If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Twenty Eight

Part 28

Tom’s POV

Sucking in a deep breath I head into Anne’s room, starring at the floor trying to build up enough courage to look at her. The rhythmic beeping of her heart monitor telling me that for now at least, she’s still with me. Slowly I lift my eyes up to look at her. I take a deep involuntary sharp intake of breath, she looks so fragile. She’s too pale. Her hair lies limp on the pillow and there are wires everywhere. Up her nose, in the back of her hand and in the crook of her elbow. She’s wearing an oxygen mask and looks so vulnerable. But the worst thing is seeing her like this and knowing there is nothing I can do. I feel so helpless. Tears quickly form in my eyes again, but I don’t bother trying to wipe the away. I’ve given up with that. Slowly walking up to her bedside, I sit down heavily on the chair besides the bed, pulling it as close to her as I possibly can. I stare at her, helpless, desperately wanting to touch her, but at the same time noting wanting to, through fear of hurting her further, so looks so delicate, so I settle on just watching the steady rise and fall of her chest beneath the covers. Eventually after sitting in silence for what feels like hours but was probably only a few minuets, I can’t take it any more. Slowly and ever so gently I reach out and hold her right hand, in both of my own. She feels so cold and I almost instantly pull my hands away again in shock. It's not natural, and just causes the fact that she could be taken away from all too easily hit home even more.   

Sophie’s POV

“Let’s go get that hand looked at.” Nathan says, again as he notices me still cupping my painful right hand in my left.

“I’m okay.” I reply shaking my head. I really should be thankful I only have a burnt hand. I shouldn’t be wasting Nurses time with that when they have more important things to be dealing with.

“No, you’re in pain, we’re going.” Nath says back to me before taking my uninjured hand and pulling me to my feet.

“Nathan, I don’t wanna waste anyone’s time.” I moan as he begins walking me back down the hallway.

“Don’t be silly it’s their job.”

“But I feel stupid when there’s people like Anne who actually need the Doctors and other people.”  Suddenly Nathan pulls me to a stop before turning me to face him and putting his hands on my cheeks forcing me to look at him.

“Sophie, babe. Just listen to me for a sec. Just because your hand isn’t life threatening, and you can live without seeing anyone, doesn’t mean you should go without. You’re in pain, and getting your hand looked at could stop it scarring.” I smile up at him, before begining to walk down the hallway again. He really is so sweet, and always knows all the right things to say.

“Thanks babe.”

“No problem.” He replies as we make it to the Nurses’ desk.

“Hey, Sophie burnt her hand on some coffee, could someone have a look at it please?” He asks. 

“Sure.” The friendly nurse from earlier comes out from behind the desk to look at my hand.

“Sorry for that fact that you had to clean up after me.” I smile sheepishly, as she gently holds my hand examining it.

“Don’t be silly. I know you’re worried about Anne, but she’s in the best hands.” I nod before she continues. "If you’d like to follow me for a minuet I’ll take you to a sink, I want you to keep your hand under the cold water for fifteen minuets. At the end of that time I’ll come back with a little bandage. Okay?”

“Okay.” I smile, before Nath and I start to follow her silently.  Once in the room, I turn the tap on full, and suck in a breath through my teeth as the cold water stings my burnt hand. Nathan stands behind me his arms wrapped around my waist, teasing me about how I’m the only person who can burn my hand so badly on a cup of coffee, and because of this I’m delighted when the nurse comes back into the room.

“You know Nathan, you’d be surprised how many people I’ve treated because of an injury just like this.”

“Ha!” I shout, sticking my tongue out as him, as the Nurse begins to bandage my hand.

“Yeah well, you’re still too clumsy for your own good.” He replies, rubbing my hair with his hand, in a way that he knows annoys me.

“Nathan.” I moan. “I don’t have a brush on me.”  

“That’s a shame.” He laughs, and this time it’s his turn to stick his tongue out.

Roxie’s POV

“Max you’re here!” I call in shock as I see him walking down the hallway towards us. I really did think he would have been striaght back on the first train out of here.

“Where’s Anne?” He slurs at me, and I can see that he’s drunk. Very drunk.

“She’s in there.” I point to the door that leads to her room. “But you can’t go in there yet.” I quickly add as he takes his first step in the direction that I pointed. But he pays no attention to me as he carries on walking towards the door.  I shoot a panicked look over at Siva, he really can’t go bursting into the room in this state, a hospital isn’t the best place for a fight... Well if you ignore the immediate medical attention that would be on hand, it isn't. 

“Max, just wait out here for a bit.” Siva says, grabbing one of his wrists and pulling him to a stop.  But Max has had way to much drink to listen to reasoning, and to my shock he quickly pushes Siva away, who stubbles backwards from the force, falling into the wall.

“Are you okay?” I gasp in shock. Running towards him and pulling him into a hug.

“Yeah I’m okay.” Siva replies while trying to rub his back without me noticing; narrowing my eyes at him I let it slide. By the time I look back over to where Max was standing he’s gone... “Seev.” I whisper, not wanting to think about what could be about to happen between Max and Tom.

“It’ll be fine.” He says soothingly, while resting his head on my shoulder. “Neither of them are disrespectful enough to fight while Anne’s lying there. It’ll be okay.”

“Yeah...” I sigh, still not convinced.