Page 91 of All We Want for Christmas
‘Sorry, son. It was smashed up in the accident,’ his father said.
‘Shit.’ Flynn sank back against the pillow.
‘If you really want to message anyone, you can borrow mine.’
‘No, it’s OK.’ Flynn desperately wanted to speak to Lara in private, and that thought forced him to work through the brain fog. ‘I could really do with a new one. Any chance you can get me a new one?’
‘You should be resting,’ his mum said sternly.
‘Yeah, but it would ease my mind.’ Flynn tried his best puppy-dog look but his mother folded her arms. ‘Please?’ It felt ridiculous to be like a child again, at the mercy of his parents being willing to help him.
‘I suppose we could,’ she relented.
‘Thanks. There’s a retail park near the hospital. I’m sure you can get hold of one now the shops are open again. I’ll settle up as soon as I can.’
His dad sighed then nodded. ‘Look, if it would make your life easier, we’ll buy you a new phone.’
‘Thank you.’ Flynn smiled, despite the pain. If he could get in touch with Lara, he’d feel a whole lot better. He wasbeyond grateful to the paramedics and medical staff who’d scraped him off the side of the road and saved him, but it was driving him mad to rely on other people. Once he’d spoken with Lara, he could focus on getting out of this place and take charge of his own life again.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
‘Lara! Have you heard? Flynn’s home,’ Jazz called to Lara from halfway across the snow-sprinkled castle courtyard.
Many people might be wandering around in a cheese-induced coma wondering what day of the week it was, but, at Ravendale, Twixmas was a time to make the most of bored families looking for places to get some fresh air and entertainment.
The crisp, clear weather over Christmas had helped boost visitor numbers to a record high, and all the Spectacular dates were now fully booked. With Flynn out of action, Lara was having to pick up some of the slack with his team, as well as for Fiona and Henry. However, she’d been glad of the work as a distraction from her almost constant thoughts about Flynn. She was certain that his families, new and old, must have wanted to be with him all the time. That was natural, even though Lara had been desperate to see him herself.
Jazz caught up with her, slithering in the slush on the flagstones. ‘Mrs Danvers saw him being helped into the cottage by his mum and dad. She said he looked absolutely terrible and he’s on crutches.’
‘Well, he did have concussion and a broken knee,’ Larasaid, doubting Flynn could ever look terrible even after a near-death experience. That thought made her shudder again. The accident had made her realise how fragile life was and how easily it could shatter.
She shoved the thought to the back of her mind. ‘Mrs D exaggerates. You know that. I thought you might have spoken to him.’
‘Not yet.’ In fact, she hadn’t heard from him since Christmas Day. ‘His friend Harvey called me. He’d spoken to Flynn’s mum. Apparently, his phone was damaged in the accident and I knew he was hoping to be discharged soon. I hadn’t realised he’d be back this morning.’
‘It’s a huge relief, though. I know how worried you’ve been, hun.’
Lara nodded. ‘I – I thought he might have …’
Jazz hugged her. ‘But he hasn’t. Will you go and see him now?’
‘Yes, but I should let him settle in first. His parents will be with him.’
‘Don’t leave it too long. I’m sure he wants to see you. I know how much you like him as a friend, and friends matter, don’t they, particularly when you are so far from home.’
Jazz spoke to her about work for a few more minutes, until Lara broke off to check a message that made her pulse race.
‘Was that him?’ Jazz asked, when Lara looked up again.
‘Yes, how did you know?’
‘The great big grin on your face? You look like you’ve won the lottery.’
Lara laughed – probably for the first time since Harvey had made that terrible phone call. ‘I’m just so relieved. Jazz, we’re not together. He needs the space.’
‘No, but … you need to take this as a wake-up call to sort yourselves out. Go on, go and see him now and send him lots of love from me. In a friendly sense, of course.’
‘I will.’ Lara could not deny that she felt huge relief at receiving the message. He’d asked her if she would ‘pop round if she could as he’d really love to see her’, adding that his parents were out.
