Page 61 of A Merry Little Christmas
‘Are you all right?’
I looked up and Will was gazing at me, a concerned look on his face.
‘Yes. Sorry, yes... just a bit faint, that’s all.’
‘You need to put your head between your knees,’ he told me. ‘That’s what Alice in my class has to do when her blood sugar drops and she nearly passes out.’
‘Right,’ I mumbled, and I did what he suggested.
‘Do you feel any better?’ Will asked a minute later.
I raised my head and smiled up at him. ‘I do. Thank you.’
‘Are you worried about that car out there, nearly forcing us off the road? Was that what made you feel faint?’
I gave a shaky sigh. ‘I suppose it was. I’ve... seen that car before myself and... well, I had to nip out of the way of it on the pavement pretty smartly, otherwise I might have lost a foot!’ I added, keeping it light-hearted.
‘On thepavement?’ Will looked shocked.
I shrugged. ‘These things happen, I suppose. I think the driver must have lost control for a moment.’
‘That’s pretty dangerous, though.’
‘I thought so.’
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘You know what, Will? I wouldlovesome tea. My other cup will be cold by now.’
‘Shall I put sugar in it? Gran always says that’s good when you’ve had a shock.’
I smiled. ‘Grannies are very wise. Two spoonsful, please.’
‘Okay.’ He dashed out of the room as if getting sugar into me was a matter of life or death. Slowly, I got to my feet and went to the window, making sure I was hidden by the curtain.
The car with its headlights on had gone.
Relief washed through me. What did it mean? Should I report it? But what would I say? That a mysterious car had almost run me over, and I’d seen the same car several more times in suspicious circumstances? Maybe I would call the police, but not right now. I didn’t feel strong enough.
I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, where I could hear snatches of Will talking to someone on the phone: ‘Yes, that’s what she said . . . nearly ran her over and she was really scared...’
I guessed he was probably talking to his friend, Daniel – the one who was playing the part of Donkey in the show.
Ending the call, he peered at me. ‘You look bad. Go and sit down. I’ll bring you your tea.’
‘Thank you, Will.’ I smiled gratefully and returned to the sitting room.
Will brought chocolate biscuits as well, and he sat on the arm of a chair observing me while I drank my tea, like a nurse looking after his patient. We ate biscuits and talked about the school show, and when he casually asked if I wanted to go and see it because his mum had a spare ticket, of course I said I would love to.
‘I’m feeling much better. I’ll be fine from now on,’ I told him at last, releasing him with a smile from his nursing commitment.
‘Okay.’ He got up, then he looked back at me nervously. ‘If you need anything, just shout?’
‘I will. And thank you so much for –’
A ferocious banging on the front door made both of us jump.
‘What onearth?’ I gasped.
