As the chopper rises, swings and turns away, heading for the City, I remember something. “Damn!”
Elizabeth slips her hand into mine. “What is it?”
“I just realised. Michael has the car keys. We’re stranded.”
“We’ll get you back home in one of our cars sir,” says a police officer. “Can you give a statement first. It will save us from having to disturb you while you’re dealing with your friend there.” He waves vaguely up into the air after the ambulance.
*****
Later, after both Elizabeth and I give statements, we are offered a ride home in the back of a police car, “Where to Mr Haswell?” asks the officer driving.
“City Central Hospital.”
*****
Five Years Ago - Jenny
A lone figure steps from a bus.
Simply dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, long red hair tied back in a pony-tail, the figure drops a rucksack at her feet, looks right, then left, then all around.
She doesn’t look lost, more…. assessing….
Remembering perhaps….
Then, with a sigh, she swings the rucksack over her shoulder and steps out.
*****
The work isn’t great, and neither is the pay, although there is a little extra for working the midnight shift.
She cleans tables, clears dishes, serves cheap meals and hot drinks to late-night customers. And she is still working when the early shift-workers amble into the road, clearing garbage and rattling bins.
*****
Working behind the cafe bar, making up sandwiches and snacks, at first Jenny doesn't notice.
The large screen over-looking the bar runs daytime TV, blarting out game results and gossip news, soaps and reality shows. Just now it is giving out some actual news, but she’s really not listening. TV holds very little interest for her.
A word penetrates. Blessingmoors….
…. And she jolts upright, dropping the glass she was holding, then swears softly to herself as she cuts herself on the broken glass.
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