Page 100 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘The other driver was one of the Fallon boys. You know them?’
‘Yep,’ said Nathan, ‘they’ve always been trouble. Their dad caused all those problems for Rose and Scout a couple of years back.’
‘Well, he didn’t have any insurance and was over the limit, too. He’ll be charged, but that doesn’t help Bea,’ Carol sighed. ‘I don’t want her worrying about that now, though.’
‘No, of course not,’ said Nathan. He knew Bea would be devastated, heartbroken. He didn’t want that. ‘What if I get it towed here? We can store it in the barn again, and I can see what needs fixing?’
‘If you don’t mind, that would be one less thing to worry about. Thanks, Nathan.’
‘No worries. I’d like to visit later, if you think she’s up to it?’
‘She’s resting right now, but if you leave it until after lunch, I’m sure she’d love to see you.’
‘Okay, great. I’ll be there,’ he said, relief coursing through him that Bea was okay, even if the wagon wasn’t.
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through to find Leo’s number. The first thing he needed to do was to get the book wagon up to the farm and see exactly how bad the damage was.
* * *
Bea’s pain medication had kicked in, so she was starting to feel better, if a little woozy, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the book wagon.
How bad was the damage? Not knowing was killing her.
Archie and Jess had been to see her before lunch, Jess armed with a bag of pastries from the Cosy Cat and a family-size box of Maltesers, because Bea needed ‘the essentials’. Archie had tried to make her laugh with stories about how bad the food in the hospital canteen was, which made her ribs hurt so much she’d begged him to stop. They’d both been worryingly evasive when she’d asked them about the book wagon, casting furtive glances at one another, neither of them looking her in the eye.
After pushing aside an unappetizing lunch of a limp cheese and tomato sandwich (thank God Jess had brought supplies!), Bea heard a familiar voice approaching her bed.
‘Someone’s looking better than the last time I saw them,’ said Nathan, beaming at her.
He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and the distinct appearance of someone who hadn’t slept.
‘Nathan!’ Bea cried, trying, and failing, to pull herself upright. ‘Owww,’ she winced.
‘Here, let me,’ said Nathan, rushing to help her sit up. ‘Better?’
‘Much. Thanks,’ she said, forcing a pained smile.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, pulling up a chair at the side of the bed.
‘Not too bad,’ she said with a wince. ‘The ribs are the worst. Who knew breathing could hurt so much?’
‘Christ, Bea,’ said Nathan, taking her hand, ‘you gave me a scare last night. I was bloody terrified,’ he said, blinking back tears.
‘I don’t remember a thing,’ she said, squeezing his hand back. ‘Which is probably a good thing, I’m guessing?’
‘Too bloody right it is,’ Nathan replied, shaking his head.
‘I’m just glad you were there. The paramedics said you made the 999 call, stayed with me…’ now it was her turn to fight back the tears.
‘Yeah, well…’ he said, his voice catching, ‘like I was going to do anything else.’
‘The wagon, though? Have you seen it?’ ’
‘Yep,’ he nodded solemnly. ‘It’s at mine. Back in the barn.’
‘And?’ she asked, quietly.
‘It’s not that bad… there’s damage, of course, the inside is…’
