TOYL

again?’ Lizzy asked.
    ‘They’ll definitely want to talk to us in more detail,’ Will said. ‘Those were just preliminary questions before. But we’re talking about possible attempted murder here, or even murder, so they’ll want to know more.’
    ‘I really thought he was dead back there,’ Lizzy reflected. ‘When you couldn’t find a pulse, and there was all that blood, I thought that was it.’
    ‘So did I,’ Will admitted. ‘I can’t get those images out of my head – of Richard lying there against the bath. His head was twisted. I thought he’d broken his neck. You never expect to experience something like that. Thank God the paramedics got there quickly.’
    ‘You saved his life,’ Emma said, ‘doing the first aid work on him.’
    ‘I’m not sure I did anything really.’ Will deflected the compliment. ‘But at least he’s got a chance now.’
    ‘Sorry I shouted at you just now. None of us are thinking straight.’
    ‘Don’t worry about it, Em. I probably deserved it. Look –’ He got to his feet and exhaled. ‘I’m going to nip outside, call the others and let them know that the celebrations are on hold. They’ll be wondering where we’ve got to.’
    ‘What are you going to say?’ Emma asked.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Will admitted. ‘That there’s been an accident?’
    ‘Just don’t tell them where we are. I don’t think the hospital would appreciate twenty drunkards descending on the ward. And anyway, I can’t take all the attention, not yet. Not until I’ve had time to let this all sink in.’
    ‘Understood,’ Will replied. ‘I’ll be suitably vague.’
    Emma nodded her thanks.
    ‘I won’t be long,’ he said, ‘and hopefully you’ll have had some good news by the time I get back.’
    ‘I hope so,’ Emma replied.

    ***

    ‘Will’s been gone a while,’ Emma commented, watching a team of medics wheel past an elderly man with an oxygen mask held over his face. The man seemed to look right at her, as if trying to communicate something with his watery eyes. It took her back to a time she had tried to forget.
    ‘Twenty minutes,’ Lizzy confirmed. ‘Maybe he’s having trouble getting in touch with the others.’
    ‘Maybe. You know, Lizzy,’ Emma said, as the man on the trolley disappeared around the corner, ‘I really hate these places. It just brings back all the bad memories.’
    ‘Of what happened to your mum?’ Lizzy asked.
    Emma nodded. ‘This was the hospital where she died, of the breast cancer. I came here every day for four weeks, watching her change from being the most energetic person I ever knew into an empty shell. When she died, I said I’d never come back here. I guess I thought it would be too painful, returning to the scene.’
    ‘It’s always painful being reminded that someone you love is gone, no matter how long after the event.’
    ‘It’s her birthday tomorrow.’ Emma gave a painful smile at the thought. ‘She would have been fifty.’
    ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Em.’ Lizzy reached over and put an arm on her back. ‘No wonder this is all bringing back bad memories. If there’s anything I can do – tomorrow, that is – let me know. You need to be with people at a time like this.’
    ‘Thanks,’ Emma replied. ‘Back when Mum was dying Dan was a massive help. Especially with what happened with Dad. When Dad sank into a depression and didn’t want to know, Dan stuck by me. It helped me realise just how special he was. He carried me through it all. But now he’s gone.’
    ‘He’ll be back.’
    ‘I’m really scared, Lizzy,’ Emma said, lowering her voice. ‘What if Dan and Richard did have a fight, and Richard fell and hit his head? What if Dan killed Richard by mistake? I mean, I don’t even know what Richard was doing there – he said he couldn’t make the stag party because he was away on business.’
    ‘Emma,’ Lizzy said, reaching across again to comfort her. ‘We don’t know that Richard is dead. We’ve got to hope for the best. And you’ve got to believe that Dan couldn’t have done this. You said it yourself.’
    ‘But if he didn’t do it, then where is he?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ Lizzy admitted.
    ‘Emma?’
    Emma looked up and saw a fresh-faced man, dressed in a blue shirt, tie and smart trousers. He didn’t look much older than her. The stethoscope around his neck told her that he was a doctor.
    ‘Yes, that’s me.’
    ‘Dr Hennessey.’ He held out his hand. ‘I’m the registrar looking