days. Two weeks of bandages and rest – and a review with a consultant.’ He peered up from his notes. ‘OK?’
Maddie just nodded, then looked down at her hands covered in bandages. She felt dizzy.
‘Greg’s outside waiting for news,’ muttered Ed. ‘I’ve texted Da— Tim.’ Even in all her agony Maddie sighed inwardly. What a mess.
‘Mum, I was really worried about you!’
‘I don’t know what happened,’ she managed. ‘One minute I was trying to throw the fire blanket over the BBQ, the next my arms were up in smoke.’
‘It was the tea towel on your shoulder,’ Ed explained, and sat down on her bed. ‘It caught fire as you leant over, and then the whole thing toppled on top of you. God, I’m so sorry for yelling at you earlier, for being angry. I was furious with Dad, I mean Tim. He was incredibly drunk. And Greg—’
‘Ed, I’m sorry. It was never meant to be like this.’
‘Right, young man.’ A young nurse in a pale green uniform was standing in front of them with her hands on her hips. She smiled at Ed and Maddie. ‘Your mother needs some rest. We’re keeping her in overnight and then we’ll take a view tomorrow.’
‘Mum, I’ll be outside. Here all night. I’ll sleep in the corridor, OK? Just ask the nurse for me if you need me.’ Ed left through the green curtain. Her wonderful son. But he was too young to be burdened with this – he had plans. The nurse checked Maddie’s vitals, and then put her hand over Maddie’s shoulder and squeezed it. ‘Get some rest.’ The room went in and out of focus and she blearily caught sight of the nurse as she swished out of her curtained cubicle, until fatigue took hold of Maddie and she fell into a deep sleep.
*
It was 7 a.m. the next day. Maddie had had an awful night’s sleep. The noises of all the hospital machines seemed to amplify the pulsing in her hands. She took a deep breath, noticed Ed slumped in the chair next to her, asleep. So bright. She squinted up at the neon lights and then turned her head towards Ed. About half an hour later, Ed started to wake up.
‘Mum, how you feeling? I’m glad you’re awake. Look, um…’
He seemed very agitated.
‘What’s wrong, Ed?’
He was scratching his chin.
Suddenly she realised what day it was. ‘Ed, your flights are booked for today, aren’t they?’
‘Don’t worry, Mum, they’re on hold. I told Adity I had to be with you. So, er, we’ll change our flights, don’t worry.’
She managed a small smile, and had to use all her willpower to be much braver than she really felt, when all she actually wanted was to have someone she trusted around to help her, to look after her. ‘No. You go, Ed. It’s fine. The doctors have said I should be out tomorrow. It’s not great, I admit, but I’ll survive.’
Ed opened his mouth to say something, but she cut in.
‘Really, Ed, go.’
Maddie, a little voice said, you can do this.
56
The air that filled the hospital room was stifling. Ed stood by the window with his arms folded tightly across his chest. He’d fetched Maddie a cold drink, and, using a straw, she could just about manage. He’d been on his phone, punching out messages. She could hear his muffled voice in the corridor, dozed off for an hour, and had woken to find him pacing the floor. Adity had already left on the flight yesterday but Ed had delayed his for twenty-four hours, against Maddie’s wishes.
‘Mum, look, I’ll change my flight again. We’ll do it another time.’ He turned to face her.
‘We’ve been through this, Ed. All of Adity’s family are expecting you, and her granny’s really ill. Might not make it to your real wedding, you said. Remember? What would Olive had said?’
Ed tilted his head back and shrugged.
‘She’d say you should go. That I’m a big girl. You’re starting your new life with Adity; you need to do this for her and her family. I’ll be fine. Lauren’s around,’ Maddie said a confidence she didn’t feel.
They were waiting for Maddie to be released. The nurses had changed her bandages and told her to come back a week later as an outpatient. In the meantime, she was to keep them dry and try not to do too much.
‘Will you have someone at home who can look after you for a day or two?’ The nurse placed hand on her arm.