Lynda had been alone for a couple of years and, with Will gone, she’d need companionship.

The urge to talk and giggle with Will about this new development hit her so strongly it took her breath away. She might never be able to do that with him again.

Zara went down into his room and pulled the lounge chair close to the bed, then sat down and took Will’s hand in hers.

If he’d had hair, it would have been wet with sweat—his bald dome was shiny with moisture—she could see it glistening in the dim light from the lamp next to the bed. She looked around for a flannel, but couldn’t see one. Instead she settled for a couple of tissues and blotted the dampness away.

She tried to think of something to say but for once her mind was blank. And every time she started a conversation in her head it sounded stupid to say it out loud.

‘Hey, Will, do you know anything about Mum and this doctor? I was watching them tonight and I reckon there’s something going on between them. Do you know anything?’

There was no answer.

‘He seems nice enough. It would be good for Mum to have a friend, wouldn’t it?’

Silence.

‘I don’t know why she hasn’t mentioned it before now. Maybe she was worried we’d get upset. I even asked her about wanting another friend last night, but she ignored me! I think it’s great, don’t you?’ She paused. ‘I mean, strange, but great. It sort of leaves a funny feeling in my stomach that she’d be with someone other than Dad, but she needs to move on with her life, doesn’t she?’

From outside, Zara heard a car door slam and an engine start. Then lights were cutting through the darkness and making for town.

‘Better change the subject, hey,’ she whispered. She felt an inappropriate urge to giggle. ‘It was nice the blokes from the footy club came and saw you tonight.’

Will moved a little and she felt his hand close around hers. She leaned forward. ‘Hi, sleepyhead.’

‘It feels good to sleep,’ he whispered.

‘If it feels good, I guess you should do it.’

‘I gotta ask you something.’ Will licked his lips and worked his mouth before speaking. ‘I’m frightened. I don’t have a choice about dying now, but I don’t want to go without you or Mum here.’

‘We won’t leave you, Will. I promise. We won’t leave you alone.’

He nodded. ‘You want to know about Mum and James?’

Zara leaned forward. ‘Hell yeah!’

Will tried to smile. ‘I think it started when I had my first round of treatment a couple of years ago. They got to be friends because she was coming to the hospital when I was there, and they’d see each other regularly.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me? Has she ever said anything?’

Will shook his head. ‘Not a word. And it wasn’t my business to tell you. Not my news.’