Page 99 of The Forever Gift

‘Kayla be serious,’ Aiden scolds like a teacher trying to demand a pupil’s attention in class. ‘Seriously though, Mrs Doran,’ Aiden says, making me feel as old as my mother-in-law. ‘If people donate so a family can go down Splash Mountain then I don’t see why they wouldn’t donate to this.’

I take a deep breath and think about Gavin being so distant and stressed out. I think about him not telling me about Molly’s stem cells. About how every time I even mention Kayla’s name he has to leave the room. I know Kayla getting sick has pushed him and Heather closer together. And not just as the parents of a sick child; I’ve seen them become each other’s rock. And I’d be a complete liar if I pretended it didn’t hurt or fill me with jealousy. I’m an outsider looking in. I’m watching Heather and Gavin be there for Kayla, and be there for each other, and I stand by helpless and useless. Maybe this is how I can help. I can’t make medical decisions for Kayla. And I don’t want to. I realised that the moment Molly got dragged into this. But I can help be there for Kayla as a confidant. As a friend. As someone who loves her as if she was my own child. And I make two decisions. I will help Kayla raise as much money as possible and I will give my blessing for Molly to help her sister, even if all we get is a little more time.We all need more time.

I choke back tears. ‘So, you want to buy a bakery?’

FORTY-FOUR

KAYLA

‘Hey, you,’ Mam says, coming into my room carrying a bottle of Coke Zero in one hand, a huge box of chocolates in the other, and her laptop tucked under her arm. ‘I watchedRiverdaleat last. Oh my God, you’re right. It’s so good. We have to watch the next episode together.’

‘Oh, sure. Yeah. Okay,’ I say, pulling myself to sit up.

Mam drops all the stuff onto the bedside chair and hurries around behind me to fluff my pillow or whatever, but she puffs it up too much and I suddenly feel as if I’m sitting on an aeroplane all stiff and awkward. I don’t say anything. I’ll wait until she sits and then I’ll slouch down and get comfortable.

‘Where’s your dad? He hasn’t gone home already, has he?’ Mam sounds disappointed. Or maybe annoyed. ‘He knows I want to talk to him.’

‘He’s in the games room, I think,’ I say. ‘Molly wanted to go play after they got something to eat.’

‘Right,’ Mam says. ‘And Aiden?’

‘Gone with them.’

‘And I suppose Charlotte is down there too. Don’t they know that area is for patients only?’

‘I’m sure it’s okay,’ I say, my eyes heavy with sleep. ‘Lots of the others bring their brothers and sisters down. I don’t think anyone will mind.’

‘I mind,’ Mam mumbles under her breath.

I ignore her bad mood and ask, ‘How did the meeting with Doctor Patterson go?’

‘Yeah. Good. Yeah. Fine.’

‘What?’ I say. ‘Well that was a weird answer.’

‘It was fine, Kayla,’ Mam says. ‘We couldn’t really talk for long. He’s a very busy man.’

‘Okay,’ I sigh, not believing a word out of her mouth. He’s obviously told her something terrible and she’s too freaked out to talk about it. I’ll ask him myself tomorrow when he comes around to check on me.

Mam sits into the chair next to my bed and stares out the window.

‘Okay, seriously,’ I say, unable to hold it in. ‘What did he say?’

Mam doesn’t look at me as she shakes her head.

‘Um, you’re kind of freaking me out,’ I say, sounding as if I have much more energy than I actually do.

Mam takes a deep breath and sighs. I don’t mind that her warm coffee breath hits me.Coffee.At least she’s had something warm to drink, I think, realising that I can’t remember the last time I saw her eat or drink anything.

‘So,Riverdale,’ I say, changing the subject as I eye up the chocolates.Cadbury Milk Tray.Awesome!Except Mam can eat that gross new apple flavour one. I don’t even know what Cadbury were thinking. Yuck.

‘Yup, it’s so good. It’s great, I’m really glad you told me to watch it,’ Mam says, trying to sound excited even though her mind is obviously on Dad and I’ve no doubt she’s desperate to talk to him about all the Molly stuff. ‘Did Dad say when he’ll be back?’ Mam adds.

I shake my head and a sharp, sudden pain darts down my spine. It happens all the time when I move too suddenly. I’m getting used to it.

‘Great,’ Mam groans. ‘That’s just great. What’s the point of him coming in to visit if he’s not going to spend any time with you? Sure, he might as well be in work.’

‘Are you okay?’ I ask. ‘You’re in a mood today. Are you really that pissed off with Dad for taking Molly to play or did something happen with Doctor Patterson? You can tell me, you know. I won’t freak out.’

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