The female police officer makes notes during our conversation and I wonder what she’s writing. Wish I could get a copy of those witness statements or at least their names - I might need to do some of my own digging around. I knew a guy who was a private detective - might be worth a call.
I say nothing of this to the coppers of course and instead, shake both their hands. “Thanks. I appreciate your time and being there for Lu when she was… well when she was alone.” I run a hand over my head and he pats my shoulder. Alone, scared and in pain.
“I hope Miss Myers is OK. We’ll be in touch.”
With my face burrowed in my palms, I spend the next twenty minutes thinking of every worst case scenario, dealing with that, then moving on to the next - I was going out of my mind and am about to completely lose it when a soft and calming, yet authoritative voice brings me out of my gloomy fog of memories and I snap my head up in answer. An attractive female surgeon, dressed in scrubs offers me a rather tired but comforting smile.
“Mr. Silver?”
“That’s me.” My hands are clammy and I wipe them nervously on my jeans as I stand, before folding my arms tightly in front of me to stop them shaking.
“Dr. Haines; I operated upon your friend.”
“Girlfriend.” I correct her.
“I apologise, your girlfriend. Why don’t we take a seat?” She points to the rack of half seats along the back wall. “Is her next of kin here?”
“Her parents are on their way, they should be here by now, but if you don’t tell me soon I’m going explode Dr. What the hell is happening to Lucia?”
“It’s not protocol to discuss a patient’s condition with anyone but their next of kin…”
“If someone doesn’t start talking soon I swear I won’t be culpable for my actions.”
“As I was saying, it’s not protocol to discuss a patients condition with anyone but their next of kin I’m afraid, but I can tell you that you’ve got a very gutsy lady there. We managed to find the bleed eventually - she kept us guessing for a while, but if we’d known all the facts before she went in, then maybe we may have reacted quicker…” she looks intently at me, as though questioning something but seeing my blank look continues. “But… we got there in the end. She will make a full recovery.”
“What the hell was it?”
“I can’t discuss the full details with you, Mr. Silver.”
“This is unbelievable! That is my woman in there! She means everything to me!”
“I understand that; believe me I do. Look - when her parents arrive, if it’s ok with them, you can be included in the discussions.”
That’s just fucking great!
I’m seconds away from tearing someone a new arsehole and take a minute to inhale deeply and exhale with a whoosh of emotions as I watch her retreating form and hang my head in my hands. Deep breaths - she’s made it through surgery. She’s OK and that’s all that matters.
“Seb - what’s going on? Abs will be here in a bit she’s just parking the car.”
My brother’s voice is like a flame to a moth - I completely lose it. “They won’t fucking let me see her! They won’t tell me what’s wrong with her! I’m not her next of fucking kin!”
“Hey, hey, easy bro - easy - take a seat and take deep breath. Is she out of Theatre?”
I nod, my teeth biting hard on my lip. “Just. I’ve just seen the Doc. She won’t tell me bloody anything, but she made it.”
Nathan rubs my shoulder and I allow myself to be drawn into a hug, something men didn’t tend to do much of but just what I need. It lasts seconds before I nod and push away. “Cheers, Na. Thanks for being here.”
“Of course. Thank fuck she’s out of Theatre. Look, Seb - I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through, but it’s not the Dr.’s fault. I get that you’re angry. Be fucking angry with the bastard that did this to her. But not the person who tried to save her life.”
“You’re right.” I span my hand across my face to try and hide my frustrations from him but instead he just ignores my attempts and embraces me in another hug. “We’ll get through this mate and at least she’s through the worst of it now. Lu’s a trooper.”
She is that. She is strong and kind and deserves so much more than this.
I lift my head as I hear voices heading in our direction, and watch as Abby, Nina and Mac Myers jog down the corridor towards us. One look at all their faces and I can see my own pain reflected there.
“Seb? What’s the news? Is she Ok? What’s happened?” Nina’s anguished flutter of words, are filled with a pleading I recognise from my earlier time with the surgeon. I enfold her in a quick welcome hug, do the same to Abby and shake Mac’s hand before explaining the situation in full detail to them.