Page 13 of The Wish
Steve raises his eyebrows and makes a low whistle.
‘It’s not that I can’t do it, it’s more that—’
‘If you can do it, then what’s the problem?’
‘It’s going to take time, resources, money . . .’
‘Those are just excuses. You know that Frank is backing this, right?’
Ian waits for Alex to nod, which he does with a heavy sigh. ‘So, anything to do with resources and suchlike will all be signed off by him,’ Ian says. ‘So, I ask you again: what’s the problem?’
‘Yeah, look, if it’s all right—’
‘No, it’s not bloody all right. I sent you there to do a job and you didn’t do the damn job. Get yourself back there. What part of this did I not make clear enough to you? We want the publicity from this kid, it’ll give us the edge.’ He speaks to Alex like he’s five years old. ‘God knows we need it right now.’
Alex says nothing. He looks pleadingly at Steve, who gives a tiny shrug. He can’t help. Alex is on his own with this one.
‘Now go back and see the kid. Apologise, do whatever you have to, then let me and Frank know when it’s finished so I can contact the media. And Steve, get back to work. This little show is over.’
That night, Alex and Max don’t go to his office after their run. Instead, they sit on the couch, Alex with a microwave meal in front of him, Max gnawing a chew toy. An old black-and-white movie ready to stream on the TV. Before he hits play, Alex spends several minutes rubbing Max’s tummy, scratching him behind his ears, knowing all his special spots for attention.
‘So, I’ve got this problem, buddy. I met this girl today, Jesse. She’s only fifteen and she’s really, really sick. She wants me to help her make something for her family. I don’t know if I can do it, I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never met anyone like her before. What do you think I should do?’
Max listens intently, then he thumps his tail on the rug.
‘But that’s not all, Max, I also met this social worker. Her name is Kelly. I thought she’d just be like the social workers I met when I was a kid. But she’s not. They were just doing a job, but she’s involved, shecares, probably more than she should for this girl. I don’t know what to make of her. I think I may have been out of line the way I spoke to her. Do you think I should apologise?’
Max thumps his tail yes.
Alex watches Max to see if he wants to continue the conversation. He doesn’t, he is now focused on the television, waiting for the movie to start. Alex presses play on the remote, picks up his plate, now cold, and takes a bite before putting it back on the coffee table in front of him. The credits toGreat Expectationsroll.
CHAPTER 8
Alex stares at his bike, parked in the same place as yesterday, working up the courage to go inside the hospital. He needs to have it out with Kelly before he speaks to Jesse.One fight at a time, he thinks. Although he hopes not to fight with her today, remembering Max’s advice to apologise. At the main reception, Alex asks for the social work department and is directed down the corridor with instructions to follow the signs. All signs eventually lead to social work, the exhausted receptionist tells him.
Staff, visitors, patients in wheelchairs or being pushed on beds, others trudging slowly hanging onto loose pyjama bottoms or in gowns gaping at the back, waltz around each other with varying speed and intent. Alex walks through them, dodging and weaving. Seeing Kelly, he slows his pace before stepping in front of her.
‘How can I help you, Mr Daniels?’ Kelly asks, walking on, Alex now beside her.
‘I’d like to talk to Jesse.’
‘Not going to happen.’
‘Why not?’
‘She doesn’t need to be upset by you.’
‘I promise I won’t upset her, OK? I just need to ask her some more questions about what she wants to see if I can help. I want to help.’
Kelly stops abruptly and turns towards him. Once again, those bright blue eyes seem to pierce right through him.
‘OK,’ she says, ‘I’m listening.’
Alex gestures towards the side of the corridor, stepping out of the flow of people. Beyond the glass a beautiful garden invites anyone needing the comfort mother nature provides in abundance. Dappled sunlight dances on the faces of worried and distressed patients and their loved ones, sitting beneath the trees, on the grass or on benches.
Finally, Alex speaks quietly. ‘I’ll be honest with you. This job – it’s a lot. Yesterday, it just felt too much, too . . .’ Alex searches for the word but it eludes him. ‘I took on board what you said about letting Jesse down. I don’t want to do that, of course, but it’s . . . it’s ambitious. I know I’m here to do a job and I will do it to the best of my ability. But . . . I’m going to need your support to do it. To make that wish a reality.’
‘You really want to help?’
