Three Girls From The Valley

Thinking That I'll Never Know chapter 16

"Look much?" A girl asks as Alana, head down runs straight into her knocking the girl's milkshake onto the hospital floor.

"Sorry." Alana replies, wiping the tears from her eyes,

"Nah all good, as my Gamma used to say there's no point in crying over spilt milk when there's a jug still full in the fridge." The girl tells her, "I'm Paige, I've seen you around here a few times. So like you wanna come and get another milkshake?"

"Alana you OK?" Este says coming up behind Alana, 

"I'm fine," Alana answers unconvincingly, Este gently turns her around, placing her hands on her baby sister's shoulders,

"Oh Lonz come on Yelly's going to be fine, she'd never leave you, just like I wouldn't, she'll wake up soon you'll see, she just likes to take her time and do things her own way, you've got to have hope and remember we both love you so much." Este tells her,

"But what if you're wrong?" Alana whispers,

Este pulls her into a hug,

"Squirt it's your big sister you're talking to, I'm never wrong. Oh hey." She says as she notices Paige still standing there covered in strawberry milkshake,

"Oh yeah sorry ah this is um Paige right? I'm Alana and this is my big sister Este," Alana says,

"Hi so Alana did you want to go get that milkshake?" Paige asks with a small grin,

"Oh Este you wouldn't have any money on you would you? I ran into Paige and knocked her milkshake everywhere." Alana asks feeling herself blush,

"Yeah in my bag, I'll go get you some." Este tells her,

"No that's alright, I've still got change on me," Paige says, "You can shout the next time."

"OK thanks," Alana smiles, "Este tell Mom I'm going to the cafeteria, I won't be too long."

"OK squirt have fun." Este replies.

Donna walks down the corridor and stands next to Este,

"Thank you honey." She says to Este.

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A week later Este wakes Alana up for school, she goes to the kitchen to start making breakfast and notices her father's note,

Girls I'll be home by 5PM, Mom will meet us at the hospital

please make sure you are dressed and ready to go to the hospital

Now that your Mom is back at work Este can you pick up Danielle's birthday cake for her please,

I've left the address and some money on the bench for you,

Alana could you blow up these balloons when you get home from school.

Thanks girls see you tonight love dad 

"Morning sleepy head, pancakes, pop tarts or waffles?" Este asks,

Alana still half asleep yawns, "Pop tarts."

"So Dad is gonna be home five PM and then we will all meet Mom at the hospital for D's birthday tonight, Dad wants you to blow these balloons up when you get home from school tonight OK." Este tells her handing her a packet of balloons. "I also thought we could make D a nice birthday card together what do you think?"

"Yeah I guess so." Alana replies not sounding interested in Danielle's birthday celebrations.

"What's up with you?" Este asks,