Parting of the Waves
Page 15
John took out his phone to tell Cathy the good news and almost at the same time, Gil’s phone rang.
“Gil it’s Mark. The signal isn’t too good so I’ll be brief. I’m still a couple of hours away but I’ve just spoken to one of the officers at the scene. He told me you’d just arrived. From what she told him, it looks like Bridget deliberately put her car in the way of the Cresswells in an attempt to stop them. Remember I said earlier that she wasn’t foolhardy? Well scratch that. This is one of the most idiotic things I’ve ever come across. She is very lucky to be alive.”
Ignoring Mark’s comment Gil asked if he had news on the Cresswells. “They won’t tell me a thing here” he added.
“They’re all on their way to hospital. The two front seat passengers, Malcolm and Rachel have sustained leg fractures and Malcolm’s also got a head injury, but not thought to be life threatening. Sheila, who was in the back was apparently unharmed, apart from suffering from shock. I’m going straight to the scene when I get there and then on to the hospital so I may see you there later.”
“Thanks for the update Mark, hopefully I’ll get more details from Bridget when…”
“Sorry Gil” Mark interrupted. “You’re breaking up, I’ll have to go.”
Tom, who had until this moment held back, walked towards Gil. “Here” he said, taking a hip flask out of his trouser pocket, “have a nip of this lad, you look as though you could do with it.”
Gil took the flask without comment and took a swig. Whisky. Brandy was his tipple but he wasn’t about to complain.
“Thanks Tom” Gil replied.
The paramedic that Gil had been speaking to earlier returned from the front of the vehicle and told Gil they would be setting off soon and asked Gil if he wanted to accompany his sister. “Just try and stop me” was the reply.
“We’ll follow on behind” Celia said.
“There’s no need for you all to come” Gil replied. “Thankfully Bridget’s only got minor injuries so why don’t you all go home. Cathy needs you more than we do.”
“Look here young man” Tom said in a rare moment of assertiveness “that may be the way you do things down south, but up here, we stick together in times of trouble. So no more of these heroics. Do you hear me?”
“Loud and clear Tom. Loud and clear.”
“Well that’s settled then” Celia said. “We’ll follow on but don’t worry if you lose us, this old girl isn’t as spritely as she used to be” she added, patting the Land Rover’s bonnet.
*
Bridget was being kept in hospital overnight, mainly on account of having sustained a slight head injury. Thankfully no further injuries were discovered other than those which the paramedic had diagnosed at the scene. Gil was instructed to ring the hospital after eleven the following morning by which time the doctor should have seen her, and all being well, she would be discharged.
Mark Addison had rung to say he was delayed at the scene of the crash and suggested that Gil got off home to bed. Gil didn’t argue. Suddenly he felt exhausted when the shock of what had happened started to wear off. It was after midnight when they all arrived back at the farmhouse. Cathy had been dozing alone on the sofa having sent Emma to bed earlier as she had school the next day. She awoke with a start when she heard the Land Rover pull up in the courtyard.
“I’m so glad to see you lot” she said, throwing her arms around John. “I must admit I don’t want another night like that in a hurry.”
“I think we’re all with you there lass” Tom replied.
“Can I get anyone anything, tea, coffee, or something stronger?”
“I could murder a cup of tea” Celia said, flopping down in an armchair.
The others agreed. Tom said he would take his up to bed as he too was exhausted.
“I feel so bad about all the trouble we’ve caused” Gil said as he watched the old man shuffle up the stairs. “I know Bridget thought she was doing the right thing but she could so easily have got herself badly injured or worse. And on the eve of your anniversary too Celia.” The night’s events had clearly caught up with him as he suddenly burst into tears.
Celia sat on the arm of his chair and put her arm around him. Cathy sat on the other side and did the same.
“Now stop this nonsense Gil Honeyman and listen to your Aunt Celia. The most important thing is that Bridget is ok” she said sternly. “She acted out of the best of intentions and no-one should blame her for that. You hear so much these days about people who do nothing when they see bad things happen so we should be thanking her, not blaming her. You’ve both been brought up to be caring people in the same way as our John and Ruth so it’s in your blood. Which means there’s nowt you can do about it lad, as your Uncle Tom would say.”
“You’re right Celia” Gil replied wiping his eyes and forcing a smile. “She’s been so wrapped up in this Sheila Cresswell thing ever since we saw her, or rather didn’t see her, on the ferry and I think she just got blinded to any thoughts of her own safety. I really hope it’s all over at last.”
“They’ve got a lot to answer for, these Cresswells, that’s for sure. I’d love to know what they’ve got to say for themselves.”
“Me too Celia” Gil replied “I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Mark Addison interviews them. But from what he said, Malcolm and his daughter Rachel have fractured legs so if they have to have surgery, it could be a day or so before he’s allowed to speak to them.”
“Well it’ll all come out in the wash, one way or another so no use fretting. So, if no-one objects, I’m off to bed too. And if you lot have got any sense, you won’t be far behind me. We’ve all got a big day ahead of us tomorrow don’t forget.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
As he’d been instructed the night before, Gil rang the hospital just after eleven the next morning.
“Good news” he told the family who were all having a late breakfast in the kitchen. “I can pick Bridget up any time after two. The doctor’s just been and has agreed she can be discharged.”
“So why does she have to wait until this afternoon?” John asked.
“She has to have her dressings changed and wait for prescriptions so rather than my having to hang round, the nurse told me if I leave it until after two, she should be ready to go.”
“You’ll need to take a change of clothes with you Gil, and some toiletries” Cathy said.
“Do you know Cathy, I hadn’t given that a thought. Good job one of us is awake.”
“I could sort some things out for her if you like.”
“Yes of course, help yourself, and thanks very much Cathy.”
“I’ll drive you over Gil, it’ll be quicker if we take my car” said John, helping himself to more toast and marmalade. “Besides, I’ll only get roped in to blow up balloons or put up fairy lights or something if I stay here!”
“I heard that John Bradley” his wife said as she threw a tea-towel at him, trying not to laugh. “You may have been up at five to do the milking but that doesn’t mean you get the rest of the day off! Anyway, George said he wants to blow up the balloons after he gets home from school.”
“Lets’ hope he doesn’t burst more than he blows up eh” John replied with a chuckle.
*
Gil and John arrived at the hospital just before two with John deciding to wait in the cafeteria rather than going up to the ward. In truth, the idea of some time on his own with a cup of tea and a newspaper was very appealing. Although he loved his family dearly, a household of eight could on occasions be overwhelming.
After being told at reception which ward Bridget was in, Gil headed for the lift to take him to the second floor. As he arrived at room 212 he spotted Bridget sitting on the side of her bed in the far corner. She had a visitor.
“Hello Mark” Gil said enthusiastically, uncertain of whether to go for a hug or a handshake. Mark’s outstretched hand solved the dilemma for him. He was in public place after all, Gil told himself, anything other than a formal
handshake would clearly be inappropriate and unprofessional. Gil hugged his sister before pulling up a chair and sitting down on the opposite side of the bed to Mark. “So how are you?”
“I’m fine, well I’m feeling a bit sore actually but they’ve given me some more strong painkillers so they should kick in soon. I’m just waiting for a prescription and then I can go.” Bridget looked at the overnight bag that Gil had placed on his lap. “Is that bag for me or are you planning to book yourself in for the night?”
“Sorry Bridge, I’ve brought a change of clothes and some toiletries. It was Cathy’s idea not mine, you know what I’m like.”
“That was good of her but it was quite an effort to get dressed earlier, what with my sprained wrist, so I think I’ll just stay as I am. I’ll have a bath when we get back to the farm and change afterwards.”
“Sounds like a good idea but there’s a toothbrush in there if you want to brush your teeth before we set off.”
“Yes I think I will, I’ll just pop to the bathroom.”
Welcoming the chance to speak to Mark alone, Gil asked if Bridget had explained her actions. He hadn’t wanted her to put her through the ordeal of going over it all yesterday, especially as she had suffered a concussion.
“Yes, we’ve had quite a chat actually. I think she just wanted to get things off her chest. Don’t take this the wrong way Gil, but I had the impression it was easier for her to speak to someone not so emotionally involved.”
“No I understand that Mark, no need to apologise.”
“Well you know how it started as you were there with Bridget tearing off after the Cresswells. She said she soon caught up with them and tried flashing her lights hoping they’d stop, but they didn’t. After a few more miles, her petrol warning light came on and she says she panicked at the thought of being stuck in the middle of nowhere on her own without any money or her mobile phone. So she has the whacky idea that if she blocked the road with her car, they wouldn’t have any choice but to stop. First of all she overtakes them, not difficult in that little hot-rod of hers, drives on for about a mile and then positions her car across the road. She said she chose a spot where the road was straight, so they could see her from some distance and narrower so they couldn’t just drive around her very easily….”
“So she was making some sensible decisions then” Gil interjected.
“Ok, I’ll give her that” Mark replied with a wry smile. “So then she just sits there and waits for them to stop. Only they didn’t. And you know the rest.”
“Why on earth didn’t she get out of the car? Ok, it would still have been a write-off but she wouldn’t have been putting her life at risk. Honestly Bridget, what on earth were you thinking of?” Gil said, shaking his head.
“Did someone mention my name?” Bridget asked as she returned from the bathroom.
“Oh hello love. Mark’s just been telling me what you told him about last night. Maybe now’s not the time or place but what you did was one of the most hare-brained things I think I’ve ever heard of. Whatever possessed you…?”
“As you said Gil, this isn’t the time or place. My head feels as if it’s got a whole steel band playing inside it and there’s not a bit of me that doesn’t hurt. So maybe the lecture can wait for another time.”
“Sorry Bridge, you’re right. It’s just that when I saw those flashing blue lights and Cindy all smashed up, I thought you were…”
“I know Gil, I know. It was very stupid of me to put you and the others through all of that. I don’t know what I was thinking of.”
“Look, let’s leave the inquest for now. I don’t know about you Bridge” Gil replied, trying to lighten the mood “but I’m anxious to ask Mark if there’s any news of the Cresswells.”
“Not yet I’m afraid. Malcolm and Rachel both underwent surgery last night for their leg fractures and Sheila was being treated for shock so we’ve not been allowed anywhere near them yet. I’m hoping to be able to speak to at least one of them later today though.”
“That should be interesting. I suppose they didn’t say anything yesterday?”
“Nothing, other than expressing concern for each other that is. As I was saying to Bridget before you arrived Gil, we’ll need to take a formal statement from her as soon as possible. Can I tell the local station you’ll call in tomorrow?”
“Yes, that should be ok. But the afternoon would be better as if tomorrow morning’s anything like today, it’ll take me a couple of hours to get going” Bridget replied weakly.
“That should be fine. I’ll tell them to expect you some time after lunch. By the way Bridget, your car was towed away by a breakdown lorry so you’ll need to speak to someone while you’re at the station to find out where they’ve taken it, er, her I mean.”
At that point Bridget burst into tears. “I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been and now I’ve gone and wrecked my lovely little car. Did you see her Gil? How bad is she?”
Gil swallowed hard. “There’s quite a bit of damage Bridge but I won’t know the full extent until I take a good look at her.”
“But you could fix her, couldn’t you. I mean if anyone can, you can.”
Gil didn’t think this was the moment to tell Bridget the damage to Cindy looked terminal but neither did he want to give her false hope. His promise to do his best was all he could muster.
“Well I’ll leave you two to get yourselves home. You’ve got a lift I suppose?”
“Yes, our cousin brought us. He’s waiting in the cafe, probably grateful for a bit of peace and quiet, he’s got four kids so he’s probably making the most of it.”
“Ouch, I know how much havoc two can cause, so double that, well, it doesn’t bear thinking about” Mark said with a mock grimace. “So, I’ll be in touch after we’ve spoken to the Cresswells” he said, getting to his feet. “And you young lady, have to promise you’ll never do anything like this ever again.”
“Of course officer” Bridget said, giving the Chief Inspector a cheeky salute. “But I got my man though, didn’t I.”
“Yes you did ma’am. The Mounties would be very proud.” Mark replied, clicking his heels and returning the salute.
*
By the time Gil, Bridget and John arrived back at the farm, guests had started arriving for the anniversary celebrations. The place was packed. The three older children were back from school and were thoroughly enjoying themselves helping out. George was red in the face from his balloon-blowing exertions and had, so far, burst only two. Whether it was accidental or intentional, no-one was quite sure. Hattie was doing her best to attach a huge glittery pink ribbon to Bella’s collar, but she was having none of it. “Bad dog, bad dog” she called, chasing in vain after the poor fleeing collie.
Bridget had a much welcomed soak in the bath and, thanks to Emma’s help with the zip, valiantly struggled into her party frock. Hmm, she said to herself as she looked in the mirror, a black eye and a sling aren’t exactly the accessories I would have chosen.
By the time she and Gil arrived in the barn where the party was being held, the celebrations were in full swing, both metaphorically and literally. Whilst the big-band sound was a little before Celia’s time, it was the music she loved best and a local swing band were playing a medley of her favourites. She and Tom took centre stage as they boogied like teenagers to Glen Miller’s In the Mood. They were very relieved though when Moonlight Serenade slowed things down a bit.
Food was served at eight and the unanimous verdict was that it was a triumph. Simon and his young team of sous-chefs and serving staff were given a richly deserved round of applause and cheers as they took a bow at the end of service.
By twelve, everyone was ready to call it a night and guests who weren’t staying over in the holiday cottages were having “one for the road” as they waited for their taxis. George, who had been allowed to stay up, had fallen asleep under one of the tables. His father cursed under his breath as he tried to extricate his son from his make-shift bed.
“It’s been a wonderful evening” Celia said “we’ll never forget it, will we love?” she said to her husband.
“Aye, it’s been grand” which coming from the reticent Tom was praise indeed.
“I haven’t thanked you properly both for the photograph” Celia said to Gil and Bridget.
“We’re just glad you liked it’ Bridget replied. “I racked my brains to think of something special. I just wished I could have come up with something a bit more original.”
“It wasn’t just the frame, beautiful as it is, but that photograph of us all brought back so many happy memories. The inscription summed it up perfectly, they really were golden days. It’s such a pity that your mum and dad are no longer with us. They would have loved this evening.”
Gil couldn’t quite see his father boogying on down but he understood Celia’s sentiment. “Yes a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, that’s for sure” he replied.
“Come on love, I’m ready for my bed now” Tom said to his wife, as he got rather unsteadily to his feet.”
“Are you ok there Dad?” John asked.
“Aye lad, I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’ll be fine. I have to be don’t I. It’s the anniversary of our wedding night, a night I’ll never forget.” He turned to his wife and took her hand. “Up for a repeat lass?”
“Too much information dad!” John yelled, covering his ears and blushing profusely.
*
While Bridget enjoyed a lie in, the following day John drove Gil to the garage where Bridget’s car had been taken. Rather than leave it until the visit to the police station to find out where Cindy was, Gil decided to ring them first thing. As soon as he set eyes on the vehicle, it was patently clear that his initial impressions had been correct. It was a total write-off. Gil told the garage owner he would contact the insurance company who would make the necessary arrangements. Their next stop was to a car hire company. Gil had already decided that Bridget needed some comfort to travel home so hired a top-of-the-range Mercedes.