Back at the hospital, Mary's head was still spinning. George, her darling little boy, almost hit by a car. Almost killed. Just like his father had been. Just like Matthew…
She shook her head and forced herself to drink the cup of coffee she held in her hand. Breathe, she ordered herself, just breathe.
She wasn't very good at coping with crises. Oh Matthew, where are you? She wanted to scream. Our little boy. Our little prince, is in hospital. WHERE ARE YOU?
Her emotions turned from fear to anger. Why wasn't Matthew here? Because he was stupid enough to drive straight into a lorry and get himself killed. She would never forgive him for that.
Angrily she dropped her coffee cup and started pacing the hallway. Privately, she went over every moment of George's life in her head while she walked up and down the hallway.
She was still pacing when Tom arrived.
Tom had brought with him a hamper of food and a change of clothes for Mary, but he had driven back to the hospital so fast and run up to her so quickly that he was nearly out of breath.
Not a word was spoken, as soon as she saw him, Mary went into his arms.
They held each other for a moment, Tom still holding the hamper in one hand. Then Mary backed away and regained her composure. "Thank you for coming back so fast," she said.
"I couldn't stay away for long," he said, putting the basket down on the floor beside them. "Is it over?"
Mary allowed herself to exhale. It was just stitches, after all. "No, not yet."
"Really?" Tom glanced at the operating doors with concern. Mary privately admired his reaction. He was almost as concerned as she was.
Just then Dr. Clarkson came in, smiling.
"Master George Crawley is all patched up, and is doing fine," he stated.
"He's alright?" Mary asked, needing reassurance. Tom smiled and came up behind her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders.
"Of course, he's fine," Dr. Clarkson responded with a little smile directed at Tom. Tom understood. These young mothers, they worry over everything.
Even though he could understand the doctor's feelings, Tom still turned all his attention towards Mary. The doctor had been told about the near-accident, of course, but he didn't understand just how much this day's events had affected Mary. Maybe nobody did, except him.
George was all Mary had left of Matthew – just as Sybbie was all he had left of Sybil. It was something no one could understand if they hadn't gone through it.
George was soon moved to a private room, and Mary and Tom were seated at his bedside. Mary allowed herself to just cry. She rarely did that, but alone, in the room with just Tom and George, she needed to. Tom held her in his arms and rubbed her back as she wept. She had gone through hell that day, and just needed to let it out. Tom held her protectively.