The Socialite's Secret by Carol Marinelli

Author:Carol Marinelli
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

THERE WERE DIVERSION signs in place as Luke drove into the hospital.

‘What’s going on?’ Luke asked, winding down his window and speaking with Geoff.

‘One of the news vans broke down at the entrance to the staff car park,’ Geoff said. ‘At least, that’s what they’ve said has happened. I think they’re trying for a view of ICU.’

‘Call the police,’ Luke said. ‘Get them moved.’

Instead of parking in his usual spot underground, Luke took for ever to find a space.

The press were still outside the foyer and security and other staff who were arriving for their shifts were looking very unimpressed with it all.

As was Luke.

Instead of heading straight into A and E, Luke headed up to ICU to catch David before he started handover.

Anya’s people were still there but their numbers had thinned down.

In the other waiting room he saw Ashleigh’s parents. Evan was sitting with his head in his hands as the mother paced.

When Luke stepped into the unit he found out why.

The space where Ashleigh’s bed had been was empty and Luke walked over to Lorna, who was just coming off the phone.

‘Did he get a liver?’

‘He did.’ Lorna nodded. ‘He just went to Theatre.’

He saw that Lorna, who was possibly the toughest of the tough, was on the edge of tears.

‘Ashleigh’s been in and out of here for the last six months. It’s wonderful to see him get this chance.’ Lorna shook her head. ‘I’m not going to be able to sleep.’

‘Well, you need to,’ Luke said, ‘so you can be back here tonight to look after him.’

‘Please, God,’ Lorna said.

He glanced over at Anya. ‘How has she been?’ Luke asked.

‘She’s had a stable night, apart from a spike in her temperature, but we were anticipating that. David’s going to be a while. He took Ashleigh down to Theatre, just to see him put under. He’s not staying for the op, though. He should be back soon.’

‘That’s fine,’ Luke said.

He’d call back in on his way home, Luke decided, but for now he made his way down to his own department and worked through his list. But at ten, just before he started the fracture clinic, he called Scarlet.

Luke wasn’t sure if she’d be up but he didn’t know when he would get a chance to call again so he rang three times and hung up then called again.

Scarlet had spent a long time crying and her eyes were still watery as she lay in his bed and stared at the ringing phone at the bedside.

It rang off on the third ring and then rang again and she picked up the phone.

‘Is that you?’

‘It is,’ Luke said. ‘How are you?’

‘How’s Mom?’ Scarlet asked, by way of answer.

‘She’s stable. There’s no real change.’

‘Is that good or bad?’

‘It’s good for now,’ Luke said. ‘Have you been crying?’

‘A bit,’ she admitted.

‘Well, your mum’s doing as well as can be expected and...’

Scarlet listened to his soothing words. She could let Luke think she was crying about her mother.

Later on she might be.

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