Page 114 of Prove You Wrong

Chloe starts sniffing. ‘This smells like bullshit.’

I wince. ‘Nate said something similar.’

‘Truth time.’ She cocks her head with a smirk.

I hesitate, trying to find the courage to confess my fears to Chloe. I’ve spent all this time trying to protect her from them. 'I didn't want to bring a guy into our lives who's going to leave again.'

She takes my hand, roles reversed. ‘He doesn’t seem like the others.’

I groan. ‘That’s what Josie said. But me being distracted with him … it meant I wasn't there for you.’

‘You’re not to blame for … ’ Chloe gestures to all the tubes, wires, and equipment around us, ‘ … this.’

‘No, I am.’ Mum’s voice comes from the doorway.

I have no idea how long she’s been standing there. She enters the room, placing a tray of tea and biscuits on the cabinet beside the bed.

‘I should have been there more. I’m sorry, Chloe.’ She turns to me and I sit up straighter. ‘And Ella, I’ve relied on you too much. I never meant for you to make so many sacrifices. It’s not fair on you — ’

‘Jesus, you two,’ Chloe interrupts. ‘It’s my fucking fault. I made a bad decision. I’m a kid. It’s what we do. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. Fuck!’

My sister’s sudden outburst rings through the air and I find my gaze meeting Mum’s, our eyes equally bugging out in surprise.

‘Swear Jar,’ Mum tuts and then breaks into giggles.

Chloe follows and then I start giggling, too, overwhelmed by the situation.

Eventually, I sigh. 'I'm beginning to think I've made a huge mistake.'

'Monumental.' Chloe nods vehemently.

‘Nathan volunteers for UK Blood Bikes, doesn’t he?’ Mum’s forehead puckers. ‘Could it have been him that delivered the blood for your sister’s transfusion?’

The dull ache behind my ribs erupts. Chloe’s right. I’m a fucking idiot.

Mum perches on the bed, clutching one of Chloe’s legs, and one of mine. ‘Things like this, they shake your very foundations. But they help you clarify who or what your priorities are. You can use them as a new start, too.’ I’m not sure if she’s trying to reassure Chloe or me. Probably both of us. Maybe even herself.

Elbows propped on my knees, I hide my head in my hands, wishing I could bury myself in the hospital sheets.

‘Phone him,’ Chloe urges. ‘Surely you can fix this.’

‘It won’t be too late to sort this, love.’ A soft note soothes in Mum’s voice.

I look up at them both, giving a weak smile.

‘You need to focus on making this right.’ Mum squeezes my hand. ‘No more not living your life trying to help me. We’ll be fine, won’t we Chloe?’

Chloe nods and Mum tips her head as if to ask what the hell I’m waiting for.

Wriggling off the bed, I then stoop over to hug them both. ‘I need to make a call, but not to Nate. Not yet.’

‘Go, then.’ They shoo me from the room.

In the corridor, I head to a quiet area and fish my phone from my bag. I bring up the right name on the screen and tap the phone icon.

As I wait for the call to connect, footsteps pound out from around the corner. Josie’s brother comes into view. His strides shorten as he sees me.

‘Hey, how you feeling?’ I mouth.

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