Niamh was unconscious for a whole week before she finally woke up.
When she came to, her mind was clouded–she couldn’t remember where she was or what had happened.
Everything around her was white and unfamiliar. She struggled to piece things together until a memory flickered: she’d gotten a call from Harmony Senior Residence telling her that her mother had wandered off. She’d rushed out to find her, driving too fast–then there was the accident.
“My mom… Where’s my mom?” Niamh blurted, panic rising in her voice, though she wasn’t even sure who she was asking.
“Nia!” Suddenly, Lana Guthrie’s voice rang out.
“Doctor! Doctor, she’s awake!” Lana shouted as she dashed out to find help.
Moments later, a crowd of doctors and nurses swarmed into the room, nearly filling
it wall to wall.
One of the doctors explained that Niamh was out of danger and recovering well. Lana let out a huge sigh of relief–she even wiped away a tear.
“You have no idea how scared I was,” Lana said, still visibly shaken.
“Lana…” Niamh barely registered her own condition–her thoughts raced straight to her mother. She asked Lana how long she’d been out, and if she knew anything about her mom.
“Your mom’s fine,” Lana assured her quickly. “The day of your accident, someone found her and brought her back to the nursing home.”
Niamh finally relaxed, her breath easing out as if a weight had been lifted from her
chest.
“Who found her? Was it the police?” she asked, curious.
She vaguely remembered the nursing home saying they’d called the police. Surely, it must have been some experienced officer who found her mom.
But really, it didn’t matter who found her or where. The important thing was that nothing bad had happened.
“The doctor said you’re really lucky,” Lana said as she poured Niamh a glass of water. “Everything else is healing up nicely–it’s just your leg that’s badly hurt. But
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you’re out of the woods. In all this misfortune, at least you’re safe
With Lana bustling around, the room felt lively, almost as if there were a whizis group of people keeping Niamh company
“Thank you, Lana. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you right near March said, her eyes turning red with emotion.
People always said you found out who your real friends were in times of trole Every time Niamh needed someone, Lana was always there.
“Hey, you’ve got plenty of people who care about you–it’s not just means reptes flashing a thumbs–up before pointing to the window. “Peter went out to get foot He doesn’t even know you’re awake yet. When he finds out, he’ll probably burst into tears.”
“Oh, come on, you’re exaggerating,” Niamh said with a hoarse laugh.
“Not at all! You have no idea–Peter’s been staying in the family lounge next door ever since you came in. He hasn’t slept well for days, hasn’t gone to work, nothing Lana’s words caught Niamh off guard.
Niamh hadn’t expected Peter to care that much.
“Oh, and there’s Julian…” Lana added, her tone shifting.
Niamh’s eyes widened slightly.
It had been a long time since Lana had even mentioned his name.
Lana noticed the surprise on Niamh’s face–she seemed just as surprised hers “Last I heard, you two weren’t even speaking. But the day of your accident, he showed up before anyone else. His eyes were so red, he looked like he’d been crying for hours.”
As Lana spoke, Niamh couldn’t help but picture Julian sitting all alone outside the ICU on a bench, his eyes swollen and red from crying.
“But he didn’t stay long,” Lana went on, “I think he got a call from home–something serious, by the look on his face.”
Niamh could guess what that was about.
After all, Julian was engaged now. Sneaking off to wait for her in the hospital was probably something he’d done behind his family’s back. The Nevilles would never have approved.
