Chapter 9
Nine
Lara locked Tom’s front door and returned the key to the key safe which she also secured.
In the lane, the ambulance moved off, sirens blaring and lights flashing.
After they had carried Tom to the ambulance, she had asked one of them if Tom would be okay, and he had reassured her.
But the sirens and lights knocked her confidence.
She hurried up the lane to her cottage and was met in the hall by Ula and Greg.
‘We hear wailing bells,’ said Ula, a look of concern etched on her pretty face.
‘I saw the ambulance,’ Greg informed her. ‘So you were right about the lights then?’
‘It would appear so. Although the paramedics seemed to think that he hadn’t been there all night.
He was on the floor when we found him, and they said his body didn’t show signs of having been there for that many hours.
They think he might’ve had a fall this morning.
They’ll know more when the doctors examine him.
I managed to contact his grandson. He’s coming down this afternoon.
But I said I’d go to the hospital. Just in case Tom wonders where he is or something.
Is it okay if I leave you two here? I should be back before five-thirty. ’
‘Of course it is,’ said Greg. ‘And don’t you rush back. We can slam the door so it locks behind us.’
‘Thanks. I’ll leave my number on the notepad on the front of the fridge freezer, just in case you need to reach me.’
‘Give our best to Tom,’ Greg said.
‘Please, yes,’ Ula added.
Lara grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge freezer and wrote her mobile number on the notepad and then dashed into the dining room where Greg and Ula were now cleaning.
‘I’m off. Thanks for this. In case I don’t see you later, I assume I’ll see you tomorrow?’
‘Yes,’ Greg said. ‘Just for an hour or so. We’ll be finished by then. Unless you’re unhappy with our work.’
‘From everything that’s been done so far, I’ll be over the moon. See you both tomorrow.’
The rain was really coming down again and Lara raced to her car. Once she had started it, and the digital display had sprung to life, she entered the name of the hospital into the navigation system. It shouldn’t take her long to get there by the look of it.
First, she had to manoeuvre her car carefully so that she didn’t hit Ula’s car or Greg’s van when she pulled out. The lane was just wide enough for two vehicles to pass and she didn’t want to end up on the muddy grass verge because if she did, there was a good chance she would be stuck there.
It took her a couple of seconds more than it should have but she managed it and was on her way to the hospital not that long after the ambulance had sped away in the opposite direction with Tom.
She would have gone the same way if it hadn’t been for that pothole.
But she probably wouldn’t have caught up with them in any event.
Hopefully, her navigation system would get her to the right place.
Poppleton District General was just ten miles away but the weather and the traffic made it slow going and Lara was beginning to panic.
She didn’t enjoy driving in torrential rain.
She knew her parents’ accident had been on a motorway and was caused by an articulated lorry jack-knifing but nevertheless, driving in adverse weather still made her anxious.
Why did it have to be raining today?
Why couldn’t it be like yesterday?
Would Tom’s grandson be okay?
He was coming from London. That meant motorways … and articulated lorries … and…
‘Stop it, Lara!’
She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and then took several long, slow breaths.
‘Everything will be fine. Tom will be fine. His grandson will be fine. You will be fine.’
Her mantra seemed to work and she turned the audio on to listen to her favourite music.
By the time she arrived at the hospital, the rain had stopped and patches of blue sky were visible through the clouds.
She parked her car in the sprawling car park and found her way to the main reception, joining the short queue.
It was only when it was her turn that she remembered she didn’t know Tom’s surname.
‘I need more than just Tom from Old Oak Lane in Bluewater Bay,’ the receptionist informed her in a rather dismissive manner.
‘But I don’t know his surname.’
‘Then I’m afraid I can’t help you, unless you can give me more details. You said the ambulance left his address around thirty minutes ago?’
‘Yes. Oh wait. I know how to get his surname. I just need to make a call.’
‘That’s good. Perhaps you could step aside and come back once you’ve done that.’
‘I won’t have to rejoin the queue, will I? It’s just that Tom is old and on his own and I’m worried.’
The receptionist glared at her and then seemed to mellow. ‘Come back to me and I’ll see what I can do.’
‘Thank you.’
Lara stepped aside and made the call.
‘Bonnie’s Diner. Maud speaking.’
‘Hello, Maud. This is Lara. We spoke earlier. About Tom.’
‘Yes. Hello. Did you find him? Is he okay?’
‘Yes and no. I mean. He will be. We found him in the kitchen, on the floor. He had a fall, I think. But he said a few words to the paramedics and they said they think he’ll be fine.
The ambulance took him to Poppleton District General.
I’ve spoken to his grandson and he’s on his way but he won’t be here for a while.
I’m here now but the thing is, I don’t know Tom’s surname. ’
‘Oh good heavens. That’s dreadful. Poor Tom. It’s kind of you to be there. This is such a shock. Oh. You wanted his surname, didn’t you? It’s Bright. His name is Thomas Bright. But I can come, if you want to leave.’
‘No. It’s fine. I mean, obviously you know him well and I don’t, but I think he’ll be with the doctor, having tests. I just wanted him to know that someone is here until his grandson arrives.’
‘You’re right. And they probably don’t want lots of anxious people hanging around. But you will let me know if you hear anything, won’t you?’
‘Absolutely. Thank you, Maud.’
‘You’re the one who deserves the thanks.’
‘No thanks necessary. I’d better go. The queue’s getting longer by the second. I’ll be in touch. Bye.’
Lara rang off and dashed to the front of the queue. ‘I was here just now. I’m not pushing in,’ she said to the next in line. Then she smiled at the receptionist. ‘Thomas Bright, number one, Old Oak Lane, Bluewater Bay.’
The receptionist was stone-faced as she checked the information on her screen. ‘A and E. Through those doors on the left.’
‘Thank you.’
Lara hurried to A and E wondering why she hadn’t simply looked for the reception area for that in the first place.
Too late to think about that now. She shoved the doors open and stopped in her tracks as they swung shut behind her.
She had expected it to be packed but there were only three people sitting on the row of plastic chairs, and no sign of Tom.
There was, however, another receptionist. Lara braced herself.
‘Excuse me, please. I’m looking for Thomas Bright of number one Old Oak Lane, Bluewater Bay. An ambulance brought him here a short time ago.’
This time the receptionist smiled at her after scanning her screen. ‘Are you a relative?’
‘I’m … a friend. And Tom’s neighbour.’
‘I’m sorry. I can only give information to relatives. Unless you’re his carer or appointed contact.’
‘No. But I am the person who found him and who let in the paramedics. His grandson is driving down from London but he won’t be here for a while. I just want Tom to know I’m here, that’s all. Please. I’ve been worried sick about him.’ She couldn’t stop the tear that rolled down her cheek.
‘Don’t cry. What’s your name, and do you have any identification with you?’
Lara wiped her eyes and searched for her driving licence. ‘Yes. Here it is.’
The receptionist frowned. ‘This says you live in Woking. I thought you said you were his neighbour.’
‘I did. I am. I only arrived yesterday. Can’t you please just tell Tom I’m here? That’s all I’m asking.’
‘Lara?’
Lara spun around at the sound of her name.
‘Tom!’ He was being wheeled across the room on a hospital gurney but he was semi-recumbent, his upper body elevated by plump pillows, and he was smiling.
Although he did have a large lump on his head almost the size of an egg, and by the look of it, a black eye. Lara rushed to his side.
‘This young lady is with me,’ he told the male nurse, with a huge smile.
‘Lucky you,’ the man joked. And then to Lara, he said, ‘Tom’s been telling us he wants to go home, but we’ll be keeping him in for a day or two. I’m taking him to that cubicle, so follow us.’ He nodded to the cubicle at the end of a row of four and continued to push the gurney.
‘He’s okay though, right?’
‘He’s had a fall, and as you can see, a bump to his head. The doctor has had some X-rays and a few tests done, and he’ll come and have a word with you soon. Tom’s on a drip due to mild dehydration.’
‘I am here, you know,’ Tom said.
‘Thankfully,’ said Lara.
The nurse positioned the gurney in the cubicle and flicked on the brake with his foot. ‘I’ll leave you for now but press this if you need anything.’
‘Thank you,’ Lara said.
‘Any chance of a cup of tea?’ Tom asked the nurse.
‘I’ll check with the doctor and if he says yes, I’ll bring one in a minute.’ He smiled at Lara as he left.
‘You gave me quite a fright,’ Lara said, as she sat on the plastic chair on the other side of the gurney.
‘So I hear. I’m sorry about that. Thank you for doing what you did.’
‘You’re welcome. I’ve called your grandson and he’s on his way.’
Tom tutted and shook his head just a fraction, as if it hurt to move it more. ‘I was hoping he didn’t know. He’s a busy lad and I don’t need him coming all this way just because I had a little dizzy spell this morning.’
‘So it was this morning that you had your fall? You were okay last night?’
He narrowed his eyes with a look of confusion. ‘Yes. Why?’
Lara shook her head. ‘Because your lights were off before eight last night.’
His brows shot up as much as his eye and the bump would allow. ‘How do you know that? Been spying on me, have you?’
‘Why does everyone accuse me of spying? All I did was glance at your cottage from my back door. I noticed your lights were off. That’s all. And then, this morning, I noticed they were still off, despite the dark day. I’d hardly call that spying.’
‘Okay. Keep your shirt on. And whatever you call it, it’s lucky for me that you did. So thank you again. I wish you hadn’t called my grandson though.’
‘So do I.’
‘Oh?’
Lara hadn’t meant to say that aloud. ‘He had no idea who I was, so we … had a bit of a misunderstanding. He … is very much like you, isn’t he?’
Tom chuckled. ‘Gave you short shrift, did he?’
‘Let’s just say, he could’ve been nicer. But he was great once he knew I was only trying to help. He thought I was trying to sell you something at first.’
‘The lad doesn’t suffer fools gladly.’
‘So now I’m a fool.’
Tom grinned. ‘I think we established that yesterday, didn’t we? How was your first night in the cottage? When you weren’t spying on your neighbour.’
Lara laughed. ‘It was good, thanks. Oh, and mentioning your name worked miracles. You saved me a fortune. I owe you a pie and a pint.’
‘I think I’m the one who owes you a pie and a pint.’
‘I don’t drink beer. So that’ll have to be a pint of wine.’
‘I’ll get my grandson to pay for that then. A pint of wine won’t come cheap, and I expect you’re used to the good stuff.’
‘Oh, absolutely. Only the best for Lara Grey.’
‘Lara Grey?’ His brows knit together. ‘I didn’t know that was your surname.’
‘Welcome to the club. I didn’t know your surname either.’
‘Lara Grey? Why does that name ring a bell?’
Lara took a deep breath. ‘Do you like art? If so, it’s probably why you know the name. Not because of me. I’m not famous. It’s my parents who are. Or were, I should say. My mum was Laura Grey. My dad was Laurence Grey. They were well known artists.’
‘Well blow me down. It’s a small world for sure.
I’ve got one of your mum’s paintings. I bought it for my Bonnie as an anniversary present because she fell in love with it as soon as she saw it.
It’s of both of our cottages. Yours and mine.
It’s been painted as if the artist was in a boat, out at sea. ’
‘What! We took a boat out for a day when we were here on holiday and we all did sketches. I wonder if…? No. It couldn’t be, could it? But it must be if it’s signed by Mum. It’s definitely signed, Laura Grey?’
‘Definitely.’
‘Oh wow! I can’t believe it. Could I … could I come and see it some time, please?’
‘Of course. Any time. The minute I get out of here. Well, well. Who’d have believed it?’
‘I know, right? It’s astonishing, isn’t it?’
It was more than astonishing, Lara thought. It was almost as if all this was meant to be.