Free Just for a Night by Miranda Lee Page A

their approach, and her eyes matched the rest of her. Large hazel eyes, thickly lashed and immediately smiling at James—as was her lovely coral-glossed mouth.
    But it was the child in the bed who spoke first, the bald-headed, deathly pale, unbelievably thin child, whose big green eyes looked too large for her face.
    â€˜Uncle James!’ Rebecca exclaimed, excitement bringing some colour to her hollow cheeks. ‘Look, it’s Uncle James, Tiffany. And he’s brought my Marina with him!’
    Marina was startled but touched by this term of endearment. And yet it was true, wasn’t it? She was Rebecca’s Marina. They were going to become bonded as few people could be. Her own flesh and blood was going to save this brave little girl’s life. She just knew it would!
    Marina came forward and held out her hands to the child, who took them straight away, without hesitation. Out of the corner of her eye, Marina was aware of the exquisitely lovely Lady Tiffany standing and giving James a peck on the cheek. They also began whispering to each other. She steadfastly ignored the jab of jealousy and gave all her attention to Rebecca, sitting down and giving her a big hug.
    â€˜Oh, Uncle James!’ Rebecca cried afterwards. ‘She’s so pretty. And she has hair the same colour as mine! When I have hair, that is,’ she added, a little self-consciously.
    â€˜You’ll have hair again, my pet,’ Marina said softly, and took the child’s hands again. ‘In no time at all, you’re going to be feeling so well.’
    â€˜Yes, I know. Uncle James rang me this morning and he said we’re going to do it tomorrow. I can’t wait!’
    â€˜Neither can I.’
    â€˜The doctors said it won’t hurt. Of course I’ll be fully asleep, but you have a choice. You can have a general anaethestic, if you like, or just a local. I think you should have a general,’ she advised in all seriousness. ‘Then you won’t have to worry whether it hurts or not. You see, doctors always say things won’t hurt, but mostly they do a bit.’
    Marina’s heart twisted at this seven-year-old tryingto reassure her , the adult. She was like a little adult herself. But that was what pain and sickness did to one. It made you old before your time.
    She’d seen it before in other children, when she’d gone to the hospital to visit her mother and stopped in sometimes at the children’s cancer ward. Her heart had just wept for the poor, brave little darlings who’d seen more misery in their short lives than most people had in a lifetime.
    â€˜I think I’ll be a coward and have a general,’ she confided quietly. ‘I’m not brave like you.’
    Rebecca giggled. ‘Did you hear that, Uncle James? Marina thinks I’m brave. Oh, that’s so funny. I’m not at all brave. I cry all the time when they put those horrid needles in me. I hate needles,’ she whispered to her new friend and confidante.
    â€˜Well, heavens to Betsy, of course you do!’ Marina said indignantly. ‘What self-respecting girl would like needles. Yuk! I shudder just to think of them.’
    Rebecca crowed with laughter. ‘Oh, but you are funny. And you talk funny, too,’ she said, obviously referring to Marina’s accent—though it wasn’t as broad as most, due to her elocution lessons. Marina had always thought she sounded rather British. Clearly she didn’t.
    â€˜But I like it,’ Rebecca announced. ‘And I like you too. She’s smashing, isn’t she, Uncle James?’
    The arrival of a nurse wanting to do a routine check of Rebecca’s vital signs gave James the perfect excuse not to answer. Unfortunately it also meant Marina had to finally face the girl he was to marry.
    Gathering herself, she stood and turned, flinching at the sight of James’s arm around Lady Tiffany’s slender waist.
    On second sight