Page 82 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
Chapter Sixteen
‘Lexi. What is it? You’ve gone white.’
I shook my head. ‘I don’t know. Did you get any calls?’ I comforted myself that if it had been anything serious, someone would have rung Cal just to see if I was here. I’d told Mum I was going to work on the car this afternoon at Cal’s workshop, although staying longer had been unplanned. But I know they would have tried if they’d hadto.
‘I don’t know. I was stuck to it most of the afternoon so I left it in the office charging. Let me go and get it.’
I nodded briskly, and Cal put an arm around me. ‘I’m sure everything’s fine. Don’t worry, OK? Wait here a minute.’
When he returned, I could see that everything wasn’t fine.
‘What?’
‘I’ve got some missed calls too, and a voicemail from Dan asking me to get you to call himif you were here.’
‘Oh God.’ The words were barely audible and Cal’s arms were back around me. ‘I need to get home.’
‘You’re not driving like this. Let’s get some information first. Give Dan a ring.’
I stared at my phone. I’d been here before. Wanting news but afraid at what it might be. First Dad’s heart scare and then Marco’s accident and now … who?
‘Lexi.’ Cal’s voice was soft.
‘Do youwant me to do it?’
‘No. No, I’ll do it. Thank you.’
I pressed onto my favourites and selected Dan’s name. Another press and the dial tone began to ring in my ear.
‘Lex? You all right? We couldn’t get hold of you.’
‘I’m fine. I’m at Cal’s but his phone was charging in another room. What’s wrong?’
‘OK. Good. It’s Joe. He’s had a bit of an accident.’
I felt my legs buckle and then Cal’s armswere strong around me, holding me, supporting. Words wouldn’t form.
‘Are you still there?’
I swallowed hard. ‘How much is a bit?’
‘Don’t go worrying now. He’s all right. Just a bit bumped and bruised. Hit a patch of black ice and came off the road.’ Dan obviously heard the hitch in my breath, and repeated himself. ‘He’s all right, Lexi. OK? They took him to the hospital and he’s been checkedout thoroughly and he’s back at home. We just knew you’d want to know and didn’t want you hearing something half baked somewhere.’
‘You sure he’s all right? Can I speak to him?’
‘You’re best off leaving it tonight. They gave him some fairly strong painkillers so I imagine he’s asleep. Both of them are probably. You of all people know how tiring worrying can be. You can pop round in the morningand see them.’
‘OK. But you’re sure he’s OK?’
Dan’s laugh drifted down the line. ‘I’m positive. Now go back to doing whatever it was you were doing.’
‘I was just leaving actually. I’ve been helping George and Cal decorate the house some more.’
‘You’re leaving now?’
‘Mmhmm.’
‘OK. Is Cal there?’
