Page 99 of Plot Twist

Sliding my earphones back in, I checked my watch. I picked up my pace and watched my trainers pound on the pavement, taking me one step closer all the time towards my destination. Glancing up at the huge hospital towering above me, I wondered how many people were staying in there, feeling much worse than me. People with actual real-life cancer, patients in comas, women having babies and adoring them, women having babies and abandoning them. There was always such a mix of stories at hospitals, hidden behind the dull grey buildings and sickly-sweet scent that carried the whole way through the wards.

I flicked to the next song on my phone and navigated my way to the entrance, clutching my letter in my hand in case anyone asked for proof that I was, indeed, the one with the abnormal cells.

My breath caught in the wind as I glanced up, thinking I saw him. I shook my head. It couldn’t be. I looked closer. He stood tall with one foot resting on the wall and his arms folded in front of him, looking from left to right as if he was crossing a busy road.

His gaze finally stopped as his eyes fell on me. I hadn’t imagined it; he was here.

‘What are you doing here?’ I frowned. ‘How did you—’

Riley’s mouth formed a small, gentle smile as he took his foot off the wall and walked towards me. He had taken a smart but casual approach, sporting a light blue jumper and jeans. I looked down at my leggings and long T-shirt and grimaced. I hadn’t exactly expected to see anyone I knew today, never mind Riley. I smoothed my hair back and stopped dead, to allow him to come to me. I tried to figure out how I felt about his sudden appearance at a hospital in Glasgow to accompany me to an appointment I didn’t want him to know about. I suppressed the giddy feeling that paraded around inside me and reminded myself why I was here. The parading could be around some abnormal cells; this wasn’t a celebratory reunion, after all.

‘Your dad posted the letter to Bellinder Cottage,’ Riley explained. ‘You told me that he doesn’t do hospitals and I knew you’d really wish Rae was here to come with you. I had to take a chance, in case you were going to be on your own.’

It was like he had read my mind.

‘You’re giving me a pity smile.’ I looked up into his green eyes and arched my eyebrow.

‘I am not,’ he replied, indignantly. ‘I’m actually just relieved I saw you. I had visions of standing around for hours looking from side to side like a confused puppy. At least you’re here.’

‘I can’t actually believeyou’restanding here.’ I blinked up at him. ‘Where’s Ivy?’

‘I’ve agreed to leave her with Jackie. Just for one day and night,’ Riley said. ‘It’s all part of rebuilding trust.’

Oh. He was ‘rebuilding’ with Jackie– what did that mean? Was he only here to give me moral support? I supposed that was lovely too. Amazing, actually. He’d come all the way here, after all, and he wasn’t even looking for anything in return. A grand gesture, for a friend. Perhaps that was the way it should be.

I smiled up at him. ‘Thanks for coming.’

‘I did think I might have to dive into a bush if you’d turned up with that suave fella, Drew.’

‘He wasn’t invited,’ I said. ‘Anyway, what are you waiting for, Riley O’Connell? Let’s get this show on the road. Some of us have abnormal cells to investigate.’

As we turned to walk through the main entrance, Riley’s hand felt for mine and squeezed it tightly in his. He pulled my arm under his and we walked, arm in arm, through the main door. I squeezed his hand back without looking at him.

‘You glad I’m here?’ he asked.

‘Stop fishing for compliments,’ I replied, with a wry smile. ‘Although yes, I’m glad.’

‘Good.’ He smiled.

It was over. The relief washed over me as I lay on my couch. Riley presented me with a gift-wrapped box.

I unravelled the ribbon tied around it and opened the box, peering inside.

Facemask, a candle, bath salts, an eye mask, a brand-new black notebook with the words ‘Let’s Do This Shit’ emblazoned on the cover, Jaffa Cakes, a game of Scrabble, andMy Best Friend’s Weddingon DVD.

I looked up at him, my eyes shining. ‘You didn’t need to bring me anything. Coming here and being with me was more than enough.’

Riley grinned in reply and shrugged. ‘Do you know how much pressure it is for a romance writer to come up with a gesture? I was in a complete flap about what to do. It’s hardly grand but, you know, I just wanted to do a little something to make you feel better.’

‘Remember I told you I’d never had anyone do anything like that for me before?’ I asked, smelling the salts in the small glass bottles. ‘Now I have. This is the best thing. You being here with me. I am aware how cheesy it sounds and I don’t even care.’

He reached over and placed his warm hand on top of mine.

‘I think I’m starting to rub off a bit on you.’ Riley grinned.

I looked down at his hand on top of mine and back up into his eyes. The feelings for Riley that I’d suppressed came tumbling back all at once. He had been there for it all, inviting me into his home when I was at my lowest point, reassuring me everything would be all right when I quit my job, supporting me with my writing dreams and goals, and waiting for me as I tackled one of the hardest moments of my life. Without even asking. I blinked.

‘I think you might be,’ I replied before following with a whisper. ‘Jackie and Ivy are lucky to have you.’