Ginny tried to touch her head, but the medic lowered her hand.
‘Let’s get you cleaned up,’ said the paramedic.
‘Can I go home?’ asked Ginny.
‘She lives right there,’ said Lottie, pointing at their houses. ‘I can look after her.’
‘Me too,’ said Samuel, holding Lottie’s shoulder.
Will started coughing his guts up again, gaining attention from another paramedic.
‘I need to look after Will,’ said Ginny.
‘I’m fine,’ he called, being checked over. ‘Just a cold gone to my chest.’
He was told he’d need to see the doctor for some antibiotics, and when he said he hadn’t signed up with a local surgery yet, Samuel got on the phone immediately and arranged for a private doctor to come to his house within the hour.
‘Well, that’s one sorted,’ said Lottie. ‘Can we take Ginny home now, please? I want her snuggled on the sofa in her PJs for the day.’
Ginny climbed out of the ambulance as soon as her head was patched. ‘Honestly, I’m okay. Just shaken, that’s all. Lottie’s right, I need a bit of peace and to settle down for the day.’ She turned to Lottie. ‘Have you seen Lucky?’
Lottie gestured towards Ginny’s house. ‘Yes, she’s inside, where you should be. Come on.’
Will watched Ginny head towards her house with Lottie and Samuel. Shaun was informing the police about the accident, and half of Port Berry was racing up Berry Hill to find out what the pandemonium was about.
He flopped to the kerb, cupping his aching head. He could do with his PJs and a snuggle on the sofa as well.
Jed sat to his side. ‘You okay, son? You’re the talk of the village already.’
Will wasn’t sure how he felt. It was all such a whirl. How he had just climbed down a cliff without protection was beyond him. ‘I know I was stupid—’
‘You weren’t stupid. You were brave. And you saved our Ginny.’
He met Jed’s serious eyes. ‘I just couldn’t wait.’
‘It’s okay. It’s over now. Don’t you let any what-ifs take over. You saw danger, and you did what you’ve been trained to do. Mission complete. Now, what you sitting here for? Go see the woman.’
Will looked over at the crowd dispersing. ‘I think the police want to talk to me.’
‘Come on. I’ll go with you.’
Shaun approached as they met the police. ‘I’ve explained what happened. Just let them know what you saw.’
Will turned to the waiting officer. ‘She tried to save her cat but slipped.’ He pointed back at Lottie’s. ‘That’s what I saw from the window.’ He started coughing again, and Jed took over with the chatter.
It took a while for the emergency services to clear out, and Shaun told his workers to call it a day.
Samuel came over just as Will was about to head off too. ‘Hey, no you don’t. The doctor is on his way. I told him to cometo Ginny’s. Come on, let’s get a hot drink inside you, if nothing else.’
Will was too tired to argue, plus Jed had already gripped his arm, leading the way.
Inside Ginny’s living room was Sophie and Alice snuggled on the sofa with Ginny. Spencer was on his knees lighting the fire, and Robson, Matt, and Lottie were in the kitchen, making tea.
‘Everyone’s gone home,’ said Jed, entering the warmth.
Ginny shot upright. ‘Where’s Will?’
He raised a hand her way. ‘I’m here.’ He glanced at Samuel, who walked in behind him. ‘Waiting for a doctor, apparently.’ He went to say something else, but Ginny flung herself at him, wrapping her arms and legs around his weary body.
