When I Fall in Love

by Miranda Dickinson

  Silence. Then Guin burst into hysterical tears and Elsie, exhausted, slumped back in her seat.

  ‘We could have been killed! How did nothing hit us? What are we going to do now? We’re never going to get there! I’m going to give birth on the A27!’

  Shaking, Elsie reached out for Guin’s hand. ‘No, you’re not.’

  ‘I am! And it’s all Joe’s fault! Because if he’d been with me like he promised I wouldn’t be in an exploding car too far from the hospital!’

  Elsie faced her sister, panic beginning to gnaw at her stomach. ‘Guin, look at me – look at me – you have to calm down, for you and the baby. Now come on, breathe with me …’ She took long, slow, deliberate breaths and nodded at Guin to follow her. Gradually, Guin’s breathing began to slow, her tears falling freely as she gripped Elsie’s hand.

  An HGV thundered past and Elsie suddenly remembered the danger of remaining where they were.

  ‘Honey, we have to get out of the car.’

  ‘No! I’m not going anywhere!’

  ‘Guin, we can’t stay here – we’re too close to the road. I’m going to get out and take you onto the grass verge, OK? Keep breathing …’ She puffed her cheeks in and out like a half-crazed nursery school teacher miming breathing for three-year-olds and continued to do it as she climbed out of the car and hurried round to the passenger side.

  ‘What are we going to do?’ Guin moaned as Elsie half-walked, half-carried her to the lush green grass a safe distance from the car. As she looked back she could see the shreds of rubber and bare metal where her front left tyre had once been. Leaving Guin, she ducked back into the car to fetch her bag, located Joe’s number on her mobile and called it.

  Please ring, please … she pleaded silently as the call took an age to connect. Then, to her utter relief, a ringing tone sounded, quickly usurped by the frantic voice of her brother-in-law.

  ‘Elsie, what’s happening? I can’t get through to Guin and she’s not at the house.’

  ‘She’s with me. We’re on our way to hospital, but we’ve just had a tyre blow out.’

  ‘What? Are you OK? Is the baby …?’

  ‘We’re all fine. I’m going to call an ambulance …’

  ‘Elsie! Someone’s stopping!’ Guin called and Elsie looked back to see a black Jaguar parking a few feet away from them.

  ‘Listen, Joe – somebody’s just stopped. They might be able to help. I’m going to pass you to Guin, OK? Just keep talking to her and for heaven’s sake don’t let her know you’re panicking.’

  She hurried over to hand her phone to Guin and ran back towards the black car, waving her hands. The driver’s door opened as she approached.

  ‘Can you help us, please? My sister’s in labour and I have to get her to the hospit’ Words were snatched from her open mouth in an instant.

  ‘OK, get in the car.’

  Shaking her head, Elsie began to back away. ‘Actually, we’re fine. I’m just going to call an ambulance, so …’

  ‘Elsie, your sister’s in labour. Now is not the time for avoidance tactics.’ Torin walked towards her, his brow heavy and determined.

  How could this be happening? Was Torin Stewart some kind of omnipresent entity sent to plague her? ‘I’m calling an ambulance.’

  ‘No, you’re going to help me get your sister into my car and then I’m going to drive you both to the hospital.’

  Elsie opened her mouth to protest but Torin was having none of it.

  ‘Look at her,’ he pointed at Guin, who was half-lying on the verge, sobbing into the phone. ‘Now ask yourself: is your stupid issue with me more important than your sister’s health and the safe delivery of her child?’

  He was right, and everything in her being hated him for it. Guin cried out again and that was all the persuasion Elsie needed. ‘Honey, it’s OK – this gentleman’s going to take us to hospital.’

  Guin grasped Torin and Elsie’s arms as she struggled to her feet. ‘Thank you, thank you so much! I don’t know what happened – there was an explosion or something, and then Elsie managed to get us to the side of the road.’

  ‘I was driving on the other carriageway and saw the whole thing. Your sister’s reactions were very quick – you were lucky to avoid a serious collision.’ He caught Elsie’s eye and she looked away.

  ‘She’s an amazing person,’ Guin gasped, the pain within her building as Torin moved her into the back seat. ‘I’d still be terrified at home if she hadn’t dropped everything and driven over.’

  Elsie fixed her eyes on her sister. ‘I didn’t want you to be alone. Not coming wasn’t an option.’

  With Guin safely belted in and Elsie seated resignedly in the soft cream leather passenger seat, Torin started the car.

  ‘I meant what I said. Your driving was impressive. I saw your car go across the lanes and thought I was going to witness a major accident. That’s why I pulled off at the next junction and turned round.’

  ‘I just did what I had to.’

  ‘Well, you did it well. You should be proud of yourself.’

  ‘Like I need your permission to do that?’ She could feel her fingernails digging into the palms of her hand. Of all the patronising, moronic things to say …

  Torin lowered his voice, his green eyes firmly set ahead. ‘I’m trying to pay you a compliment.’

  Elsie felt her neck tense. ‘I know.’ Trying is the operative word, Torin.

  He sighed. ‘Are you OK? No whiplash or anything?’

  ‘I’m fine.’ Of course I’m not fine! she screamed silently inside. My car just blew up when I was doing sixty miles an hour, I’m scared we won’t make it in time and, to top it all, now I have to sit in a car with you, wishing you were anyone but Torin Stewart …

  ‘All the same, I think we should have someone take a look at you when we get there.’ He lifted his chin to peer into the rear-view mirror at Guin. ‘How are you doing back there?’

  ‘Not bad, considering. Do you two know each other?’

  Elsie surrendered to the inevitable. ‘This is Torin Stewart – my shoplifting rescuer.’

  ‘Ha! No way! And your blind date you totally snubbed? That is priceless – oww …’

  ‘The very same.’ Elsie could feel the intensity of green eyes trained on her, but she refused to look at the driver.

  Guin’s amusement was proving to be a useful distraction from her contractions. ‘I bet she floored you when she unleashed the widow line.’

  Torin gave a self-conscious cough. ‘Er, she did, yeah. Completely.’

  ‘I laughed so much when she told me. To be honest, it sounded like you deserved it. From what she said it sounded like you were being a complete git …’

  ‘Guin!’

  ‘I probably was.’ He dropped his voice to a barely audible whisper. ‘You told her that?’

  ‘I was upset,’ Elsie hissed back.

  ‘So now I’m the laughing stock of your entire family?’

  ‘Don’t flatter yourself.’

  ‘You are unbelievable …’

  ‘Can’t you go any faster?’ Guin called. ‘Only I think my passenger is in a hurry to check out the interior of your car.’

  The thought of the possible outcome of a birth occurring on the beautiful upholstery of his Jaguar was enough to turn Torin into a contender for the Red Bull Racing Team. He jammed the accelerator and the Jaguar roared towards their destination.

  The sight of the hospital caused Guin to burst into tears again and this time Elsie felt like joining her. Ignoring all the No Entry signs, Torin screeched past parked ambulances in the entrance to A&E and parked right by the doors. Two burly paramedics chatting by the open back of an ambulance stood and approached the car, ready for a fight.

  ‘Oi! You can’t park here, mate …’

  Torin jumped out to meet them. ‘I have a lady in labour in my car – can you help?’

  Their anger gone, the paramedics sprang into action, fetching a foldable wheelchair and helping Guin into it, wra
pping a blanket across her. Elsie walked alongside, reassuring her sister. As they reached the automatic doors at the entrance, the taller of the two paramedics grinned at Torin.

  ‘You did well, Mr Knight-in-Shining-Armour. Now move that thing immediately.’

  ‘Sure. Where are you taking her?’

  ‘Maternity, obviously. Don’t worry, sunshine, your lovely girlfriends will be there by the time you’ve found somewhere legal to park.’

  ‘We’re not’ Elsie began, but Guin started guffawing.

  ‘Girlfriends! Ha! Yes, that’s right, both of us are his girlfriends. And it’s his fault I’m in this predicament!’

  Elsie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Guinevere!’

  ‘It is, it’s all his fault,’ Guin continued, halfway between tears and laughter with her contractions. ‘That’s the last time you have sex with me, mister!’ she called over her shoulder.

  Thoroughly embarrassed, Elsie kept her head down and didn’t look back as the doors slid shut behind them.

  The maternity ward was humid and smelled of over-boiled vegetables and disinfectant, its harsh striplights making the backs of Elsie’s eyes ache. She shuddered. She had forgotten how much she hated this smell – that caught at the back of your throat and sank itself into your clothes so that you carried it home with you as a constant reminder …

  The paramedics and nurses bustled Guin into a room and Elsie was left by the nurses’ station, the shock of the situation beginning to take hold. Her sister was bringing a new life into the world, a long-awaited member of the Maynard family, which was too fantastic for words. But the car – the possibility of what might have happened had she not controlled the vehicle, of what could have been lost … A sudden surge of nausea swept over her and she stumbled towards a row of plastic chairs opposite, breathing heavily. Leaning forward, she hugged her knees, willing the giddiness to pass.

  ‘How are you doing?’ asked a friendly female voice.

  Slowly, Elsie dared to raise her head and saw a smiling young nurse standing in front of her. ‘I feel a bit sick.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. I often say to people that the relatives get the rough deal in births. At least mums know what’s happening most of the time. First one, is it?’

  Elsie nodded. ‘How is she?’

  ‘Midwife’s with her now, checking the situation. All standard procedure. Shouldn’t be too long and then you can go in, if you like.’

  The doors to the maternity unit opened and a wild-eyed, red-haired man rushed in. ‘Where is she?’ he demanded.

  Elsie grabbed her brother-in-law’s hand. ‘Joe, calm down. She’s being examined by a midwife.’

  Despite Joe’s panic, the nurse’s smile never wavered and Elsie was taken back in her mind to a different ward, nearly two years ago. Don’t look at their smiles as an indicator of anything, Els. They’re trained to cover all emotion with that smile … In his final hours, Lucas’ distrust of the nursing staff’s perennial smiles had increased. Trust Lucas Webb to be suspicious of the very people who were trying to help him. But then, he had known his time was coming to an end – his frustrations fuelled by the refusal of the nurses and doctors to confirm the fact. He was in pain and scared, Elsie had explained to one of the nurses, worried that he had offended her. Instead, the nurse had placed a hand on Elsie’s shoulder and reassured her that his reaction was more common than she realised. Compared to some of the things I hear in this job, your husband’s a sweetie, love …

  ‘I’ll just go and see how they’re getting along. Try not to worry.’

  Joe sank into the orange plastic chair next to Elsie as the nurse left. ‘How, exactly, does she propose I do that? My wife’s in there, having our baby!’

  Elsie patted his hand. ‘Chin up, Daddy. If it helps, she was laughing like a loon when they took her into the room.’

  ‘Laughing? After your car accident? Isn’t that an indicator of trauma or something?’

  ‘Don’t be daft! She’d just accused a random stranger of knocking her up and laughed all the way up here.’

  Joe ran a hand through his mussed-up hair. ‘Sounds like Guin. Was she really angry with me? We’d planned this out, routes and timings and everything, and you know how hung up on organisation she gets.’

  Elsie smiled. ‘I think she’ll just be glad to see you.’

  ‘Mr Thomas?’ A tall Asian doctor in blue scrubs was heading over to them. ‘I’ve just examined your wife and she’s progressing well. Baby seems to be comfortable and the heartbeat is strong.’

  ‘How long do you think it will be until …?’

  ‘It’s difficult to say at this stage. Could be within the next couple of hours or longer. You’re welcome to go in and see her, if you like.’

  Joe looked at Elsie. ‘Do you want to come?’

  ‘I’ll stay here a while. I think you and Guin should have some time together. Call me if you need anything.’

  ‘OK, thanks!’ Joe was already hurrying away.

  The smiling nurse returned to the station and looked over at Elsie. ‘How are you feeling now?’

  ‘Much better, thanks. Is there anywhere I can get a coffee?’

  ‘There’s a vending machine just out in the corridor, but I wouldn’t trust it if I were you. The café is down on the first floor – take the lift just outside the entrance to this unit and you can’t miss it.’

  Of course there was the café. Elsie knew it well – it had been where they had all gathered after Lucas died. Unable to stay with her husband any longer but unwilling to go home, Elsie had sat on a grey plastic chair in the faceless restaurant, staring at her untouched grey coffee as her family consoled his around her. It was as if the colour had been wrenched from her world, replaced by an indistinct palette of cold greyness under the too-bright striplights … Part of her didn’t want to go there now, the memory still raw. But her newfound voice of reason intervened. It’s just a place. It doesn’t mean anything any more. Still a little shaky, she made her way out of the ward towards the lift and pressed the call button. The vivid green display counted up from G to 3 and the doors opened to reveal Torin, looking a little stressed, carrying two takeaway cups.

  ‘For you,’ he said, handing her a cup and walking past her into the corridor.

  ‘Thank you. I was just on my way to the café.’

  ‘I saved you the journey, then.’ Torin sat down on a row of green plastic chairs along the wall opposite the maternity unit entrance and busied himself with emptying two sachets of sugar into his cup.

  Elsie remained by the lift doors, unsure whether to sit beside him or go back into the unit. She was too tired for a fight but was aware of his defensiveness, its presence reminding her of her ungratefulness in the car. Stuffing as much of her pride away as she could, she crossed the corridor and sat down, one seat away from him. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You already said that.’

  ‘No, I mean thank you for rescuing me. Again. And I’m sorry for being – well, you know. I was just scared and angry at myself and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.’

  Her honesty appeared to surprise him and he twisted in his seat to look directly at her. ‘Thanks for that.’ Lifting his cup, he quickly added: ‘I’m afraid I can’t vouch for the quality of the coffee.’

  Elsie took a sip of the too-hot liquid. ‘It’s a little better than I remember. A bit too hot, though.’

  ‘Drumming up trade for this place, I reckon,’ he smiled. ‘I wonder if they have a burned-palate ward for hospital coffee-related incidents?’

  It was an odd attempt at humour, but in her weary state Elsie smiled regardless. ‘Maybe so.’

  A moment of silence fell between them. Elsie took another tentative sip and gazed down at her work shoes. In the rush to reach Guin, she had completely forgotten that she was still dressed in her retro waitress uniform. No wonder she had received such strange looks from passing motorists when she pulled the car over!

  Torin cleared his throat. ‘So, at t
he risk of sounding cheesy, do you come here often?’ Sudden horror immediately painted his face. ‘Man, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think … That was an incredibly stupid thing to say.’

  ‘It’s my first time on this particular floor,’ Elsie replied, Torin’s utter disgust with his poor-taste joke surprisingly touching. ‘How about you?’

  ‘I don’t generally make a habit of hanging round maternity wards.’ His eyes were very still. ‘How’s your sister?’

  ‘They say it could be a few hours. My brother-in-law Joe is here, at least, and I called Dad and Daisy as we were walking up to the ward. Guin’s doing well, though, so that’s a relief.’ A thought struck her. ‘By the way, I’m sorry about what she said outside.’

  ‘Oh don’t worry about that.’ A slightly naughty smile began to play at the corners of his mouth. ‘Best line I’ve heard for a while. I’m impressed the paramedics thought me capable of tackling two Maynard sisters at once, actually. Although considering what you’re wearing …’

  ‘Eeww, that’s enough, thank you. I think I liked you better when you were apologising.’

  ‘Elsie, I’

  The lift doors opened and Jim appeared, his anxious expression turning to joy when he saw his daughter.

  ‘Dad!’ Elsie stood and hurried across the green vinyl corridor floor to greet him.

  ‘Oh, come here, darling! Are you OK after your ordeal with the car? Daisy told me.’ He hugged her tightly. ‘Such a scary thing to happen!’