I thought you’d gone home.”
“I didn’t want to leave Evan on his own. Nick’s with him now.”
“Thank you.”
“And I didn’t want to leave you here alone, either.”
Now it’s getting really difficult not to cry.
He approaches my bed slowly, his hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie. He’s wearing his rugby kit. He realises that I’m looking and looks down himself, too, before speaking again.
“Nick tried to call me, but I was at a team meeting. So he ran over to the training centre then brought me straight here.”
He sits down next to the bed and rests his elbows on the mattress.
Then he lifts his hand and, trembling, he strokes my cheek.
“My God…Christine,” he says, his jaw clenched.
I know how pale I must be. Not a pretty picture.
“They could’ve really hurt you.”
“I’m okay,” I say, playing it down. “They only wanted the cash from the till, but apparently they changed their minds, seeing as they destroyed half the café for no reason. My café, Ryan. My whole life,” I say, covering my eyes again.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
I slowly shake my head.
“It’ll all be okay.”
“I’m really in trouble,” I confess. “I didn’t insure everything…I couldn’t afford the comprehensive insurance, and I don’t know how…”
He gets up suddenly and sits on the bed, taking me into his arms. I lean my head against his chest and he breathes into my hair.
“Shh…It’ll all be fine, okay? It’ll be fine. I’m here, Christine.”
The tears start to tumble uncontrollably.
“Just let it all out – beat me up if that’s what’ll make you feel better. I can take it, you know.”
I smile despite myself.
“Fall to pieces if you have to. Just do it. With me. And I promise you that I’ll pick them all up and put you back together.”
He strokes my cheek tenderly with his enormous hands.
“I couldn’t bear it… If something had happened to you, if…” his voice betrays him. “If you’d…”
I lift my head and look him dead in the eyes. I cover his hand with my own and smile through my tears. “You’re really here,” I say, incredulously, dazed by what’s happened.
