Chapter Nine

Florence is finally out of hospital, but will this be the end to the chaos in her life?

Chapter Nine; 

Since being in hospital, I never even knew what day it was or what time it was. I’d been in here, for at least two and a half weeks. I figured that it must be the end of October, meaning that my parents had probably missed out on the business trip, but the good thing was, hopefully I needn’t go to Grandmas.

Then the day finally came that I was finally allowed to go home, the doctor had come in, and told me that further tests had told them there was nothing else wrong with me except from being stressed out, and tired. They’d given me some medicine to help me sleep at night which they’d been feeding to me every night since I’d been in hospital. I packed my stuff up, and I was overjoyed to find Mum waiting for me. 

‘Finally!’ I grinned, hugging my Mum. 

‘Be careful honey.’ She laughed, grabbing my arm. ‘You need to slow down and rest.’

‘Mum I’ve been resting for two and a half weeks, I’ve had enough of resting!’ I exclaimed, and then I began to cough.

‘See!’ She gestured to me, and made me sit down on a seat. ‘Are you sure you’re ready to come home-’

‘Mum, seriously. If you make me spend one more night in here then I’m gonna go crazy.’

‘Alright.’ She put her hand up, stopping me from ranting. ‘I’m going to go and put this in the car okay?’

I nodded, ‘I’ll pack everything else up.’ 

‘I’ll be right back.’ She said, as if I was a danger to myself.

‘Yes Mum, okay.’ I rolled my eyes, watching her as she carried my bags out of the hospital and then disappeared round the corner.

It was four o clock on a Saturday afternoon, but outside, it didn’t look so bright. I took a deep breath, and stood up, holding onto the chair. I was unreasonably weak, my legs wobbled, and my breathing hiccupped, but I wasn’t going to let this stop me now.

I picked up my bag, and walked to reception. ‘Hi.’ I smiled at the receptionist, who hadn’t heard me and continued to look at her magazine. ‘Excuse me?’ I said, a little louder.

The ignorant looking woman finally glanced up, and then I finally realised it wasn’t the usual receptionist. ‘Oh hi…’ I said again.

‘Can I help you?’ She sighed, looking bored.

‘Um, can you tell me where I can find Sarah Martins?’

‘I’m sorry all patient information is confidential.’ The receptionist said, the sheer fury of hearing that sentence being spoke over and over, flew through me.

‘Oh for god sake please!’ I yelled in the woman’s face, ‘She’s my friend, and there was another receptionist here! She said she would give me any information she got told!’

‘I’m sorry but I can’t help you.’ The woman said.

I took a step back, ‘Fine, I’ll find her myself!’ I said, determination within my voice.

I stormed away from the reception desk, and through some double doors, entering another white hall. The hospital was so confusing, every corridor looked the same.

Where would Sarah be? The first thought was intensive care, since I had been told she was in a critical condition.

If this was the last time I was going to be able to see her, then I needed to do this. For her sake, and mine. 

I just followed my gut instincts, looking at each and every sign then deciding quickly as to which ward she’d more likely be in. 

I finally found intensive care, but unfortunately there was some special lock thing, you needed to have actual permission to enter the ward.

I pressed the buzzer, waiting for someone to answer. I managed to keep myself upright, leaning against the wall, I seriously felt like I might faint at any minute.

‘Can I help you?’ Someone finally answered from the other side of the door.

‘Hi.’ I spoke into the buzzer, ‘I’m Florence Bridge, I’m here to see Sarah Martins…’

‘Okay, one minute please.’ The nurse smiled and then walked away.

I went back to focusing on my balance, still leaning on the wall.

The nurse hurried back, and opened the door, I automatically stepped forward without thinking but the nurse blocked my entry. ‘Sorry Miss, there’s no Sarah Martins here..’

My throat went unbelievably dry, ‘Are- Are you sure?’ 

‘Yeah sorry miss…’ The nurse said, and then shut the door back up.

I turned around, pulling my hair out of my face, wondering where the hell she could be.

I knew I couldn’t think the worse, she couldn’t be dead….she just couldn’t be.

Could she?

I walked out of the ward, and back to reception, determined to find out that Sarah was okay. Fortunately for me, I recognised my nurse by the side of reception so I pushed out of the line and walked over to her as quickly as I could manage.

‘Nurse Hazel!’ I exclaimed loudly.

‘Oh Florence, I thought you went home! Oh dear, what’s the matter?’

‘Have you any news on Sarah? I just went up to the ward and they said there isn’t a Sarah in that unit, she’s okay isn’t she?’

‘I’m sure she’s fine, she’s probably been moved out of intensive care…’

‘How do you know?’ I tried to calm my breathing.

‘I don’t know dear, but surely she hasn’t….’ Nurse Hazel bit her lip, trailing off, not wanting to force out the words.

‘Can you please help me find her?’

‘I’m sorry love, but-’

‘Patient information is confidential I know!’ I exclaimed, mimicking the words she was about to say, with an irritated tone.

‘I’m sorry..’ The nurse sighed, looking genuinely sympathetic.

‘You can’t do anything?’

‘I’m sorry.’ The nurse repeated, and then her eyes were suddenly focused behind me. 

I turned around to see what she was looking at, and there, stood my Mother.

‘Florence! Where the hell did you get to!’ She shrieked at me.

‘Mum I’m sorry- I had to go do something-’

‘Don’t even bother explaining! We have to get you home, you need to be resting!’ She said, her tone mean and impatient. She pulled my arm, and we walked out of the hospital.

‘Thanks anyway.’ I called back to the nurse who was watching us go.

Mum kept dragging me out of the hospital, and then I finally unattached her hand from my arm. ‘Get off my arm!’ 

‘Sorry, but we have to get home...’

‘Alright, fine.’ I said, and hurried back with her to the car.

We stuffed all my bags into the boot and then got into the car, Mum pulled away and then began to quiz me. ‘So, why did you go off?’

‘No reason, I thought a nurse said a name, a girl I knew…..Turns out I didn’t know her in the end.’ I lied through my teeth.

‘Oh right okay, well you could of told me. I would of helped you.’

‘Oh no that’s alright, I didn’t realise it would take so long….’ 

Mum didn’t say anything, just nodded and carried on driving. The rest of the journey home was silent, but it wasn’t awkward, it was just nice to have a bit of peace and quiet.

Mum helped me out of the car, and got me inside before retrieving my luggage from the boot. She forced me into the living room with no good reason to tell and I literally had a heart attack when I walked into the room and it was filled with people. They all shouted ‘SURPRISE’ in unison, and I jumped out of my skin.

My dad was there, Leo, Wayne, his parents! My Grandma and Grandad, and even Naomi and her parents! 

They all crowded round me and queued for a hug, once I’d hugged them all, they let me sit down but bombarded me with cards and presents.

I was overwhelmed, but really happily surprised.

Naomi  hugged me close, repeating over and over how much she’d missed me, and how different I looked. Which probably translated into, I know you’re pregnant but you could of called me and I’m sorry but you look really rough right now! 

I sighed, and after a couple of hours, I was fed up with all the attention. I just wanted them to disappear, so I could go upstairs and sleep.

Mum had noticed my uninterested and irritated mood, pulled me away from the chaos in the living room and tried to have an word with me to encourage my happiness.

‘I’m sorry.’ I told her, ‘I’m just really tired and I really am grateful for all the fuss, but I’m exhausted!’ 

Mum looked at me with, a worrying, sympathetic look. ‘Hmmm, maybe it was too much too soon…’ She mused, somehow agreeing with me.

‘But it’s alright, I can cope for another hour or so and then I’ll go sleep it off.’

‘I can make them all go right now if you want me to?’ Mum offered, I stand biting my lip, so tempted to say ‘yeah, get them all out of here right now’ but instead, I give a light smile, ‘No, it’s alright. I’ll be okay for a little longer.’ 

‘Okay, but as soon as you’ve had enough, tell me okay?’

I nodded straight away, ‘Aha.’

‘Good, okay.’ Mum nodded, and then made her way out of the kitchen and back into the madness.

I took a few deep breaths, got myself a glass of apple juice, I sipped slowly, and enjoyed the fresh taste. I was just about to follow Mum back into the living room, when Wayne found me, and kept me from going. ‘You okay Flo?’ He asked, his voice somehow deep and husky. 

‘Oh I’m fine.’ I smiled, ‘Just a little tired. It’s all very overwhelming…’ 

‘Yeah I know.’ Wayne carefully puts his arms round my waist, hugging me from behind. 

I smiled to myself, enjoying the warmth of his touch on my skin. Turning myself around, I stared up at him, still smiling. He smiled back down at me, and we shared, a silent but meaningful look and embrace Our eyes locked together, and Wayne pressed his lips lightly onto mine, somehow though, my tiredness swept away and I grabbed him closer, placing my arms round his neck. The kiss grew deeper, and as we kissed, I still smiled. Wayne pulled away, caressing my cheek, his finger running over my skin, right down to my chin and my neck. I sighed, his touch felt so warm and delightfully natural to my own skin.

I closed my eyes for a second, letting my senses absorb him. We stood in each others embrace for a while, and then Wayne planted a small but sweet kiss on my lips, I opened my eyes, and he was still staring down at me with a smile on his face.

At that moment, I knew that he was the guy, he was the guy…

That I wanted to be with forever, because he was the only one, that could make my heart beat fast as it was right now.

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Author's Note

Short chapter, hasn't be edited but enjoy :)

Reviews

[paradise]

aaawhe wayne and florence so cute but goddamn where the hell is sarah!!??? gahh i must read more loved it again suspense!!!