Three Amazing Things About You(62)
‘I’m sorry.’ Luke could only imagine how this must make a fellow CF sufferer feel. Suze, who had blogged about her life in New York, was a friend Hallie had known for years yet never met. The internet had brought together so many people around the world who shared the same diagnosis. Together they sympathised with, supported and encouraged each other through bad times and good.
‘Poor Suze.’ Hallie rubbed at the condensation on the side of her glass of wine. ‘She never gave up hope. We used to talk about getting together one day. Either I’d fly to New York or Suze would come over here. She really wanted to meet Prince Harry.’ A pause, followed by a gulp of wine. ‘And d’you know what? She was so funny and bright, he would have loved her. Poor Harry, really; he’ll never get the chance to meet her now.’
What was there to say? Luke didn’t even try. For a short while they sat together in silence while everyone else laughed and chattered around them. Then Hallie put her phone down on the table and adjusted the oxygen tubing behind her ears. ‘Anyway, make the most of every day, that’s what I’m going to do. Make more of an effort, stop worrying about what could go wrong, just go ahead and do more things, have a couple of adventures. Before it’s too late.’
‘What kind of adventures?’ said Bea. ‘You mean like hang-gliding?’
‘Not that. Just . . . I don’t know, getting out more. Less staying at home.’ Searching for inspiration, Hallie’s gaze swept the busy tables surrounding them. ‘I could go to London, be a tourist, see all the sights Suze wanted to see. I could visit the theatre . . . sit in the best seats at Les Miserables . . . fly in a helicopter down the Thames . . .’
‘Oh God, that would be so cool.’ Bea sat up eagerly. ‘I’d do that with you!’
One of the American tourists, in a fit of enthusiasm, had bought a copy of the local paper and was flicking through it with his wife. ‘Honey, what’s the name of that village where Will Shakespeare hung out?’
‘Stratford-upon-the-Avon. Thelma went there last year, she said it was pretty cute. We’ll go visit tomorrow, George, then do Bath on Friday.’
‘And there’s some kind of horse show at the weekend . . . look at this.’ George pointed to the next page. ‘Where’s Denleigh? We could check that out.’
‘Oh George, we can’t! Saturday’s Scotland, Sunday’s Ireland, remember? We need to stick to the schedule, honey. Otherwise it’ll get to Monday and we’ll have missed something out.’
Luke saw the spark of interest in Hallie’s eyes. Denleigh, only twenty miles from Carranford, was a small village that each year played host to the Denleigh International Horse Trials, a two-day cross-country event attracting competitors and visitors from all over the world. Between one and two hundred thousand people attended the event over the course of the weekend, their cars clogging the narrow lanes for miles around as they made their way to Denleigh Park. As well as the competition itself, there was a huge shopping village on the site, stalls selling everything from luxury cars to riding boots, not to mention dozens of food stands, giant TV screens and a funfair. It was a hugely popular day out.
‘I’ve never been to Denleigh,’ said Hallie.
‘Never?’ Luke was surprised. ‘I went two years ago. It was great.’
‘I’ve always wanted to go, but either I’ve not been well enough or the weather’s been too awful.’
‘It gets like Glastonbury in the rain.’ Bea pulled a face. ‘Everyone slipping and sliding around in the mud.’ Brightening, she said, ‘But the weather forecast’s good for this weekend. We should definitely do it!’
‘I’d like to, if it isn’t going to be pouring with rain.’ Hallie looked doubtful. ‘You’d still have to push me around, though. It wouldn’t be much fun for you.’
‘I’d offer to come along and help out,’ said Luke, ‘but Jennifer’s off to a wedding in Dorset and I’m on call all weekend.’
‘Hey, no problem, we’ll manage. I have muscles.’ Bea flexed her biceps with pride. ‘I can handle the chair. If she gives me any trouble, I’ll tip her out of it into the lake. Ooh . . . I’ve just realised something!’
Hallie was looking dubious. ‘What? You’re starting to put me off now.’
But Bea was pointing triumphantly to the photograph of Suze on Hallie’s upturned phone. ‘Who goes to the Denleigh Horse Trials?’
‘Well, quite a lot of people,’ said Luke.