I have two families.
Who would ever have thought that I would have to choose?
They haven’t found him. He stayed in the hospital for a few days to clear up the infection.
As soon as he was able, he walked out.
I don’t know if he told the doctors how he was bitten, but they didn’t mention it to Melanie.
She would have told me.
I’m glad she doesn’t know.
I try not to think about him because I don’t miss him and I know that I should. He was my dad. For a while.
Melanie is very thin and quiet. She says it’s because she’s tired. And I know that she is, but I think she’s sad about him too.
If she loved him like I love her it must be really hard for her that he’s missing.
Love seems like it should be a wonderful thing, but sometimes it’s like the infection in his leg.
Her heart limps now.
But we’re happy, aren’t we, Boy?
When you open your eyes you’ll be so excited that you’re upstairs on my bed with me.
It still feels strange after so long in the doghouse to have a soft mattress and four walls around us.
I miss the fresh air sometimes.
Melanie says that you can stay here with me as long as you need to. She says that we three must never be separated. Not unless I choose.
I’m glad about that.
We’re so lucky.
Never.
That means forever.
Hello, Boy. This is a funny time to wake up. It’s the middle of the night.
You’re wagging!
Gentle, gentle. Go gentle, Boy.
Don’t worry about the tubes, they’re helping you.
Melanie will take them out when you’re better.
Thanks for the lick.
I’m glad your tongue’s not dry anymore.
You’re shifting around like you’re not comfortable.
I’m not either.
This bed is too soft for both of us. We’re sinking into it.
And it’s hot. We need more fresh air. I’ll open the window.
Are you awake? It’s still hot. Too hot.
Do you think
Wait here.
Come on, Boy, let’s go.
You can open your eyes now. Look around you.
We’re back!
Can you recognise it? Doesn’t it look beautiful?
It’s just the doghouse. But I’ve brought out some things to make it more comfortable.
Look, there’s the rug and the light from Jake’s room. I’ve put some books and photographs up there on the shelf.
And we’re lying on his comforter.
I didn’t ask Melanie because she’s asleep, but she said yesterday that I can use anything of Jake’s, so I don’t think she’ll mind.
Isn’t it lovely to have something soft, but not too soft, to lie on? Remember all those days and nights when the ground felt as hard as iron under our bodies?
I’m the most comfortable I’ve ever been.
It’s perfect.
Just you and me, and Melanie asleep there in the house.
I think I’ll ask her if we can have breakfast out here tomorrow.
Maybe lunch too.
All of us.
You look so happy. Are you dreaming of squirrels?
I’m happy too, Boy.
I never knew life could be this good.
If you’re well enough tomorrow I’ll take you to the park.
Goodnight, Boy.
I love you.
Goodnight.
Acknowledgements
It takes a TON of people to make a book, and there’s only one name on the front, but I’ve had the help of so many friends and professionals, whether it was by reading early drafts, advising me on writing someone whose experience is very different to my own, listening to me and making appropriate noises as I go through the various stages of pain, or just putting up with ready meals when my edits are in.
The one person who, of course, makes all of this possible is my wonderful agent, Julia Churchill (you must NEVER leave, Julia), closely followed by everyone at Oneworld, especially Juliet Mabey for supporting me in writing Goodnight, Boy, my editor Roisin Heycock, copy-editor Victoria Blunden, cover designer Ed Bettison, Paul Nash in production, Shadi Doostdar in editorial, and all-round marketing superstar Cailin Neal.
I’ll put the rest of you here in no particular order. I love you all x
My family (you know who you are), Lisa Heathfield, Allie Rogers, Allan Boroughs, Sarah Crossan, Isilda Almeida, John McCullough, Lucy Cage, Susanna Drew-Edwards, Sandi Fikuart, Deborah Price, Jane Mcloughlin, Tatum Flynn, Pip Jones, Catherine Johnson, Jon Walter, Kristina Amstrom, Clare Barry, Sarah Dewsbery, Dawn Siddens, Sher Benjamin, Paula Slinn and Jane Bartlett.
And to Tinker and Coco, who are the masters of unconditional love, and really like to hold hands.
A Rock the Boat Book
First published in the UK by Rock the Boat,
an imprint of Oneworld Publications, 2017
This ebook published by Rock the Boat, an imprint of Oneworld Publications, 2017
Copyright © Nikki Sheehan 2017
The moral right of Nikki Sheehan to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
All rights reserved
Copyright under Berne Convention
A CIP record for this title is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-78607-210-8
ISBN 978-1-78607-211-5 (ebook)
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Oneworld Publications
10 Bloomsbury Street
London WC1B 3SR
England
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Goodnight, Boy Page 16
