The rain on Friday morning could do nothing to dampen the optimism that filled the Chapman home in the wake of Clive Turner’s phone call. The silent and preoccupied looking out of the window at breakfast time, which had been the norm for the past few weeks, was now a thing of the past. Smiles and animated conversation were the order of the day. This was the lucky break they had both been praying for. They would still have to wait for a suitable organ to become available for Amanda but for some reason they now both felt sure it would. They had come to a turning-point in the nightmare.
‘What time did you say we’re supposed to be there?’ asked Sandy as he got up from the table to fetch the coffee pot from the hob.
‘Clive said if we’re there about two we can take her over ourselves. That would be nicer than travelling in an ambulance, don’t you think?’
‘Absolutely,’ agreed Sandy. ‘The three of us together again.’ He gave Kate’s shoulder a squeeze as he returned to his seat and re-filled their cups.
‘Shall I make more toast?’
Sandy shook his head. ‘Let’s stop off on the way up to Glasgow for a pub lunch somewhere. What d’you say?’
‘Sounds good,’ agreed Kate. ‘It’s ages since we did anything like that.’
The good mood persisted throughout the journey. The lunch they had at a roadhouse just off the main dual carriageway wasn’t wonderful but it was adequate, and the fact that they were doing something socially together seemed more important than the ordinariness of the fare. Apart from that, it gave them the chance to joke about Scottish culinary skills.
They had the usual problem in finding somewhere to park when they reached the hospital, but today it didn’t seem important. Sandy didn’t seize on it, as he usually did, as an excuse to vent pent-up emotion as anger.
Clive Turner saw them as they entered the ward and gestured to them to come into the office first.
‘How is she?’ asked Sandy.
‘She’s fine,’ replied Turner. ‘She came off dialysis an hour ago so she’ll be okay for a wee while yet.’
‘Plenty of time to get over to Medic Ecosse?’ said Kate.
‘Oh, more than that,’ replied Turner. ‘She’ll be stable for several hours. You can take her for a drive around if you like. Spend some time together. Be a family again.’
‘Do you think she’s up to it?’ asked Kate.
‘She’s tired of course, but I think she’d like to see something other than hospital walls for a while. She’s not up to doing anything strenuous but a bit of visual stimulation will do her nothing but good.’
‘Won’t Medic Ecosse be expecting us?’ asked Sandy.
‘I spoke to them earlier. They’re aware of the situation. Any time before six suits them.’
‘That was very kind,’ said Kate. ‘We owe you a lot.’
‘Not at all,’ said Turner. ‘I only hope it works out well for you. You deserve a bit of luck.’
‘Thanks,’ said Sandy, shaking Turner’s hand. They went through to the ward and found Amanda being dressed by one of the nurses.
‘I’ll do that,’ said Kate, taking over with a smile. ‘It’s not often I get the chance these days.’
Sandy went off to get the car while Kate finished dressing Amanda. He was parked in one of the ambulance bays when Kate emerged, holding the door open for Clive Turner, who was carrying Amanda. Kate and Amanda got into the back of Esmeralda and they left the hospital with much hand-waving from the back window.
‘Dr Turner says you can have an ice cream this afternoon,’ said Kate to Amanda as she cuddled her. ‘Will that be nice?’
Sandy positioned the rear-view mirror so he could watch Amanda’s response. She gave a slight nod and managed a frail smile. Sandy swallowed. She was very weak. ‘I know where we can get the best ice cream in the city,’ he said.
‘Let me guess,’ said Kate. ‘Danielli’s?’
‘Give that woman a coconut,’ said Sandy. ‘We’re going to get the biggest cones Mr Danielli can manage.’
Amanda made a brave attempt at eating hers but quickly lost interest, preferring instead to cuddle against her mother on the back seat. Sandy’s eyes asked the question, what next? Kate shrugged and stroked Amanda’s hair. ‘We could go and see the ducks in the park?’
This idea appealed to Amanda, who nodded with something approaching enthusiasm.
‘Right,’ said Sandy. ‘First we’ll buy some bread.’
They stopped at a bakery on the way to the park and Sandy bought half a dozen bread rolls. Amanda and Kate were given the task of tearing them up into beak-sized pieces while Sandy drove them round to the park and parked Esmeralda by the edge of the pond.
Kate and Amanda stayed in the car — they didn’t want Amanda to catch a chill — while Sandy got out and drew an audience of ducks with the bread. He started edging backwards, laying a trail that brought the ducks towards the car, Pied Piper-fashion. When they were close enough, Kate opened the window and she and Amanda fed them from the window. Sandy watched from the side. More than anything he wanted to hear Amanda laugh; it had been so long since he’d heard the sound. But it wasn’t to be. Amanda dropped breadcrumbs slowly and deliberately and watched the ducks squabble briefly over each offering, but the look in her eyes suggested she was far away.
By four o’clock Amanda was showing signs of sleepiness and Kate said quietly, ‘Maybe we should think about taking her over?’
Sandy nodded and started the car. They were at Medic Ecosse within fifteen minutes.
‘Did Clive Turner give us any paperwork?’ asked Sandy as he parked in the visitors’ bay at the hospital.
‘I don’t think so,’ replied Kate. ‘I thought all that had been dealt with.’
‘Hope you’re right,’ said Sandy. He was anticipating having to explain to a succession of staff members just who they were and why they were there. He was proved wrong almost as soon as they’d entered.
‘Mr and Mrs Chapman?’ said the receptionist with a smile. ‘And Amanda. We’ve been expecting you. I’ll just call Dr Ross. He’ll be down directly. Why don’t you make yourselves comfortable over there.’
She indicated a comfortably furnished waiting area.
Kate sat down with Amanda on her knee; Sandy sat opposite. Amanda was sucking her thumb as she always did when she was tired. She looked at the box of toys put there to keep waiting children amused, but displayed no real interest. Her eyes still had the distant look that brought a lump to his throat. Amanda turned to look at her father and he smiled quickly to hide his sadness. ‘Dr Ross will be here soon, Princess,’ he said. ‘He’s going to make you all better. I promise.’
Amanda continued sucking her thumb.
James Ross appeared, accompanied by Thomas Kinscherf and two nurses. He came over to the Chapmans and introduced himself. His outgoing friendliness immediately put Sandy and Kate at their ease.
‘And this is the little lady who’s not been well,’ said Ross, going down on one knee to take Amanda’s hand and give it a little squeeze. ‘Well, we’ll see about that, won’t we? We’ve got a surprise for you. Do you like surprises?’
Amanda, thumb still in mouth, nodded.
‘Good,’ said Ross. He turned to one of the nurses, who handed him a gift-wrapped parcel which he in turn handed to Amanda. ‘This is for you. Shall I help you open it?’
Amanda nodded again and Ross tore away the paper to reveal a fluffy toy rabbit. ‘This is Albert. What d’you think?’ he asked.
Amanda took her thumb from her mouth and smiled broadly as she took the toy. It was infectious. They all smiled.
‘That was very kind,’ said Kate. Sandy nodded his agreement.
‘Not at all,’ said Ross. ‘We do this for all our young patients.’
Sandy started to remind him that they were not paying customers but Kinscherf stopped him almost immediately. He held up his hand and said, ‘As far as we are concerned, Amanda is our patient and will be treated exactly as any other of our patients. All our people deserve and get the best.’
‘Thank you,’ said Sandy.