Lucca leads me through double doors on the ground floor. “Where are we going? “I’m taking you to the clinic first to have someone look at your feet.” I huff, wishing he would stop fussing, but follow him. After some antibiotic cream, iodine, another course of antibiotics and new dressings, I’m good to go. I buy some flowers, magazines and sweets for Fran from the hospital shop as a goodwill gesture. My stomach back flips when we reach the ward Francesca is in; I have so many mixed emotions about this, and serious doubt my strength to be able to manage. Lucca clutches onto me tightly; he looks worried. I’m still not fully convinced Lucca has moved on from Fran; he says he has, but the type of love they had for one another doesn’t disappear just like that; there’s always going to be history, connection and loyalty. Lucca squeezes my hand just before we enter her private room. Fran looks lifeless lying in the bed. I feel a sharp twinge of pain to my chest as I witness her deathly appearance.
