Chapter Thirty Two

In which things take a turn for the better

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

I heard a soft sound in the doorway and on looking up, I found Dora standing just inside the room. She must have heard my appeal for her son to awaken because her eyes were moist and she dabbed at them with a delicate cotton handkerchief. Moving quietly across the room Dora crouched down at my side. Gently she reached up to wipe away my tears, just like my mother used to.

Even though both of her children were in a serious condition this lovely woman was making time to take care of me too. I had only met the Coopers a few hours ago and I already felt like part of the family. Daniel and I were not officially engaged �" I had turned him down �" but they were treating me like a daughter-in-law. Had Daniel told them we would get married one day? Was there still hope?

“Go and eat something, Emily” Dora urged. “I'll be right here with our boy till you get back.”

I managed a brief smile at her words, but 'our boy' did not stir. As I left the room I looked back at Daniel; did he look more peaceful?

As my eyes focused on the monitor, still beating out a steady tattoo, my tears welled again. The roller-coaster, teetering at the edge of a steep cliff, suddenly toppled over, spiralling downward. What if he never regained consciousness.? What if I were to lose Daniel and Aunt Jen both? I fled the room, unable, unwilling to pursue such bleak thoughts.

The elevator had only two floors to drop, but the journey took an age. Others had summoned the lift as well as I; the first port of call was the basement. A porter got on with a patient on a trolley. I had to move to the back of the lift to make room. We rose again, bypassing the ground floor, all the way to the third. I tried to distract my thoughts by reading the notices on the walls.

On keeping germs at bay, 'CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT'. For the blood drive, 'BLOOD DOESN'T GROW ON TREES'. There was even a poster reminding people to drink enough water, and yet another on the colour of your pee! None of this served to quieten my mind.

When we reached the ground floor the door opened, then closed behind me. I went to the cafe counter and perused the menu. It was varied, but not fancy; all of it organic and seasonal. It offered the usual beverages, tea, coffee or hot chocolate, and fruit juices, but no sodas. There was a choice of made to order sandwiches and things on toast. There was also a choice of fresh fruits, salads, yoghurt and baked goods.

These made my mouth water, until I realised I'd left my purse up on the ICU, so I was without the means to buy even a humble biscuit.

Sinking down into one of the plush chairs I closed my eyes against the throng of people coming and going from all directions. Patients, visitors, medical staff and hospital workers, a never-ending stream of activity. I tried in vain to block out the universe, to distance myself from the events that threatened to overtake me and control my life.

Sensing movement nearby I opened my eyes a crack. Someone placed a cup of steaming tea on the table in front of me; in a real cup and saucer, not the usual transport cafe mug. By it's side a plate of ham sandwiches, with bread cut from a loaf, butter, and thick slices of real ham. I raised my gaze to find Dolly smiling down at me, a tray in his hands.

“I thought I'd just have a bite to eat before the long drive home.” He put down another cup and another plate. “I saw you leave the lift, so I ordered double.” He sat down opposite me. “I can stay if you want” he added.

There was no need to answer; Dolly knew it was so. Good old dependable Dolly. He knew me better than anyone, except Aunt Jen. Better than I knew myself even. Our friendship was a balanced one. Where he was headstrong, I was patient, happy to take the longer path. When I needed a little extra encouragement he gave me a nudge to get me going. Daniel did the same. Now, when I needed him most, my BFF was a rock, a pillar of iron. We sat and ate in silent companionship.

I finished my tea while Dolly returned our empty plates to the cafe. He came back with two huge pieces of carrot cake. Sitting back down he said “Daniel will come round, you have to keep believing it. Now he's heard your dulcet tones he'll wake up, if only to make you keep quiet.”

I gave a feeble laugh at the thought and pinched his arm like I used to when we were kids. I had been rambling on about nothing in particular, whether Daniel could hear me or not, butnot long enough to become boring, surely.

“It will happen” Dolly insisted, “you'll see. And if he doesn't , I'll sort him out.”

The elevator was empty as we rode back up, and I felt stronger with Dolly on my team, just like he had always been. I hoped he always would be. I only have one sibling, my older sister Cassandra, so Dolly is the closest thing I have to a brother. A younger brother, by three weeks. He took my hand as if he knew what I was thinking. Was this how it was between Daniel and Robyn?

We left the elevator and keyed in the entry code. Something was happening. An alarm was ringing somewhere down the corridor. A nurse hurried along past us, returning swifty with the doctor, and they both entered Daniel's room.

Dolly and I ran to the door, each of us fearing the worst. What had happened? Had Daniel had a relapse? Some kind of complication from his head injury? My legs were like jelly and the world was moving in slow motion.

The doctor was leaning over Daniel lifting his eyelids, one by one, shining a thin beam into each eye, watching for a reaction. But Dora's face was lit by a mother's love. She had her son's right hand in her left, her other one reached out to me.

“Daniel moved his hand, Emily...... his fingers!” Dora was almost overcome with joy.

“Can you move your hand again, Daniel?” the doctor asked.

We all watched closely as Daniel's left hand twitched. The thumb and little finger curled slightly; the other three remained straight as the rested on his chest.

“Can you do that once more, Daniel?” the doctor urged.

The same movement, stronger, more definite this time. I took Dora's seat. “Daniel's not moving his fingers” Dolly remarked from his place by the door. Everybody looked at him in disbelief. “ It's sign language. He's signing …... E M.”

It was true. I could see it clearly now. E and M. Daniel was trying to my name. I leaned close to him, whispering so no one but he could hear me.

“I love you!”

Daniel signed once more. Both Dora and I were weeping now, and Philip's eyes were moist. Daniel's eyes fluttered open for a moment, unfocused. Then he lay still.