Not Dead Yet

125

Roy Grace had tears in his eyes as he watched Cleo cradling their son, in her bed in the maternity ward of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The baby’s pink face was all scrunched up, his eyes were closed, his lips formed a tiny rosebud. Thin tufts of wavy fair hair lay across his head. He was dressed in a pale blue V-neck cotton top, embroidered with a mouse wearing striped shorts.

It was incredible, he thought, unable to take his eyes off him. His son. Their child. He breathed in the sweet smells of freshly washed skin and baby powder. Looked at Cleo, tresses of her hair lying across the shoulders of her nightdress, her face filled with so much love and care.

Then his phone rang. As he answered it, he stepped away from the bed and went out into the corridor. It was Glenn Branson.

‘I’m so sorry, mate, we’re all gutted.’

‘Gutted? What’s happened?’

‘Well, you know – I thought the baby was doing fine – then we saw it in the Argus this morning. I don’t know what to say. How’s Cleo?’

‘Hang on a sec, saw what in the Argus?’

There was a moment of awkward silence. ‘Well – the obit, right?’

‘Obituary?’

‘Yes.’

‘Who’s died?’

There was another silence. ‘Your baby, right? Noah Jack Grace?’

‘What? Are you serious?’

‘Got it on my desk right in front of me. Everyone’s in tears here.’

‘Glenn, there’s been a mistake. We had a horrendous couple of days. Noah was born with breathing difficulties – wet lung syndrome, they called it. They weren’t sure if he was going to make it.’

‘Yeah, you told me. But, you know, you said he was getting stronger.’

‘He was all intubated and wired up in an incubator at first – neither of us was allowed to touch him. But he’s fine now, Cleo’s holding him; hopefully we can take him home soon.’

‘So who the hell screwed up with the obituary?’ Glenn asked.

‘I can’t believe this. You’re sure?’

‘I’ve got it in front of me in black and white.’

‘Shit. I’m going straight down to the shop to get one. I don’t think anyone’s screwed up. Obituaries don’t get put in by mistake,’ Grace said grimly. Inside, he was shaking.