Page 121 of How To Tackle A Crush
“We’re taking him for an X-ray now. He’s very tender along the forearm. It could just be a bad knock, but I’d rather check properly. It may be a simple fracture.”
Alfie has clearly heard the wordovernight.
“I don’t want to stay here,” he says, voice wobbling again.
I stand and gently put my arm around him.
“I know. But this is just so they can keep an eye on you and make sure you feel better tomorrow.”
His lip trembles.
“Do I have to sleep here?”
“Just one night,” the doctor says gently. “And someone can stay with you.”
Alfie immediately looks at me.
“Can you stay?”
The question hits straight in the chest.
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Of course.”
Alfie relaxes a fraction.
“And now we need that X-ray,” Dr Patel continues.
Alfie looks uncertain again.
“What’re X-rays.”
“You know how dinosaurs have skeletons in museums?” I say.
He nods cautiously.
“It’s like that. A special camera that shows your bones. You get to see the inside bit.”
“My bones?”
“Yes. Proper strong bones.”
That gets his attention.
“Can I see them?”
Dr Patel smiles. “If you want to, yes.”
I look at him.
“Could we just have a minute? He’d like to speak to his dad before you take him.”
“Of course,” he says. “I’ll come back in a moment.”
He disappears behind the curtain.
Alfie’s fingers are still twisted tightly in my sleeve.
“Can we see him?” he asks.
