“God. I’m… really sorry.”
I feel a shiver go down my back as I try to imagine how I’d be feeling if it were Luke in that hospital bed.
“He should be be OK, if he starts looking after himself. These men. They take it all for granted.” She shakes her head. “But coming in here… it teaches you what’s important, doesn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” I say fervently.
We sit quietly for a while, and I think anxiously about Luke. Maybe I’ll get him to start going to the gym a bit more. And eating that low-fat spread stuff that lowers your cholesterol. Just to be on the safe side.
“I should go back,” says the woman, looking at her watch. She smiles at me. “Good to meet you.”
“You too.” I watch as she walks off down the corridor, then stand up and head back to Michael’s room, shaking back my hair and putting on a cheerful expression. No more dissolving into tears.
“Hi!” says Luke as I enter. He’s sitting on a chair by Michael’s bed, and the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed, thank goodness.
“I was just telling Luke,” says Michael as I sit down. “My daughter’s on at me to retire. Or at least downscale. Move to New York.”
“Really? Ooh, yes, do! We’d love that.”
“It’s a good idea,” says Luke. “Bearing in mind you currently do about six full-time jobs.”
“I really like your daughter,” I say enthusiastically. “We had such fun when she came into Barneys. How’s her new job going?”
Michael’s daughter is an attorney who specializes in patent law, and just exudes extreme cleverness. On the other hand, she hadn’t spotted that she was choosing colors that did nothing for her skin tone until I pointed it out to her.
“Very well indeed, thanks. She just moved to Finerman Wallstein,” Michael adds to Luke. “Very swanky offices.”
“I know them,” says Luke. “I use them for personal matters. In fact, last time I went in there was a few weeks ago. Just about my will. Next time, I’ll call in on her.”
“Do that,” says Michael. “She’d like it.”
“Have you made a will, Luke?” I say with interest.
“Of course I’ve made a will.” Luke stares at me. “Haven’t you?”
“No,” I say — then look from Luke to Michael. “What? What is it?”
“Everyone should make a will,” says Michael gravely.
“It never even occurred to me you might not have made one,” says Luke, shaking his head.
“It never even occurred to me to make one!” I say defensively. “I mean, I’m only twenty-seven.”
“I’ll make an appointment with my lawyer,” says Luke. “We need to sort this out.”
“Well. OK. But honestly…” I give a little shrug. Then a thought occurs to me. “So, who have you left everything to?”
“You,” says Luke. “Minus the odd little bequest.”
“Me?” I gape at him. “Really? Me?”
“It is customary for husbands to leave their property to their wives,” he says with a small smile. “Or do you object?”
“No! Of course not! I just… kind of… didn’t expect it.”
I feel a strange glow of pleasure inside me. Luke’s leaving everything to me!
I don’t know why that should be a surprise. I mean, we live together. We’re getting married. It’s obvious. But still, I can’t help feeling a bit proud.
“Do I take it you’re not planning to leave anything to me?” inquires Luke mildly.
“Of course!” I exclaim. “I mean — of course I will!”
“No pressure,” says Luke, grinning at Michael.
“I will!” I say, growing flustered. “I just hadn’t really thought about it!”
To cover my confusion I reach for a pear and start munching it. Come to think of it, why have I never made a will?
I suppose because I’ve never really thought I’ll die. But I could easily, couldn’t I? I mean, our train could crash on the way back to New York. Or an ax murderer could break into our apartment…
And who would get all my stuff?
Luke’s right. This is an emergency.
“Becky? Are you OK?” I look up to see Luke putting on his coat. “We must go.”
“Thanks for coming,” says Michael, and squeezes my hand as I bend to kiss him. “I really appreciate it.”
“And I’ll be in touch about the wedding,” says Luke, and smiles at Michael. “No skiving your best-man duties.”