Flo unlocked her phone and read the email that had just arrived.
Oh my dearest darling girl, I’ve just heard the sad news about your lovely man. What a terrible tragedy, I’m so sorry. I know how hopelessly inadequate these words are, but the sentiment is heartfelt all the same. You won’t be working for a while, understandably, but if you ever need to be with people who know how you feel, do drop by – most of us here at Nairn House have been through what you’re going through now.
Much love, Margot xxx
Oh God, the pain was just unbearable. On Saturday afternoon they’d all met Zander for the first time. Now it was Tuesday morning and he no longer existed. How was she ever going to get through this?
Alone in the flat, crushed with grief and despair, Flo covered her face with her hands and wept.
‘They’ve found a heart for Rory. All the tests have been carried out and it’s apparently a good match. They’re taking him to theatre in two hours.’ Tasha met Joe at the entrance to the ward and saw his expression change as he took in what she was babbling at him. ‘I know! Isn’t it amazing? I mean, I’m terrified, obviously, but it’s his only chance. I didn’t think it was going to happen . . . and now it is . . .’
‘Thank God.’ Joe’s face grew flushed with emotion as they hugged, and she felt the tension in his body subside. ‘Oh thank God.’
‘Don’t squeeze me too hard. I might be sick.’
‘Sorry. I’m just so relieved.’ He let her go, and she saw the glimmer of tears in his eyes. ‘I never thought they’d find one in time either.’
Tasha nodded, overcome and unable to speak. Whilst hoping for the best, they’d both been forced to contemplate the worst-case scenario.
‘And now they have,’ said Joe. ‘They’ve got a heart for him.’ His voice was unsteady. ‘Do they know where it came from?’
‘No idea.’ Tasha shook her head. ‘Maybe they do, but they wouldn’t tell us that.’
‘Now, sign your name next to each of the crosses,’ Jonathan instructed, ‘and we’re done.’
Hallie signed the form in front of her. Since arriving at the hospital in the early hours, she’d been settled into her room and had loads of blood samples taken from her by various members of staff. Swabs had also been taken from almost every section of her body. After that, she’d been showered, shaved and washed again with pink chlorhexidine liquid. Then they’d waited . . . and waited . . . while the rest of the tests were carried out.
Finally the news they’d been waiting for had come through. The transplant would be going ahead. And it wasn’t just going to be lungs, either; she’d be receiving a new heart too.
It wasn’t that much of a shock; Hallie had heard of this happening to other people before now. Basically, it was easier for the surgeon to transplant a heart and lungs than a pair of lungs on their own. And in turn, she would donate her own heart to someone else who needed it. This was known as a domino transplant. Her lungs might be damaged by the cystic fibrosis, but her heart was as healthy as anyone else’s.
If anything went wrong after the operation, though, you weren’t allowed to ask for your old heart back.
She’d just signed away her rights to it for ever.
Unexpectedly, the earlier fear and anxiety had receded. Thirty minutes from now, she would be wheeled into the operating theatre; all they could do was hope for the best outcome. It was what they’d been waiting and praying for for years.
Hallie smiled up at Jonathan and handed him back the ballpoint pen. ‘Thanks. Tell them to take good care of it.’
‘Don’t you worry.’ Jonathan winked reassuringly as he prepared to leave the room. ‘I’ll make sure they do.’
And then she was alone again in the small grey and white medical-smelling room. Her mum was outside making phone calls to everyone she knew, despite the fact that it was only six thirty and most of them were still asleep with their mobiles switched to silent. Hallie had left messages with her own friends and had also uploaded to her website the confession she’d written earlier. In this brave new electronic world, followers of www.threethingsaboutyou.com from around the world had already begun to respond, sending lovely comments and wishing her luck. And yes, most of the messages might have been sent by strangers, but each one still felt like a tiny supportive hug. They might not know her in real life, but their kind words were heartfelt nevertheless.
And they helped, they really did help.
A text came through at that moment, from Luke: Hey, just heard the news. Good luck. How are you feeling?