SHE HELD TIGHT TO CILLA’S hand as they stopped outside the hospital room. The three Honeybuns hung back, waiting for her to go inside. Emma took a deep, bracing breath and stepped through the door.
She couldn’t see him. The room was filled with people. Some she knew and a few she didn’t. Someone called her name and she turned to see Angie rushing toward her. Her friend enveloped her in a nearly desperate hug. Emma spotted Pleasance and Nita over Angie’s shoulder. They waved.
Bella called out to her, her arms full of a squiggly baby Matilda. “Hey, Emma!”
Dini hugged her when Angie let go and Fabiana squeezed her shoulder, her dark eyes sad.
Wanda Honeybun enveloped her in a long hug that felt slightly desperate. “Thanks for coming, Emma.”
Emma nodded but found she couldn’t speak.
Wand
