Page 164 of An Unholy Affair
‘Your mother is on her way.’
‘Mum?’
‘I’m leaving to pick her up from Bristol airport in a moment.’
Tears pricked Eveline’s eyes. ‘What day is it?’
‘Sunday, love.’ He pulled a tissue from a box and passed it to her. ‘The doctors say you’ll be very tired and emotional for a while.’
Jack. She needed him. It didn’t matter that he didn’t want her.
‘Is my phone here?’
Her father reached into a locker by the bed and pulled it out. ‘Estelle packed a bag for you and I charged it up when I got here.’
‘Whendidyou get here?’
‘Three a.m. They wouldn’t let me see you until you were… You were in this ward.’
‘Oh Dad, you must be exhausted.’
‘Not as much as you. I can sleep later.’
‘When can I go home? I’ve already missed morning service.’
‘Eveline…’ Her father’s voice was stern. ‘You almost—’ He cleared his throat. ‘Your flock can wait. Nothing is more important than your health.’
She closed her eyes, sending a tear tracking down her cheek.Jack…
‘I’ve got to go and pick up your mum. Won’t be longer than a few hours, okay, love?’
She nodded.
‘I’ll tell the nurses you’re awake.’ He leaned over and kissed her forehead. ‘Please rest.’
When her fatherleft the ward, Eveline turned on her phone. There were messages from Estelle, Finn, Henry, Connor, her mum, her sisters, and several parishioners. She ignored them all, instead opening the ones from Jack.
Jack: I don’t know when you’ll get this, but I need you to know that I’m sorry and want to take back everything I said to you last night outside the Manor XXX
Jack: When you’re well enough, please can I see you? XXX
Her thumbs couldn’t move fast enough.
Eveline: I’m in Forrester Brown ward. Please visit whenever you can xxx
Hit with a wave of tiredness, Eveline put her phone on the table next to her and closed her eyes. She didn’t even have the energy to look at the messages from Estelle.
God, thank you for saving me and I’m sorry I didn’t take better care of myself. I promise I’ll do better. It must have been bad for my parents to come all this way. Please look after Jack. He’s been through so much and needs to know that he is loved by you as much as he is by me.
‘Eveline?’
Her eyes shot open. ‘Jack?’
‘Hey don’t get up!’
‘But—’
He sat on the edge of the bed. ‘I’ve been in the café for a few hours, hoping you might text me back.’
