Page 95 of The Wish

Frank pauses, choking back tears, with his voice breaking.

‘You are the bravest person I have ever met. You inspire me to be a better person. And Alex, I knew you could do it. I wasn’t quite sure what it was you were doing, but my goodness, this is incredible. So, Jesse, thanks to you, TriOptics will be making available a similar wish to any child or teenager going through something comparable. I’ll make sure everyone here and at Inspire a Wish knows that.’

Kelly looks at Alex wondering if he wants to say something. She sees how ill at ease he feels, how uncomfortable he is in this environment.

‘We have drinks and nibbles in the foyer, why don’t we all go out and we can keep on chatting there?’

Slowly everyone moves out of the room into the foyer where drinks and plates of food wait. Jesse sees Frank go to Alex and the men shake hands. She excuses herself from Amy and her parents and approaches the men.

‘Oh, Mr Wallace . . .’

‘Please, call me Frank.’

‘OK, Frank it is. Can I have a hug?’ Jesse asks.

Before he can answer she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him on the cheek.

‘There’s one more thing I wanted to say to you. I’m feeling strong enough to speak to reporters if you want to arrange an interview, I know that’s why you agreed for Alex to meet me.’

Frank pulls away, shaken. ‘No, no, that will not happen, I would never subject you to that, I’m so sorry that I even considered it. Not happening.’

‘Thank you. I didn’t really want to do it, but I would have for you, for Alex.’

Alex looks down at his friend, astonished yet again by her maturity and generosity.

He puts his arm loosely around her shoulders.

‘Well, Jesse. I guess it’s a wrap.’

CHAPTER 39

Three months later

‘Alex, there’s someone here to see you.’

Alex responds to the tap on his shoulder more than the words barely heard through the headphones and the screens in front of him which consume him completely.

TriOptics’ receptionist stands behind him with a huge smile on her face. Other heads pop up and look towards Alex, they’ve all heard her talking in a loud voice to get Alex’s attention.

‘What?’ he asks her.

‘There’s someone in reception to see you.’

She pauses before continuing.

‘A woman, a beautiful woman; she said her name is Kelly.’

‘Kelly, Kelly’s here?’ Alex asks standing, glancing at Steve who grins at him before throwing him a wink.

‘Yes, she’s asked if she can see you.’

‘OK, I’m coming.’

Pushing past the receptionist, trying to ignore the smiles and winks coming at him from everyone in the room, Alex rushes outside, the receptionist following quickly behind because she doesn’t want to miss anything.

Opening the door into the reception area Alex sees Kelly standing, looking at the door she presumes he is coming through. The receptionist nudges him.

‘I told her to take a seat,’ she says watching as Alex walks towards Kelly.