Page 64 of Lost in Love

“I’ll look after her. Please keep me posted on Mr Walker.”

The nurse nodded.

“Thank you.”

Katherine stood outside the door for a moment. She took a deep breath. She didn’t even know if Anna would want her there. They hadn’t parted on any terms except for a lack of trust.

She pushed open the door, unsure what state she would find Anna in. She was sitting on a seat with her back to the door. Katherine could tell she was sobbing from the movements she made.

She didn’t want to make her jump, so she spoke softly. “Anna?”

Anna turned and looked at her; she blinked her red, puffy eyes in disbelief. She jumped up and ran to Katherine. Katherine felt herself respond, wrapping her arms tightly around Anna’s waist and laying her head against hers.

Anna sobbed; her body vibrated against Katherine’s. She pulled away after a few minutes and looked at her.

“How did you know?”

“A blue light and a sixth sense.”

Anna looked at her, baffled.

“I saw the ambulance and then couldn’t rest until I knew you were both safe. I went to your house, and your neighbour was just locking up. Why didn’t you call me?”

Anna shrugged. “I thought we were supposed to be keeping a distance.”

“I think your father’s medical circumstance negates the need for distance, Anna. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Have they said anything about how he is?”

“They are looking at him now, but he’s conscious. That’s a good sign.”

Katherine led her back to where she had been sitting and sat beside her.

“I can’t bear the wait. I need to know if he’s okay.”

“They’ll tell us as soon as they know something.” Katherine placed her hand on Anna’s. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. I was woken by banging and him yelling. When I got up, he was in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. I think he must have been going to the toilet.”

“Did you give him a sleeping tablet?”

“No. We tried them, but he was quite groggy in the mornings, and I struggled to get him up on time to get him ready before I left for work.”

Katherine removed her hand from Anna’s and stood up. “Anna, I prescribed the tablets to keep Harry safe in bed at night, and you stopped them to suit your schedule.”

“Seriously, you’re judging me right now?” Anna glared at her. “You abandon us and then dictate the terms of our schedule.”

Katherine realised she had opened a can of worms she hadn’t intended to. The last thing she wanted was for Anna to ask her to leave. She sat back down. That Anna felt abandoned rocked her to her core. “Sorry, I’m in no position to judge you.”

They remained silent until the door opened and the nurse entered.

“Miss Walker, I can take you to see your father now. We’ve made him comfortable. He is asleep, though, so you can only see him for a few minutes.”

Anna nodded.

“How is he doing?” Katherine looked directly at the nurse.

“I’ll pop back in a minute and give you a full rundown.” She half winked, which Katherine took to mean she wanted to give her the full and frank picture and the basics to Anna so as not to confuse or scare her.