by Alex Slorra
“Abbie! What the hell!” Anna tried to race after them but, after two strides, she had to stop. Her leg was burning, sending spikes of pain along her spine.
With no choice, she slowed to a pace reserved for retired tourists who seemed to have all the time in the world when, in fact, they had much less than everyone else.
A woman cut in front of her. “Anna?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Cathy, one of the first aiders on the island. Abbie is your daughter, right?”
“Yes. Do you know what’s going on? She just raced past me on her pony.” A thought occurred to her. “Is someone hurt? Jessica?” Her body instantly drained of all warmth.
“No, it’s Iain Foster. He’s had a heart attack. Your daughter is taking the AED to him.”
“Oh.” She paused and swallowed the emotion that had threatened to undo her. “Do you know where she’s going?”
“Yes, a field outside the village. She said it was near your paddock. Can you show me the way?”
“I can try.”
“I called the emergency services. They said the air ambulance had already been dispatched, but we need to get there and see if we can help.”
“Who else is there?”
“David Foster and Abbie said your friend, Jessica.”
Cathy took long strides, stopping when Anna failed to keep pace.
“Sorry, my leg is messed up.” Her inability to keep up had become an intense frustration.
“We’ll take my car and try to get as close as we can.” Cathy pointed a short distance along the road. “It’s over there.”
Walking at a painful rate, Anna followed, as Cathy told her what had happened.
“I saw a horse at the café. You don’t see that every day. Perhaps a hundred years ago you might have. I managed to ask your daughter a few questions. It made more sense for her to take the AED. She would get there quicker.”
Cathy unlocked her car, which was parked on a concrete drive beside a pebble-dashed cottage. She glanced at Anna. “Your daughter has a lot of nous for her age. Riding here and collecting the AED.”
“I just hope she doesn’t fall off. It’s the first time I’ve seen our pony jump anything.” Anna ducked into the vehicle. It was started as she shut the passenger door. They sped backwards out into the street, and Anna directed Cathy towards the bridle path that led to her paddock.
THE SOUND OF hooves caused Jessica to turn. Abbie was galloping at full steam in her direction but, this time, from the bottom of the field rather than across the adjacent paddock.
She could see Abbie held a plastic briefcase in her left hand. Abbie pulled Daisy to a stop a few yards from where Mr Foster lay, his shirt already unbuttoned, with David performing CPR. Jessica had corrected his timing more than once but was grateful he had taken over; her arms felt like jelly.
“I’ve got it!” Abbie yelled as she kicked her feet out of the stirrups, swung one leg over the saddle, and jumped onto the grass. Daisy released a loud whinny, before dipping her head to graze.
Taking the defibrillator from Abbie, Jessica squeezed Abbie’s shoulder with her free hand. “Well done!” She spun around and then ran back to David and dropped down beside him. After she’d opened the AED, it started to issue commands in a robotic voice.
“Call emergency services,” the machine demanded.
“Done that,” Jessica muttered, wondering why the air ambulance still hadn’t arrived. It had been at least fifteen minutes. She took in a long breath, which caught in her throat. Enough time had passed that the odds were against Mr Foster’s heart starting—it might be too damaged.
“Pull the blue handle,” the robotic voice insisted.
She did so, opening up a pack containing two wired pads.
“Remove clothing. Remove blue backing plastic and place the pads as shown.”
David looked at her, his face drawn and fatigued. Sweat beaded on his brow.
“You’re doing great, David, keep going,” Jessica said. “I’ll attach the pads.” She shot her head around to Abbie. “Pull the dog away!”
Abbie grabbed Fairweather’s collar and was able to drag the whimpering animal a few yards from her master.
Once the pads were stuck to the dead man’s chest, the machine beeped for ten seconds.
“Stand clear,” the AED said.
David quickly stepped away.
After five more beeps, there was a loud click, and Mr Foster’s body spasmed where it lay.
“Continue CPR,” the AED said without emotion.
“It hasn’t worked!” David’s words were filled with anguish.
Jessica moved quickly on top of Mr Foster and started the compressions again. Fairweather appeared, having broken free of Abbie’s grip.
“We don’t know yet. Pretty sure it always—” She got her counting in sync with the rhythm of her hands against his chest. “Always says to continue CPR.”
To her left, behind David, Abbie stood with her arms crossed. “Abbie, when the helicopter comes, it will spook Daisy. Move her into the paddock. Okay?”
Abbie nodded and mounted her pony. She rode her down the field.
Jessica suddenly felt some resistance to her motion, and she stopped for a moment. Bending over Mr Foster’s mouth, she felt a gentle breath against her cheek and saw his chest rise of its own accord.
“He’s breathing!” She twisted her head to David, who had his hand over his mouth.
“Place the patient in recovery position,” the machine interrupted.
Jessica did so and then double-checked his airways, before rising and placing a hand on David’s shoulder. “Keep talking to him, reassuring him.”
“Okay.” David knelt beside his father.
Jessica took a few more steps away—she needed some space after what she’d just been through.
Abbie returned, coming over to stand beside her.
“You did great. I think you saved his life,” Jessica told her in a whisper.
Abbie hooked her arm into Jessica’s and leaned against her.
I wonder if Anna is still at home? How am I going to find her watch? I should look at the boiler… Clean out the other stables. Oh, Abbie wanted to learn the guitar. Maybe start her on open chords— She cut off her thoughts; she was hiding again, hiding from the seriousness of what had happened.
Fairweather started barking moments before the sound of a helicopter’s rotor cut through the air, and four sets of eyes turned to watch it approach.
The next ten minutes passed without Jessica registering them. The helicopter landed in the centre of the field. Two paramedics disembarked and saw to Mr Foster while asking Jessica questions. They couldn’t say how the man was, other than he was alive.
Anna and another woman, who said her name was Cathy, had arrived.
Jessica watched as the paramedics tried to stop Fairweather from boarding the helicopter, but the dog jumped past them. Seconds later, they took off with the collie, David, and his father on board.
Cathy collected the spent defibrillator, saying she would drop by tomorrow. Jessica wasn’t sure why, except possibly Cathy thought she hadn’t handled the incident correctly and wanted to talk about it.
“Are you all right?” Anna asked.
“Fine. You don’t need to keep asking me that,” Jessica said a little too forcefully.
“Okay,” Anna responded without anger. “We should head back to the house. I’ll make us some lunch.”
Jessica didn’t want to move—she was out of phase with everything. A few minutes passed as she tried to gather herself.
Approaching along the fence, Abbie led Daisy to where they stood. Anna remained close by.
Jessica made eye contact with Anna’s. “I hope I’ve done the right thing…with David’s father,” she whispered.
“You always do the right thing.” Anna put an arm around her and hugged her.
Jessica sighed. “I don’t know…”
Anna’s hand slipped into hers. “Let’s go
.”
“If it’s okay, I’ll come in a bit. I need to clear my head.”
“Of course, it’s okay.”
Daisy snorted behind Anna, causing her to turn away. “Don’t be long,” she said over her shoulder.
Abbie helped Anna onto Daisy before they ambled away in the direction of the farm. Jessica couldn’t see them as individuals. They appeared as a single unit, encapsulated in some kind of bubble. She wondered if she would ever be part of such a haven. Anna had said she had feelings for her, but fate had shown Jessica, in the most painful way, that such things were beyond what she deserved.
She ducked under the fence and entered the paddock again. She picked up one of the crossbeams used for Daisy’s jumps and went to the spot where Anna had fallen during the storm. During the previous hour, clouds had swamped the sky, dimming the sunlight and making it harder to see detail on the ground.
“You couldn’t just make the sun glint off it, could you! It’s not like I’m asking for much. Just to find a simple watch. You can’t even do that for me, can you? Holy Island, my ass… Come to think of it, when have you ever done anything for me? Except one big problem after the next. What next? Really? What fucking next?”
She released the beam she was dragging and nudged it with a kick. She dropped to her knees and started at one end. Using the beam as a straight edge, she inspected the ground inch by inch. When she’d completed one length, she rolled it forward and started again.
Hours passed, but still nothing. “It will be right at the end. Or nowhere at all. Carried off by a magpie and dropped into the bloody sea!”
Jessica continued. She didn’t know why she was so angry. The events of the day seemed to have released everything that plagued her. Life was so short. The thought of going to prison and never seeing Anna and Abbie again felt like a stake through her heart. Why am I not allowed to be happy? Is that too much to ask for? Will I die never having joy?
She realised she hadn’t been concentrating and had to backtrack. Scouring the last five lengths again, she came across a small loop of metal. She picked it up and poked off the mud. It was gold and resembled part of Anna’s watch. She wiped it clean on her sweater, only to discover it was an engagement ring. A small diamond was held in its mounting. It wouldn’t be worth much; the owner must have lost it decades ago, and perhaps the storm had exposed it. She tucked it into her pocket and started forward again.
Her neck was sore, and her knees were soaked by the time she reached the plastic upright she’d originally placed. She sighed. Her arms also hurt, and it took a moment before she remembered why. Performing CPR had taken its toll. She didn’t want to think about Mr Foster lying there, unmoving.
It would be better to get a metal detector. It might not even be here. She wanted to find it for Anna or she’d have nothing to give her.
The thought never counts.
She picked up the plastic upright to reposition it; she’d try a few more lengths before she gave up. Jessica’s brow wrinkled, and she stared down at the patch that was now exposed by the moved standard. I fucking bet it’s there. That’s how it works, that’s how it always works. It’s some kind of joke, causing me to make it harder for myself.
A smell of rotten eggs wafted by, and she spun around to see Kermit staring at her.
“You’ve come to help have you, goat? By gassing me?”
Kermit stood, motionless and unblinking. Jessica turned her back on him. It wasn’t the wisest of things to do, but she no longer cared if he butted her into the mud.
On her hands and knees, she checked the square foot where the standard had stood.
A minute later, a slender, black leather strap dangled from the tips of her pinched fingers. A woman’s gold watch ticked behind a layer of mud. She wiped the face clean, discovering it read 6:30 p.m.
“Okay. Thank God… Maybe,” she muttered, rising to her feet.
I hope David’s father is all right.
She headed back to the farmhouse. Grim determination edged her face. I won’t give up. Not yet. No matter how fucking hard everything always is.
“Boiler next.”
Chapter Eighteen
THE FARMHOUSE DOOR swung open as Jessica thumbed the latch.
Anna stood in front of her. “You’ve finally come back.”
From her tone, Jessica couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or pleased to see her.
“So what else have you been up to?” Anna asked. “Rescuing seamen, fighting injustice?” Anna glanced down at Jessica’s jeans. “Or, by the looks of it, making mud pies?”
“Definitely mud pies. Do you want one?”
“No, but you could have them for your dinner.”
Anna was still blocking the entrance and, despite the banter, Jessica sensed she was about to get a bollocking. Anna had expected her to come back for lunch hours ago.
“Can I come in?” Jessica asked.
“Not yet. I need to say something to you.” Anna took a step towards Jessica and drew her into a tight hug. “I need you to promise me something. I know it won’t be easy for you because you keep everything to yourself. But you mustn’t.” She pressed her cheek against Jessica’s. “You don’t have to carry everything that upsets you. I need you to share those things with me.” Anna’s blue eyes shone with fierce conviction. “It’s important for us.” She deposited a quick kiss on Jessica’s lips. “You promise?”
Jessica nodded. “I’ll try. I’m sorry. I guess I’ve spent too much time on my own.”
“You’re not alone anymore. Please understand that.” Anna shifted to one side, so they both could enter the house. “And, you don’t have to eat mud pies, I’ve made dinner. But you might want to shower first. How’d you get so dirty anyway?”
“Fell over,” she lied. “Any news on David’s father?”
“Beth phoned about an hour ago—” Anna paused. “Iain’s doing all right.” Her voice cracked. “And it’s thanks to you. He’s not completely okay. He’s in the coronary care unit, but he’s been speaking a few words.”
Jessica let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
“Beth and her mother are beside themselves with how grateful they are to you and Abbie.”
“I just hope he gets better soon.”
“I said I’d take Katy and Abbie to school tomorrow, so Beth can go to the hospital. Then I’ll go to the clinic.”
“You’ll be able to drive?”
“My car’s automatic, so I’ll use my right leg. I never learned how to drive a stick shift.”
Anna brushed her fingers down Jessica’s jaw, before sliding them along her neck and onto her shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
Jessica hesitated, but then answered truthfully. “I don’t want to have to go through that again. And… I feel out of sorts. Kind of shook up. I…” She blinked her eyes and looked down, finding it hard to explain her frame of mind. “There’s too much worrying me at the moment, and it turns everything into a pool of mush.”
“We’ll sort it out. You’ve got me now, and that’s not going to change.” Anna kissed her. “Now go have a shower, my heroine.”
Anna was on the phone when Jessica came back down, towelling her hair while wearing a robe. Abbie sat at the kitchen table with her school books spread out in front of her. Her head was low to her pen, and she furiously scribbled in an exercise book.
“I’ll warm up your lasagne, won’t be a sec,” Anna called, with her hand over her phone.
In the lounge, Jessica perched close to the fire and finished drying her hair. She could hear Anna’s conversation and wondered who she was speaking with.
“Yes, that time should work.” Anna’s voice changed in volume as she moved around the kitchen. “Darling, that’s wrong.” There were a few seconds of quiet. “No birthday presents… Unless you want to fix the central heating. The boiler’s not working. You always had a knack with that thing… Okay thanks, tomorrow then.”
Abbie turned up the music coming from her iPhone as Je
ssica entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“That was John. He said he would be here around noon.”
Jessica nodded, but the prospect of talking to him unnerved her. She also didn’t like what she’d heard during the phone call. Darling? They’re divorced. What if… What will she do if I go to prison? Get back with him? She shook her head, just as Anna put a plate of food in front of her.
“Something wrong?” Anna asked.
“No.” Jessica glanced up. She really didn’t know how their relationship stood. It had no future at the moment. While Anna could plan for hers, she had only a cell to look forward to. “Thanks for the dinner.” Jessica attempted a smile.
“You’re welcome.”
JESSICA WOKE WITH a start, remembering it was Anna’s birthday. She quickly got dressed, pulling on her dirty clothes from yesterday. After grabbing a cup of coffee, she went outside. Anna wouldn’t be back until midday, and she hoped to have time to fix the heating.
The error on the boiler had indicated no fuel. She suspected Anna must have checked this but, still, she went over to the rectangular oil tank in the front garden, which was hidden behind a willow screen. Tapping on its side, she could tell it was three-quarters full. She followed a line towards the house where the fuel pipe must run.
Outside the kitchen window, a flower bed had apparently been recently planted. Tall dark-green stalks with yellow and purple flowers were spread throughout. She didn’t know the first thing about plants but, to her, they appeared as extra-large daisies.
She collected a shovel and dug carefully in the loose soil at the bed’s border. It wasn’t long before she uncovered a copper pipe ten inches down that ran towards the oil tank.
Jessica frowned. This should be protected in a channel. She dug further, exposing the fuel line running through the bed. At one point, there was a lateral dent in the pipe. Anna must have made this with the shovel when planting the flowers. Other than the crimp, there was no sign of a leak.