Louis’ bed was empty when they arrived. Shocked, Cat turned to Ned.
‘We’re too late.’
Then the Ward Sister appeared and beckoned her into a side room where Louis lay struggling to breathe. The Sister whispered to Cat.
‘He’s holding on. I think he knew you were coming, Mrs. Ross.’
The nurse and Ned then left the room, closing the door to leave Cat and Louis alone.
Cat leaned over and kissed him.
‘Louis, I’m here.’
‘Cat? Oh Lord Cat, how will you manage?’
‘Don’t worry Louis; ye’ve enough to think about. Don’t worry about me and the children.’
‘But the baby. I should have─’
‘Louis. ’Tis a gift from God. Somethin’ between us, like the others. Don’t fret.’
Her words seemed to pacify him and he looked at rest. Then he became agitated again.
‘I haven’t─’
‘What, my darlin’? Haven’t what?’ She waited as his laboured breathing filled the air with rasping sounds. ‘What haven’t you done, Pet?’
‘Said, how much you filled my life, my soul. Wanted it to be forever.’
Her tears fell unchecked, dropping onto his pillow as Cat struggled to remain controlled. She couldn’t run away and couldn’t escape from the room because it was all too painful. She knew she had to sit there and see it out as this would be their last conversation.
Louis slept for a while and Cat sat waiting and wondering how much longer he had.
A priest had been summoned and he quietly slipped into the room, opened his bag discreetly and put on his garments for reading Louis the last rites.
After a while, Louis seemed to rouse again.
‘Cat, my love.’ The rasping breaths continued, interspersed with his words of love.
‘First time I saw you. I knew you were the one.’ He stopped talking and became restful.
She sat rigidly in the chair afraid to move, watching his chest rise and fall, listening to the rasp of breath.
The priest came round to her side of the bed and took hold of Cat’s hand.
‘Cat?’
‘Yes, Louis I’m here, Pet,’ she said and took hold of his hand.
Suddenly he opened his eyes, looked at her and said in a very clear voice. ‘Cat. Don’t let go.’
‘I won’t, Louis. I won’t.’