‘Luke!’ Marilyn ran down the hospital corridor at him. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ She grabbed him in a perfume-soaked hug, and he hugged her to him. A second later, he felt a clip around the ear. ‘I told you not to come! What about Rebecca?’
She looked behind him as though Rebecca was going to pop out.
‘She didn’t make the trip. How is he? Dante is in there at the minute. He doesn’t quit work, does he?’
‘He was there when your dad fell. He blames himself, but he’s doing better Luke. He’s trying.’
Dante popped his head around the door, looking Luke up and down.
‘Lukey boy, you look just like your dad. He’s all ready for you.’ He pulled a face at one of the nurses walking past, and she stuck her tongue out at him. ‘The breakfast is gross here. I’m going to go get him something from the café before I go.’
‘No bacon!’ Marilyn checked, and Dante laughed.
‘Fake stuff only, I know.’ He lolloped off. Luke pushed open the door, and there in a room on his own, was Frank.
‘Hi Dad,’ he said, walking over to the bed. His dad did a double take when he saw who was standing at the door.
‘Luke,’ he said, clear as a bell. ‘Here.’
He motioned for his son to come, and Luke sat on the bed and hugged his father tight. He could feel his dad’s arms slowly close around him. He felt different, fragile in his arms. He patted his son on the back with his good arm. Just like he had since he was born.
‘What are you doing here?’
Luke sat in front of his dad and checked him over. He had a dressing on, covering his newly stitched-up head, and a bruise on his cheek.
‘I came to see you, obviously. You didn’t need to headbutt the floor to see me though, you could have just called.’
Frank chuckled.
‘Rebecca?’
Marilyn was standing beside Frank now. She nudged him, and he ignored her.
‘Is she here?’
Luke kissed his dad on the top of his head and took a seat in one of the chairs next to the bed.
‘That’s a bit of a long story, Dad.’
‘Well,’ Frank said, settling down and patting the bed for Marilyn to sit down. ‘We are here all day.’
Luke smiled sadly at them both, and started to talk about France, the plans and the girl in the Alpine café.