Page 98 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Right then, Bea, this is where you leave us,’ said Leo, giving her hand a last squeeze. ‘You’re in good hands.’
‘Thanks, Leo,’ she whispered.
The doors banged shut and the sound of sirens pierced the night air.
* * *
Bea groaned as she tried to sit up,
‘Owww!’ she said, a sharp pain searing down her left side.
‘It’s okay, sweetheart, don’t try to move.’ Bea’s mum reached for her to try to keep her still.
‘You’re all right, love. We’re here.’ Gordon took her hand to reassure her.
‘Where am I?’ Bea asked, confused, slowly opening her eyes. She winced at the bright lights. ‘What’s happening?’
‘You’re in hospital, love,’ said Carol. ‘You were in an accident.’
‘An accident?’ Bea repeated. ‘No, I was at book club, it was raining and then…’
And then, what?
‘And then… well, I don’t know what happened. Ow,’ she repeated, clasping her side.
‘You’ve got a couple of broken ribs, but you’re going to be okay, Bea, I promise,’ said Gordon, squeezing her hand again.
‘What happened? I can’t remember….’ said Bea, trying to sit up.
‘Here, let me,’ said Carol, propping an extra pillow behind her. ‘Is that better?’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Bea. ‘I’m thirsty,’ she said, aware of how dry her mouth was.
‘Here,’ said Gordon, pouring a glass of water from the jug on the bedside cabinet. ‘And a straw might help,’ he said.
‘Thanks,’ said Bea, leaning forward as he held up the glass for her. ‘Uh,’ she moaned, raising a hand to her mouth, her lips felt swollen and sore. ‘What accident?’
‘A car accident, sweetheart,’ said Carol.
Bea tried to remember. ‘It was raining… and there were lights coming towards me…’
And then? Nothing.
The next thing she could remember was waking up here in a hospital bed.
‘The main thing is you’re going to be okay. You’ll be sore for a few weeks, while those ribs heal, but the doctors are confident there’s no lasting damage,’ said Gordon.
‘Was there another car involved? What happened? Are they okay?’ Bea asked, anxiously.
‘Yes, the driver’s fine, he’s already been discharged. One of the bloody Fallon boys. Over the limit, too. The police want to speak to you, once you’re feeling up to it,’ said Gordon.
‘Oh, okay,’ Bea nodded. She felt so confused. Why couldn’t she remember what had happened?
‘The doctor said you can go home in a couple of days. They need to keep you under observation for a while; you took a pretty nasty bang to the head and it needed stitches,’ Carol explained.
‘Hang on,’ said Bea, any colour she had draining from her face. ‘I was towing the horsebox. What’s happened to it? Is it damaged?’ she asked, pulling at her dad’s arm.
She saw her parents throw each other a worried look.
