The Many Faces of My Father

Part 1

Half way through English last period my phone vibrates in my pocket. I take it out and switch it on under the table. A text pops up. It’s from Mum.

            Hi Lucy

            I’ve got some bad news. Come to the hospital ASAP.

            DO NOT go back home.

            Mum xxx

            As I read my hands begin to shake and my hair grows a few inches longer, a telltale sign that I’m worried. Being in hospital can’t be good. I have to find out what happened.

            I notice that the door into the car park is open slightly and before I can think twice about it, I’ve run outside.  I hear people shouting after me but I don’t stop. I carry on across the football pitch and onto the main road.

            I’m going so fast I almost forget to stop. I stumble to a halt as a car speeds past me. One more second and I’d have been dead.

            I turn left towards the hospital, not wanting to waste any more time.

            “Hello. Can I help you?” the receptionist at the hospital asks.

            “Yes,” I say, completely out of breath. “I’m here to see Zoe Rendall.”

           “Shouldn’t you be in school?” she says, narrowing her eyes.

            “Um… I… was sent home early!” I blurt out. “To see my mum.”

            “Hm. Ok then,” she says and types something on her computer. “Ward 106, on the fifth floor.” She points to a lift on the right.

            “Thanks,” I walk over to the lift and my stomach starts doing back flips. All sorts of bad thoughts cloud my mind. What happened to Mum? Is it serious? Has she had a fall? Will she need an operation?

            The silver doors slide apart; I step inside and press number 5. All four walls are covered in mirrors. I look at myself and see a lost, scared little girl. I try to put on a brave face, but it doesn’t help.

            Finally the doors open and I find myself in a long, blindingly white corridor. The smell of disinfectant clogs up my nose and I struggle to breathe, from the smell or from worry, I’m not very sure.

            I walk down the corridor until I find Ward 106. I close my eyes and pray that good news is behind the door. My hand reaches out and I knock.

            “Yes?” a stranger’s voice asks. “Come in.”

           Hands shaking, I turn the handle. On the other side is a small room. A man in a lab coat is sitting at a desk and in the far corner…

            “Mum!” I call running to her. She’s wearing one of those silly hospital gowns and lying in a bed. I hug her tight and never want to let go.

            “Oh Lu,” she says, hugging me back. “I’m so glad you’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t come...”

            “You know I would come,” I say, breaking away from her. “I’d come no matter what.”

            I take a step back and look her over. I can’t see anything wrong. No cuts or bruises or bandages.

            “Dear, your eyes are turning gold – you know that’s never a good sign,” she says.