Chapter 43 Anna
Anna
It’s Friday morning, interschool sports day. The bane of my existence.
Not only am I forced to watch a bunch of kids dribble a ball that’s nearly as big as them around a court while their trainers squeak against the polished wood, but I also have the distinct pleasure of being accompanied by a group of fellow teachers from Richmond.
Thank God I’ve got Josie here with me, because one of them also happens to be red-flag Roger.
Speaking of Satan incarnate—
“Anna, fancy a coffee?” He materializes beside me holding two paper takeaway cups. “I just helped set up the lunch table for the kids and poured one for you just in case.”
“I’ve already had coffee, thanks,” I say, my tone clipped.
He’s probably spiked the damn thing.
I brush him off as I scan the gymnasium, focusing on the lunch table, where kids have started to congregate for their mid-morning snack break.
Finn and Yuki jump up from the sideline bench and make a beeline for the cupcakes.
I focus on the game, keeping my eyes on Richmond as the ball fires from one end of the court to the other.
“Come on, I got it just for you,” Roger insists, bumping my elbow with his.
I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I have a whole network of incredible people who support me—I don’t need to be afraid of Roger. I won’t let this tosspot and his rancid poo-breath ruin my day.
I turn to fix him with a serious look. “You have a real hard time hearing the word ‘no’, don’t you, Roger?”
His mouth flops open, then closes. “I’m trying to make it up to you—”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have cornered me in the staff room to begin with,” I hiss between clenched teeth.
“That’s not—” he stutters, “it wasn’t like that. I was just trying to show you how I felt.”
“No? So when you grabbed my hair and tried to force a kiss on me, that wasn’t at all what it seemed?”
He lowers his voice. “Can we just talk about this properly?” He glances around nervously. “The kids are starting to take their breaks anyway.”
I catch Josie’s eye from across the court.
She’s clearly watching our interaction. I give her a subtle nod to let her know I’m okay before shifting my gaze to the refreshment table, where Finn is unwrapping a giant chocolate cupcake with brown frosting and taking a ginormous bite.
Yuki dissolves into laughter and I smile.
“Look, I should probably go and supervise the kids while they eat—”
“They’re fine, Anna,” Roger interrupts, stepping closer. “Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I’d really like to make it up to you.”
I lurch back. “Are you actually serious?” I glare at him in disbelief. “You think the appropriate response to sexually harassing a colleague is to ask her—”
“It wasn’t harassment,” he spits.
A piercing scream cuts through the gymnasium noise. I whip my head toward the sound and see Yuki standing by the refreshment table with her face twisted in panic.
Alarm bells start to go off in my head, and I take a step forward—
“They’re just being dramatic,” Roger says. “You know how kids are. They’re just having fun. Now, about that . . .”
But I’m no longer listening. Finn’s back is to me and Yuki’s shaking his shoulders. Something isn’t right.
“Help!” she wails. “Someone help!”
I don’t even think, I just book it toward Finn.
“Yuki! What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I rush as I reach them. My focus falls to Finn’s allergen bracelet, then the small red cupcake wrapper on the floor before darting to the table.
There aren’t any allergen signs.
“He can’t breathe!” Yuki sobs, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. “He ate the cupcake then he started coughing and something’s wrong!”
Shit. Anaphylaxis.
Finn’s face is bright red and deepening in color by the second.
No, no, no, no, no.
“Mi-Miss A-Anna,” he wheezes.
“Someone call an ambulance!” I call over my shoulder.
He bends forward, one hand clawing at his throat while the other pounds desperately against his chest. His coughing morphs into thick rattled wheezing sounds and angry hives are already blooming across his neck and hands.
Heavy footsteps approach. “Anna, what’s—” Josie’s voice cuts off when she sees the state Finn’s in.
“I need my first-aid kit!” I shout, unable to tear my eyes away from Finn. My pulse jackhammers so hard I start to feel dizzy, but I shake my head to clear it. “It’s under the scoreboard with our bags. Blue canvas bag with the white cross. NOW! He’s going into shock!”
“On it!” Josie pivots and sprints away.
I’m aware of how crucial every second is. The EpiPen will buy us time, but it’s not necessarily a cure. He needs proper medical care, and he needs it now.
Finn’s hands start flapping, waving me off and gripping my shirt at the same time, as he desperately heaves for air.
“I’m going to lay you down, Finn, okay? Can you lie down for me?” I ask before looking over my shoulder. “HURRY! I need that EpiPen! Has someone called the ambulance?”
“Ambulance has been called!” another teacher says.
Finn doesn’t respond as I whip off my jumper, forming a makeshift pillow and easing him down till he’s horizontal. His dark eyes swim with terror as he gasps for air. He tries to open his mouth but nothing comes out.
“It’s okay, Finn. It’s okay.” I rub his arms, my lip wobbling.
His pupils dilate and the tips of his ears turn a furious crimson as he silently begs for help. All I hear are Yuki’s sobs and Finn’s desperate attempts to suck in air.
I drop to my knees, gripping Finn’s biceps. “Honey, I’m here, I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to be fine, okay? You’re going to be fine. We’re going to fix this.”
Tears prick my eyes while, around us, a crowd is gathering. Voices turn into a crescendo of concern and confusion.
“BACK UP!” I call out. “Give us some space!”
Roger stands on the sidelines, doing fucking nothing.
“GOT IT!” Josie’s voice carries across the gymnasium as she races back, clutching my first aid kit.
You can do this, Anna. Remember your first aid training.
The moment she sets it down in front of me, I unclip the latches with shaky hands, flip the lid open and start to dig. My fingers find the fabric case and I unzip it, pulling out the orange auto-injector.
I try to calm myself and allow my muscle memory to take over. Finn squeezes his throat as tears swim in his eyes, and my heart fractures.
“This will pinch for just a second, okay, sweetheart?” I say, yanking off the safety cap and pressing the EpiPen against his thigh.
I look him in the eye as I ready him. “One, two—” I quickly depress the pen, holding it firmly against his thigh as I count to ten in my head until all the liquid leaves the syringe.
“No, Finn, no,” Yuki wails helplessly behind me.
“Come with me, sweetheart,” I hear Josie say to Yuki, taking her hand and leading her away from the scene. She doesn’t need to see this, the poor thing.
I begin rubbing the spot I injected into, soothing him. My hands are clammy but I don’t stop. “It’s going to be all right. You’re okay,” I repeat like a mantra, over and over.
“Where’s that ambulance?” I call out.
“Almost here,” the teacher replies.
The effect isn’t immediate but, with agonizing slowness, Finn’s breathing begins to ease.
“You’re doing so well, Finn, you’re so brave,” I say, my voice cracking. “The ambulance is on its way.” I smooth his sweat-dampened hair off his forehead. “That’s it, honey, just keep breathing.”
I keep one hand on Finn’s pulse point while my other fishes my phone from my pocket. I need to call Liam. “Just stay with me, sweetheart,” I whisper, pulling up Liam’s contact as sirens sound in the distance. “Just a little longer.”
Finn’s fragile chest rises and falls until he starts to take in oxygen properly for the first time in what feels like hours. Then his little head lolls and his focus wavers, the light fading from his eyes.
He passes out.