STEPH
“Get the nurse, John. Her eyelashes are flickering.”
“They did that the other day, Sue.”
“She’s stirring, her fingers are twitching, look. Press the buzzer thing.”
My eyes slowly open to Mum’s silhouette hovering above me, a bright light behind her like a glowing aura, as if she’s an angel from the heavens awakening me. Only I want to go back to sleep where I wasn’t in pain.
The pounding in my head along with mother’s voice is almost unbearable, and when I breathe there’s a stabbing in my ribs along with a dull constant ache in my arm. When I lift my hand, there’s something weighing heavy, as if pulling it down. At least I can feel my toes. I wiggle them again to make sure and look at my dad.
“Hello, poppet. You gave us quite a scare.” He kisses my forehead before the nurse ushers them out of the room.
A bright light blinds my eyes as the nurse checks me over, talking to me as if I’m a child.
“Mrs Bailey. You. Were. In. An. Accident.” She repeats the words slowly.
Is that my name? Am I still Mrs Bailey? I must have dreamt I was with Callum. Oh gosh, have I dreamt about my son, too? Was it all one big dream? I’m so dazed and confused I can’t tell what’s real anymore.
“You’re at the city hospital. Where you’ve been for the last four days. You had a nasty bang to the head, causing a gash, so keep your bandage on. You’ve broken two ribs and fractured your radius and ulna, so you’ll be out of action for a while. Do you understand?”
I nod, unable to speak. My throat is dry and scratchy. I’m so weak. My eyes grow heavy again and the darkness takes me.
* * *
“Water,”I whisper.
“She wants a drink. John, pour a glass of that water, let her wet her lips.” Mum takes the cup from Dad and brings it to my mouth, allowing me to take small sips.
With a weak, trembling hand, I take the plastic beaker from her, but she hovers, holding her hand underneath, ready to catch it in case I slip. I guzzle it down, quenching my dry throat like a desert soaking up the first rain.
“Where are my kids?”
“Everyone’s fine. Don’t you worry about them. You’re being moved onto a ward. Justin will be here soon with Cassie and Cairen.” Mum takes the cup from me and refills it.
Before I can ask anything else, Mum and Dad are ushered out of the room and I’m surrounded by several people. “We’re moving you to a ward, Mrs Bailey. You’ll be able to have more visitors. You’re very popular.”
I smile and my eyes drift again as everything goes blurry.
* * *
A voice shouts, “Mum.”Startling me awake. Cairen runs towards me.
“Watch her arm. Be careful,” Justin shouts.
“Are you better now, Mum?” Cairen says as he stops next to the bed.
I lift my arm with a wince as the pain shoots down my side, but I cover it with a smile and pull him in for a cuddle. “I’m getting better. I missed you.”
“We stayed with auntie Sammy a few days when Dad had to go into work.”
Cassie puts her arms around me and bursts into tears.
“Darling, what’s wrong?”
“I thought you’d never wake up.” Her small body shakes as she sobs into my shoulder.
I smile at Justin. Is he still my husband? I was certain we’d split up. I’m scared to ask.