Nick laughed as he nodded. ‘Isn’t that the truth. You Baxter women are formidable and that’s what I love about you both.’
And as they drove, Lily put her hand on his knee, grateful he was by her side, and he patted it as he sped towards the hospital.
28
The accident and emergency department was busy when Lily and Nick walked inside with paramedics and nurses bustling about, and people on stretchers and patients with various maladies.
A few staff walked past Nick and said hello and he greeted them in return.
‘Wait here and I’ll speak to the triage nurse,’ Nick said. Lily stood to the side and people milled about. A young child with her arm in a sling came into the hospital with her mum.
‘Do you think it’s broken?’ asked the child of her parent.
‘I don’t know, darling, but the x-ray will tell us,’ the mum said and leaned down and kissed the child on the head.
Denise would be here soon, thought Lily. There would be no kisses on the forehead for her with the news she had just broken to her.
Nick came back to Lily’s side. ‘Gran is with the doctors now,’ he said.
‘Can I go in?’ She looked around.
‘Not yet, they’ll come and get you. You’ll just be in the way.’
Lily nodded and crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
‘My parents should be here soon,’ she said. ‘My mother is a lot. I think you should know that.’
*
The automatic doors opened and Lily’s parents came through and looked around and then saw Lily.
‘Hello, darling, any news?’ asked her father as he kissed her cheek. He looked pale and worried and she felt his fear. Gran had always been in excellent health, remarkable really considering her age.
Lily shook her head. ‘Hi, Dad, I’m so sorry this is so tough.’
Denise kissed her daughter’s cheek and turned to Nick. ‘You must be the nurse?’ she said.
‘Mum and Dad, this is Nick Stafford. Nick, this is Peter and Denise. Nick’s been looking after Gran and he’s in the amateur show we’re both performing in.’
‘An amateur show? What on earth have you been up to in Appleton?’ asked Denise, looking extremely displeased.
Before Lily could answer, a nurse came out into the waiting room. ‘Family of Violet Baxter?’
The four stepped forward but the nurse held up her hand. ‘Only two at a time please.’
Lily stepped forward but her parents were already through the door, leaving her to stand next to Nick.
‘God she’s going to hate that they’re first in.’ Lily sighed.
‘Do you want to get a coffee or a tea?’ Nick asked. ‘There’s a café in the hospital.’
Lily shook her head. ‘No thanks.’
Lily’s mother came out of the door, her arms crossed as she walked up to Lily.
‘She’s asking for you,’ she said.
‘Oh God, is she…?’
