‘Hello.’ She smiled at him.
‘Any chance of that towel dropping and you running away from work today?’ he asked.
‘Nope, I have a very busy day. Don’t you have work today?’
He shook his head. ‘No, but I did promise Jasper to help with the sets.’
Lily dressed quickly in jeans and a linen blouse and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
‘I’m going to work, then I’ll see Gran and then be at rehearsals,’ she said, checking her phone. ‘I haven’t heard from Dad or Mum so I assume no change in Gran’s condition overnight.’ She slipped the phone into her pocket. ‘Okay, I’m going to go and get coffee before work. Stay here for the day between helping Jasper and rehearsals if you like,’ she said and she leaned down and kissed him, feeling the butterflies come back. ‘I’ll see you at rehearsals?’
‘See you then,’ he said with that beautiful smile of his, and Lily rushed out of the house before she could stop herself and stay in bed with him all day.
31
Lily pushed open the heavy door to the cardiac unit, the unfamiliar antiseptic smell filling her senses and making her feel a little nauseous.
All day at school she had been counting down the hours until she saw Gran and now she was here. There was no update yet. Her father had told her via text message, which she took to be a good sign for Gran’s health, for now.
‘Hi, Gran,’ Lily said quietly as she entered Gran’s room. Her heart clenched when she saw her so small and fragile-looking in the hospital bed, dressed in a pale pink hospital gown, her eyes closed. Her hair was messy and her face was dry from the air, Lily noticed.
Gran’s eyes flickered open. ‘Lily, my darling,’ she said softly, her voice shaky. ‘You’re here. How was school?’
Of course, Gran’s first question would be about her and how she was.
‘Never mind about me, how are you?’ Lily said as she pulled up a chair beside the bed.
‘Oh I’m fine, same as ever, but please tell me about your day. It’s so boring here.’
‘Okay, we can trade question for question,’ Lily said. ‘School was fine. I’m teaching some of the girls who are getting singing lessons the Andrews Sisters songs so they can learn harmonies. They’re enjoying them.’
‘“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” or “Apple Tree”?’ asked Gran, a little breathlessly.
‘“Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”,’ Lily answered.
‘A good choice,’ Gran said and hummed a little until she was well out of breath.
‘Less singing, more breathing,’ Lily said to her and Gran gave a little giggle.
Lily observed the oxygen tube in Gran’s nose, and the monitors beeping constantly beside her. She appeared paler than she had ever seen her, almost translucent against the bright white hospital linens.
‘Has the doctor been in today?’ Lily enquired, attempting to keep her voice light.
Gran nodded slowly. ‘Dr Thompson arrived early. A lot of big words and concerned looks.’
Lily’s stomach twisted as she tried to keep her voice and tone light. ‘What did he say?’
‘Nothing I didn’t already know, love,’ Gran murmured, patting Lily’s hand lightly. ‘This old heart of mine is tired.’
Lily felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back, determined to be strong for Gran. ‘Do not talk like that. You’ll be back at Pippin Cottage before you know it!’
Gran’s gaze appeared to be directed away from Lily, towards someplace distant. ‘Pippin Cottage,’ she mumbled. ‘I do miss it so much.’
‘It’s waiting for you,’ Lily informed her. ‘Although Mr Mistoffelees has been sitting on your chair.’
‘The impudence of that cat,’ said Gran, not sounding the least bit cross.
Gran’s gaze refocused on Lily. ‘How is Nick?’
