Me-Before-You-by-Jojo-Moyes

I left.
I read my magazine, lifting my head only to watch the snow settle thickly around
the house, creeping up the window sills in powdery landscapes. Mum sent me a
text message at 12.30pm, telling me that my father couldn’t get the car down the
road. ‘Don’t set out for home without ringing us first,’ she instructed. I wasn’t
sure what she thought she was going to do – send Dad out with a sledge and a St
Bernard?
I listened to the local news on the radio, the motorway snarl-ups, train
stoppages and temporary school closures that the unexpected blizzard had
brought with it. I went back into Will’s room, and looked at him again. I didn’t
like his colour. He was pale, high points of something bright on each cheek.
‘Will?’ I said softly.
He didn’t stir.
‘Will?’
I began to feel the faint stirrings of panic. I said his name twice more, loudly.
There was no response. Finally, I leant over him. There was no obvious
movement in his face, nothing I could see in his chest. His breath. I should be
able to feel his breath. I put my face down close to his, trying to detect an out
breath. When I couldn’t, I reached out a hand and touched his face gently.
He flinched, his eyes snapping open, just inches from my own.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said, jumping back.
He blinked, glancing around the room, as if he had been somewhere far from
home.
‘It’s Lou,’ I said, when I wasn’t sure if he had recognized me.
His expression was one of mild exasperation. ‘I know.’
‘Do you want some soup?’
‘No. Thank you.’ He closed his eyes.
‘More painkillers?’
There was a faint sheen of sweat on his cheekbone. I put my hand out, his
duvet felt vaguely hot and sweaty. It made me nervous.
‘Is there something I should be doing? I mean, if Nathan can’t get here?’
‘No … I’m fine,’ he murmured, and closed his eyes again.