Page 119 of Washed Up

Lily nodded, sipping her coffee.

‘I got biscuits, too,’ said Dylan, proudly producing a selection of brightly coloured packets.

‘You legend,’ said Frankie.

They munched in silence for a few moments. Then, ‘So… you told your mum, eh?’ said Dylan, giving Frankie a sideways glance.

But it was Lily who replied. ‘Actually, you came back before I got any juicy details, unfortunately. If you’d care to expand, I’m all ears. Like I told Frankie, I need the distraction.’

Dylan laughed. ‘I appreciate the need for distraction, but unfortunately a gentleman never kisses and tells.’

‘Is that a thing? I’m not sure that’s a thing,’ said Lily.

‘Gentleman?’ said Frankie with a snort.

‘Hey,’ said Dylan. ‘I’ll have you know I’ve never told the press anything about my love life.’

Lily practically screamed. ‘Don’t tell me it’s not true about you and Lindsey or I’ll die.’

The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Been googling me, have you, Mrs Jacks?’

It was Lily’s turn to blush but she styled it out. ‘Of course. Anyone with designs on my daughter gets verified and checked thoroughly.’

Frankie coughed. ‘I am right here, you know.’ She turned to Dylan. ‘So it’s not true about Lindsey?’ she said, unable to stop herself from asking.

He shook his head. ‘It’s not true. Nothing you read in the papers is true, surely you know that by now.’

‘We’re bumpkin hermits, remember,’ said Frankie, her heart racing at the news. Somehow it seemed important.

‘Hardly,’ said Dylan with a suggestive wink.

If only he knew the truth, she thought, cringing at how much of a bumpkin she actually was.

‘Ha,’ said her mother, a little sharply. ‘Frankie has never even had a boyfriend.’ Lily looked from one to the other, at their shocked faces. ‘Ah. And I can see she’s never actually told you that.’

Hatred. Frankie had loved her mother for about three seconds, and now she was back to hatred.

‘Mum, why would you say that out loud, for God’s sake?’

Lily shrugged. ‘It’s the truth,’ she said innocently.

Dylan hadn’t spoken or moved a muscle.

Frankie turned to him, wincing. ‘You okay?’ she said cautiously. Her heart thrummed in her chest. If he knew how inexperienced she actually was, what would he think? What would he do? Would this be the shortest relationship in history?

‘I…’ Dylan started to say, but stopped as Dr Mac and a hospital doctor opened the door gently, their faces serious.

‘Here we go,’ said Lily, standing, tears already flowing again.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

The doctor moved further into the tiny room and clasped his hands together. They were all on their feet, desperate for good news. Some news. Any news. Trying to read his face. Neither he nor Dr Mac were giving anything away.

The hospital doctor inhaled, and they all inhaled with him. He frowned, looking around at them all, taking in their terrified faces, the love and anxiety simmering there. Finally, he began to speak.

‘Brian is going to be okay.’ He gave a cautious smile, and Frankie and her mum sagged together, arms around each other. The hatred forgotten. The love was back.