‘Uh-huh. I’m actually going to miss them. I keep checking my phone, wondering when I’m going to get the last one, if I haven’t already.’

I turn my phone over in my hands hoping that I’ll get one more before next week and I see that it’s not on.

‘Shit, I switched my phone off when I went to see Dad in case it interfered with the machines. What if they were trying to contact me?’

I fumble trying to turn it on.

‘You haven’t been out for long, I’m sure everything’s fine.’

I turn and look at the hospital in a panic. What if Claire was looking for me? The sheer number of windows show the scale of how many rooms and corridors there are, and there’s such a hive of activity by the main entrance with people coming and going; she’d never have found me.

‘I think I need to go back in to check everything’s OK.’ I stare at my screen coming back to life; it’s not beeping with any messages but it doesn’t mean to say they haven’t tried to contact me. ‘Do you want to come up?’

‘Actually … I should probably head off.’

‘Oh, right. Yes, of course.’ I try and hide the disappointment in my voice that he’s leaving. ‘Thank you for everything, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you today.’

I lean over to give him a hug but he’s all rigid and tense.

‘I hope everything goes well with your dad’s surgery.’

‘Thanks,’ I say, standing up.

We say our goodbyes and I head off back to the labyrinth of corridors, anxious to see Dad. When I get to the main entrance I turn back, hoping for one last look at Joel and I see him still sitting on the bench with his head hanging in his hands. I’m torn between wanting to check he’s OK and to see Dad.

My phone beeps and I see it’s a text from Claire.

Doctor’s on his way to talk to your dad about surgery. Scheduled for this afternoon. X

I type back that I’m on my way and I hurry through the automatic doors. It’s probably just been a long day for Joel. I’ll send him a message later, letting him know how grateful I am again for all he’s done today, but right now I’ve got to focus on my dad.

Chapter 31