Chapter 8
“Everything okay?” Jayden asked when Mark walked back into the room.
He gave a funny little combined half-shrug, half-nod and perched on the edge of the bed again. “It was Rhian. The woman we’ve been working with about the TV thing.”
“She came here? Fen’s been in the hospital less than forty-eight hours. Fucking vultures.”
Mark shook his head. “It wasn’t like that. She was worried about her.”
Jayden snorted. “Worried about all the money she’s got riding on this project, more like.”
“No, Rhian’s not like that. She’s really nice. She was really awkward when she asked if I’d work with whoever they get to take over on the stuff me and Fen have already put together.”
Jayden barked a short laugh. “See? Trying to pick over the carcass already.” A soft moan from the bed stopped her cold, and Fen’s eyes fluttered open.
“Hey, babe.” Mark ran to the head of the bed. “You’re okay, babe. I’m here. You’re in the hospital. Look who I found lounging around doing nothing as per usual.” He pointed in Jayden’s direction. “The prodigal sister’s returned.”
“Christ, I must be dying, then,” Fen said, her voice little more than a croak.
“Not quite, but I can probably arrange something if you want?” Jayden stooped over the bed from the other side. “The lengths you’ll go to get your own way.”
Fen’s eyes had closed again, but there was a grimace of a smile touching her lips. “I always win the bet, Mogo.”
Jayden was too relieved to see Fen’s eyes open to even care about the hated nickname. She smiled and hoped it didn’t look as sad as it felt. “That’s cos you cheat.”
“I’d take offence to that, but I can’t be arsed right now.” She licked her lips. “Can I get some water?”
Jayden eased a straw between her lips and held the small glass over Fen’s chest. “Slowly.”
Fen nodded and sucked a small sip through the straw. By the time she was finished, she’d drunk half the glass and laid her head back against the pillow to catch her breath. “Better give me the bad news, then,” she said, her voice stronger than it had been before. Mark looked away, tears gathered in his eyes again. “Jesus, I really must be dying after all.” Fen grimaced as she tried to lift one hand to touch him. “Why can’t I move my arm?”
Jayden glanced down and saw it was stuck under the blanket. With a tiny chuckle, she moved and untucked Fen’s uninjured arm so she could lift it. “Sorry about that.”
“You scared the crap out of me. I thought you were gonna tell me I was a quadriplegic or a paraplegic or something. Christ…” She stopped, her gaze fixed on Mark’s fallen face. Her eyes widened, and she looked over to Jayden. “Since Laughing Boy over there’s gone all quiet, I guess it’s up to you to do the dirty work, Baby Sis. What’s the story?”
“Maybe we should hang on a—”
“Just get on with it. I’m still here, still breathing, still looking at your ugly mug, so it can’t be all bad.”
Jayden schooled her face, reminding herself this was about Fen and helping her through it all. She could be strong for her now. God knows she’s been strong for me our whole lives.
“What do you remember?”
Fen concentrated, her brow wrinkled with the effort. “We were walking over the glacier. Oh God. A crevasse opened up right underneath me.” She swallowed and flicked a glance over at Mark. “What’s the damage, then?”
She took hold of Fen’s hand and gently squeezed her fingers. “Broken bones that will heal. Arm, leg, ribs. Dislocated knee.” She tried to find the right words. How did you tell someone—someone you love—something like this?
“Okay, none of that’s too bad. And I must be on some shit-hot painkillers. I can barely feel a thing.”
Mark shook his head and swiped at the tears on his cheek. “I’m so sorry, babe. I’m so sorry.”
“What’re you sorry for? It was an accident. I’ll mend.” He sobbed and hid his head against his shoulder. “Come on, then, out with it. Like a plaster, remember? Hurts less if you do it quick.”
Jayden took a deep breath, sucking in the air that would divest her sister of the freedom she still thought she had. “You have a fracture of the T4 vertebra. They can’t tell if the spinal cord’s damaged or not right now.”
Fen closed her eyes. “That plaster analogy’s a load of shite, isn’t it?”
“I always tried to tell you that.”
“Remind me of this next time.” A tear snaked out of each eye and rushed for her hairline. Jayden reached over and wiped away the one in easy reach. Fen offered her a weak smile. “So what’s the prognosis?”
“They don’t really know yet. Until the swelling goes down, they can’t see what’s really going on in there. At the moment, though, you’re stuck in here, on your back, to make sure it doesn’t get any worse.” She stroked her finger down Fen’s cheek. “I mean it. No moving. I don’t want this to be fixable now, and you go and fuck it all up because you’re impatient.”
“Glad you’re here, Mum.” Fen offered her a watery smile and a cheeky wink.
“Ha bloody ha. I’m being serious here.”
“I know.” She sniffed. “That’s when you most remind me of her.” She squinted. “You need a haircut. You look like a wild woman.”
Jayden sniggered. “Now who sounds like Mum?”
Fen stroked Mark’s back and flicked her eyes towards the door, then back to Jayden. Jayden was more than happy to give them some space. It was going to be hard. But Fen was strong. Not just physically, but mentally too. She’d be okay. She could get through this.
The wall in the corridor was cool against Jayden’s back. The heating system made an attempt to stir the air, and the lights hummed overhead, even though it was the middle of the day. Hospitals were the same the world over. Too many sick people, too many drugs, and too much sorrow.
Well, at least she won’t be pissed with me for quitting my job. Again.