Skin Deep Read Online Free PDF Page B

time I wake
either Mum, Dad or Kate (or all three), are sitting round the bed. Marie pops
in at tea time. I’d love to feel Leo’s arms around me, but he doesn’t even know
I’m here. At 7.30pm I’m told I can go home. I’m staying at my parents’ house
for a few days whilst I recover. I go straight to bed when I get there. All I
want to do is sleep.
    ***
    Having skin cancer has given me a
huge wake-up call. Why haven’t I been more
appreciative of life? Why has it taken being ill to open my eyes? Why haven’t I
done more, seen more? I’ve been coasting, playing it too safe, always thinking
I’ve got plenty
of time. What if I haven’t? Things have got to change. In bed later that night, I work on my very own bucket
list:

 
    1.       Go to New York.
    2.       Celebrate my 30 th Birthday.
    3.       Start my own business.
    4.       Go on the London Eye.
    5.       Walk up Mount Snowdon.
    6.       Learn to dance.
    7.       Get a dog.
    8.       See the Northern Lights.
    9.       Read all of Jane Austen’s novels.
    10.       Roller
blade.

 
    I’m ashamed I haven’t done some
of the things on my list before, like going on the London Eye or going up Mount
Snowdon. Of course there’s the not insignificant problem of how I’m going to
finance my trips abroad, not to mention a business, but I’ll find the money
somehow – I’m determined. It feels good to have goals.

Chapter Eleven
      
    I return to Kate’s a few days
later. When my friend arrives home I greet her with a big hug; ‘I’ve made a
shepherd’s pie for tea. Shall I dish it up now? I don’t know about you but I’m
starving.’ Kate smiles and follows me through to the kitchenette. My pie looks
and smells delicious. I laugh as Kate’s stomach rumbles.
    ‘You shouldn’t have gone to so
much trouble, Gemma. We could have had a takeaway to celebrate your first night
back.’
    ‘Oh, it was no trouble,’ I say
brightly. ‘Besides, I need to keep busy.’
    We take our drinks and meals on trays
into the lounge, and plonk ourselves down onto the sofa. I’m wearing a short,
loose skirt partly because we’re having a mini-heat-wave, but also because I’m
finding trousers too tight at the moment due to the dressing on my leg. I note
Kate glance at it, shudder, then look away. Nice. It’s
not infectious! I sigh. Kate can’t help it. ‘So, tell me about work.’
    Kate chats about the goings-on in
the council’s finance department. ‘So, when are you planning on going back to
work?’
    ‘Monday.’ I beam. ‘I can’t wait to get
back to normal.’
    Kate’s jaw drops. ‘Isn’t that a
bit soon?’
    ‘Oh, I’m fine, just a bit sore
that’s all.’
    Kate shakes her head. ‘If you can
call having skin cancer normal.’
    My fork clatters to the floor.
Kate looks down at it, then at me. Her eyes fill with tears. ‘I’m sorry, Gemma.
It’s just, I’ve been so worried.’
    I pull her to me. ‘ It’s okay, Kate. I understand.’ I do understand, I really
do, but I have to look after myself and I don’t think staying here is doing me
any good. I’m grateful to Kate, but I need to get my own place.
    ***
    ‘So, what have I missed?’ I can’t
help but do a little skip round the workroom.
    ‘Not a lot. You’ve only been off
for a week.’ Marie shakes her head, but she’s smiling.
    ‘I’m so glad to be back. I just
want to get back to normal.’ My fingers trail the abundance of flowers, a
delivery of which Marie is trying to check.
    ‘Well, it’s good to have you
back,’ my boss says gruffly as she bends to unpack another crate.
    I inhale the scent of a freesia. Mmm…gorgeous. Over a cuppa and one of my mum’s gorgeous
fairy cakes - a tub of which I brought into work - I confide in Marie: ‘A
customer asked me out.’ I’ve been dying to talk to someone about Leo. I doubt
Mum would understand - she’s too fond of Will - whilst Kate would only worry.
    Marie raises an eyebrow.