Page 40 of Charlie Sunshine
My mum pulls back and cups my face between her hands. Her fingers are slightly rough and stained with the blue dye she uses to make the blankets she sells in her local galleries. “How are you?” she asks worriedly. “Misha said he was taking you to hospital because the turns had increased.”
“I’m okay, but, yes, they’ve increased by quite a lot.”
Her eyes narrow. “How long has this been going on?”
“Erm, eight months.”
“Charlie.” She sighs and then shakes her head. “I promised myself I wouldn’t lecture you in here.”
“You did?” I say hopefully.
“I don’t know where that tone of surprise comes from.”
“Really?”
A wicked look crosses her face. “I saidin here. Pay attention, Charlie Burroughs, because I am totally going to lecture you at a later point, and I’m hoping I’ll have plenty of time to do it.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d really like it if you’d come back with me and stay for a while.”
“What?”
She grabs my hands and kisses my fingers, something she’s done since I was little. “Please, Charlie. Phil’s getting your room ready just in case. You could stay with us for a month or until you’re feeling better.”
“I can’t take that amount of time off work?—”
“You could,” Aidan interrupts in a steady tone. “Misha rang your head office and explained the situation to your line manager.”
“Misha didwhat?” I turn to find Misha trying to edge behind my dad. “Oh no,” I say grimly. “What the hell are you doing ringing my boss?”
“What you should have done in the first place,” my dad says calmly.
“What?”
He pulls me close into a hug, and I rest my face in his shoulder for a second, inhaling his sandalwood scent. “You should have dealt with this a long time ago,” he says. “And never let it get this far. Now, you’re patently worn out and need to rest and let the hospital deal with this.”
“But I need to be in contact with Freda.”
“Not necessarily,” Aidan says, joining the hug and kissing my forehead. “You could, in theory, transfer your care down there. There’s a good epilepsy nurse there.”
“But what if I need—” I stumble over my words, and Misha moves to my side. “What if I need surgery?”
“That’s what you’re frightened of?” Aidan asks calmly, his green eyes busy on my face. I nod, and he hugs me. “If you need that, then we’ll deal with it. All of us,” he adds, pulling back and stroking my hair. “Because we’re a family, Charlie. You’re not on your own, so please don’t try to act as if you are.”
“Charlie, we’re ready for you.” My epilepsy nurse Freda’s voice comes quietly from behind me, and my heart starts to beat heavily. Shit.
I look at Misha, one thought on my mind. “Will you come in with me?” I ask, holding out my hand.
He takes it immediately, his hand warm and tight on mine. “You sure?” he asks. “Maybe you need your mum or dad?”
I shake my head. “Just you.”
“Go on,” my dad urges. “We’ll be out here waiting for you.”
I nod and let my feet carry me into the room. My pulse pounds in my temple, and my hand is sweaty, but Misha keeps hold of it as he sits down next to me. We face Freda as she settles at her desk.
She smiles at me. “Charlie, please don’t look so terrified,” she says.
