She mops my tears with a tissue.
“I got the fright of my life when they called. Are you in pain? Do you need anything? Are you comfortable? What can I get you?”
She talks so fast that I cannot answer. “We came as soon as they said. Treena’s looking after Granddad. He sends his love. Well, he sort of made that noise, you know, but we all know what he means. Oh, love, how on earth did you get yourself into this mess? What on earth were you thinking?”
She does not seem to require an answer. All I have to do is lie there. My mother dabs at her eyes, and then again at mine.
“You’re still my daughter. And . . . and I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you and we weren’t . . . you know.”
“Ngung—” I swallow over the words. My tongue feels ridiculous. I sound drunk. “I ngever wanged—”
