Prentice didn’t know what to do with that so he didn’t do anything with it.
“Aye,” he repeated.
“I know this is going to sound, erm… mad…” Prentice thought most everything Annie came up with was mad but he watched her mutely and she went on, “But, do you mind taking Bella to Dad’s place later? I promised Mrs. Kilbride I’d take her to the shops today. If I don’t go ‘round, she won’t have tea.”
Oh, he minded. A great deal.
And it was mad.
As mad as it was when Annie finagled his last reunion with Elle which, incidentally, ended very badly.
At that moment, Prentice wanted to spend time with Elle only slightly less than he wanted his daughter to be in a coma.
Annie leaned in. “Please, Prentice. I wouldn’t ask if –”
Unfortunately, he was too tired to fight it.
“Aye, I’ll take her to Fergus’s before I go get Jason.”
Annie squeezed his bicep and walked to Elle. She leaned into her friend, Elle’s head turned from Sally to listen and Annie whispered in her ear.
Prentice watched as Elle’s wan face grew ashen and her eyes flew to Prentice.
She tore her gaze from Prentice, looked at Annie and he watched her lips form the word, “Annie –”
“It’s only a ride.” He heard Annie reply before she squeezed Elle’s shoulder.
Without hesitation, Annie hurried out the door not giving Elle time to protest or Prentice time to change his mind.
Yes, Prentice decided, Annie was mad.
“I’m sorry,” Elle said again and his eyes went from the closing door to her.
He didn’t reply to her words.
Instead he said, “I’m getting coffee. Do you want one?”
She shook her head.
Prentice left.
When he returned, her head was back to her arm on the bed but this time it was her temple not her chin resting on them. And this time one arm was slightly extended, the fingers of her hand curled lightly around Sally’s cast.
Prentice walked up behind her and was about to speak when he saw her eyes were closed.
She was asleep.
He studied her tired face for a long moment and then went back to the window. Looking out, he sipped his coffee, wishing it was whisky.
He stood there a long time.
Too long.
It came to the point where he needed to pick his son up from school.
But, God help him, he didn’t have the f**king heart to wake Elle.
* * * * *