Page 93 of The Wish

‘There’s nothing to say, Dean. Really.’

‘Oh yes there is, for now it will have to be the sincerest thank you a father has ever given to another human being. Thank you.’

‘Between you and me, Dean, let’s keep it that way, OK? Jesse: how’s she doing?’

‘Early days, early days, but hopeful.’

‘Good news. She’s just returned the favour.’

‘What favour? What are you talking about?’

‘I made her wish come true, now she’s made mine.’

‘Alex, get back in here,’ Jesse calls out, her arms out-stretched.

CHAPTER 38

One week later

Alex runs from the lifts waving his arms at the doors in front of him for them to open. He’s in a hurry. Dodging patients, staff and visitors he signals to the nurse standing behind the nurses’ station he’s heading her way. ‘Is Sandy here?’ he asks, looking around.

‘She’s in her office; do you want me to tell her you’re here?’

‘Yes, please, ask her to come to Jesse’s room, I’ll be in there.’

‘Her family are all with her,’ the nurse calls out as Alex hurries on.

‘Jesse,’ he calls out, bursting into her room. An empty room. Shocked, Alex walks slowly towards her bed, quickly glances at the noticeboard, breathes a sigh of relief seeing the posters, photos, drawings all where they were when he was here earlier in the day.

Turning to leave the room he hears Sam laughing and sees the door open onto the balcony. Standing in the doorway he watches the family. Jesse in a wheelchair, her parents either side of her, Sam pacing.

‘Can we go soon, Mum? Jesse, you don’t mind if we don’t stay long?’ Sam asks.

Before Jesse can respond, Mandy kneels and takes Sam’s hands in hers. ‘Honey, we will go when it’s time. Right now this is where we are meant to be.’

‘But Bea, Mum, what about Bea?’

‘Bea is just fine. Judith is with her, spoiling her no doubt and letting her sit on the sofa.’

‘So where did you get the name Bea from again, Sammy?’ Dean asks.

‘It’s short for Beatrice, Dad.’

‘OK, I get that, and?’

‘The day before we went to Alex’s studio, I was reading a book and the girl in it was called Beatrice. She helped people. Alex helps people and I couldn’t name her after him.’

‘Excuse me,’ Alex says, gently tapping on the glass door.

The family turn around as Alex steps towards them, Sam running and wrapping his arms around his waist.

‘I didn’t know you were coming back today,’ Jesse says, wriggling in her wheelchair to face him.

‘Hi, Mandy, Dean, I’m sorry for interrupting your family time,’ Alex says, shaking Dean’s hand, hugging Mandy, looking into the star-filled night sky.

‘We came out here to watch the sunset and it’s such a beautiful night, we thought we’d stay out. It’s so peaceful out here,’ Mandy tells him.

‘Alex, hello, is everything all right?’ Sandy says, bursting out onto the balcony. ‘I’m sorry I took so long; I was on a call and just got your message to come here.’