The Reunion

Chapter 7

ONE YEAR AND TWO MONTHS AGO

Tony had just got home from work. He closed the door behind him and made his way into the living room. His wife, Tracey, was sat on the sofa cradling their three-year-old son, Christian. The boy did not look at all well.

'How is he?' Tony asked.

'He's just listless,' Tracey replied. 'Doesn't like the light; is feeling feverish.'

'What's that rash?'

'The doctor thought that it could be coughing spots,' Tracey answered.

'Coughing spots? What the hell is that?' Tony sounded bewildered.

'Apparently they are tiny blood vessels that burst just under the skin.'

'And you're happy with that diagnosis?' Tony asked.

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'The doctor knows what he's talking about. He's been trained to spot symptoms,' Tracey replied.

Tony felt his son's forehead. 'Christ, he's burning up. Come on, we're going to get a second opinion.'

'Tony, you can't,' said Tracey. 'We're going to look stupid if it is just coughing spots and flu.'

'I'd rather look stupid than they've got it wrong,' Tony responded. 'I take it the other two aren't back yet? I'll just quickly text them to let them know what's going on.'

After messaging his other son and daughter, he drove Tracey and Christian to the accident and emergency department at the local hospital. Fortunately for them it was quite a quiet evening and they were seen almost immediately. After an initial examination everything went in a blur for Tony and Tracey. The doctor was talking to them but they could not understand what he was saying. All they could do was watch as their son was wheeled away and taken to intensive care.

They were sat down by the doctor and she explained to them all about meningococcal meningitis while they waited for their son to have tubes attached to him that would, hopefully, keep him alive. They listened as they were told that about one in ten victims would lose their lives. But the hospital team here would do their utmost to make sure that Christian didn't become one of those negative statistics.

After what seemed like an eternity, they were allowed to sit with their son. As they were shown into the private cubicle, Tracey broke down and wept. She cried into Tony's shoulder as he put

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his arm around her and pulled her close. They would both cry even more over the next twenty-four hours. Especially when Christian's conditioned worsened and the doctors were now talking about septicaemia and the possibility of surgery to remove his hands which, sadly, did occur.

They stayed with him; mainly together but sometimes separately. Graham and Parveen looked after Leia and Harrison, Tony and Tracey's other children, whilst they were at the hospital together. It was a very difficult and traumatic time for the family. Thankfully, Christian pulled through the surgery to remove his limbs and about five months later he was allowed home.

One evening, Tony and Tracey were sat in their living room. Christian had gone to bed; Harrison and Leia were in their respective rooms. Tony had just made a cup of coffee for them both when the doorbell rang. Tracey got up to answer it. Tony could just about hear her voice but could not tell who the visitor was until.

'Hello, Tony,' Gillian said.

Tony stood up. 'Gill! What the hell are you doing here?' He didn't say it amicably but Gillian had not expected him to.