Page 71 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

And, if he was, what if he didn’t recover? The last time she’d seen him had been to have a go at him. The last words she’d uttered to him had been to tell him to leave her alone. She’d never forgive herself if the worst were to happen. If that was his last memory of her.

Why hadn’t she let him explain? What harm would that have done? She’d felt so hurt, so disregarded and yet she’d disregarded him too. Despite his pleas to talk, she had ignored him. She’d behaved just as badly.

And now she might never get another chance to listen to him. She might not get another chance to hold him, for him to hold her, for them to be together. They’d both waited years for this moment and yet she’d allowed something as simple as himpretending to Richie that they weren’t seeing each other to ruin it all, to jeopardise any future happiness they may have had.

Hearing that Jackson was in hospital had made her realise one thing, though. She didn’t care that he wanted to keep their relationship secret. How she felt towards Jackson and how he felt towards her – that they loved one another – was the most important thing. More important than having the blessing of her family, even. And more important than the insecurities Harry had stirred in her. Jackson wasn’t Harry and whatever Evie Taunton was playing at wouldn’t be down to Jackson. She was sure it wouldn’t.

Besides, Richie would come round. Even if he wasn’t happy with the idea at first, given time, he’d come to realise that they were serious about each other and he’d surely grow to understand, to accept. At least she hoped so. That was all she could do – hope.

Nothing would be too difficult to overcome as long as they were together.

She checked the signs on the wall. Yes, she was going in the right direction and if she’d understood the receptionist correctly, Jackson’s ward would be just around the corner. She took a deep breath, trying desperately to compose herself before she continued down the corridor and pushed open the door to the ward. The nurses’ station stood to the right, a nurse in scrubs busy scribbling in a patient’s folder. ‘Excuse me, please?’

‘Oh, hello. How can I help you?’ Looking up from her work, the nurse smiled kindly at Laura.

‘I’ve been told that Jackson Scott is here?’ Clasping her hands on the counter circling the nurses’ station, Laura tried to stop herself from shaking.

‘Jackson Scott?’ The nurse ran her finger down a clipboard. ‘Ah, yes, Jackson. He’s just down the corridor, the last room on the left. I believe he may have another visitor in with him atthe moment, but as long as there’re no more than two of you, it should be fine.’

‘Thank you.’ Laura left the nurse to get on with writing up her notes and headed down the corridor. Someone was with him already. That’s what the nurse had said. Would Billy, Jackson’s brother, have visited him? That would make sense, seeing as he was Jackson’s only living relative – him and Billy’s daughter, Eden, of course.

Pausing outside the door to his room, Laura braced herself for what she’d find inside.Please be okay, Jackson. Please be okay.She pushed the door open and stepped inside, ready to rush to his bedside. Halting on the spot, she took in the scene in front of her. Jackson was sitting up in bed, his back slumped against a mound of pillows, the blue sheets of hospital bedding covering his legs and lap.

‘Jackson! Oh, Jackson, I’ve only just heard what happened, about the car accident. Are you okay? Are you hurt?’ Her words tumbled out of her mouth at a million miles per hour as she hurried towards his bedside. His skin was pale, broken only by a patch of white gauze above his eyebrow. Relief flooded through her as she realised he was conscious, alive.

‘Laura.’ Jackson’s voice was croaky as he pushed himself forward, sitting up straighter. ‘I’m so glad you came.’

‘What happened? Are you okay? Your forehead!’ Taking his hand in one of hers, she ran her finger along his forehead, careful not to touch the gauze. ‘You’re hurt.’

‘I’m okay. I was lucky by all accounts. Not that I can remember much about it.’

‘If I’d known, I’d have come right away.’ She wiped the back of her free hand over her eyes, brushing away the tears. Why hadn’t he rung her? Had it been because of what she’d said? Because she’d told him she didn’t want to speak to him?

‘Don’t worry. I survived.’ Jackson gave a weak smile, his dimple barely visible. ‘Unfortunately, my phone didn’t.’

‘Ah.’ That explained the radio silence.

‘I need to tell you something…’ Jackson looked towards the door of his room as the sound of footsteps approached.

‘Don’t worry. I overreacted. I shouldn’t have let what you said to Richie come between us.’ None of it mattered now. It really didn’t. The only thing that mattered was that he was okay. ‘I should have realised why you were saying it.’

‘It’s not that, I need to?—’

‘I have your water, Jacks. All cool and fresh straight from the?—’

Laura turned slowly and watched as the click-clack of footsteps stopped and the voice – that unmistakable voice – petered out. She looked from Evie Taunton to Jackson and back again.

‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise Jacks had company.’ Striding into the room, Evie placed a jug of water on the small bedside table with a clang. ‘Hello, Laura.’

‘Evie.’ Dropping hold of Jackson’s hand, Laura looked across at him, desperately trying to catch his eyes, wanting him to give her a logical explanation as to why Evie Taunton, his ex and the woman who had made her life miserable for the past few weeks, knew he was in hospital before she did, the person he supposedly loved.

‘Laura.’ Jackson’s voice cracked. ‘I can explain.’

‘No, no.’ She staggered away, the back of her knees hitting a chair positioned to the left of his bed. ‘I think I understand now.’

‘But…’

‘Bye, Laura. Thanks for stopping by.’ Evie’s voice was laced with false friendliness.

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