“Jasim needs to see this.”
“He really doesn’t.”
“I have to officially report it as an accident. Health and safety rules. There’s no choice about that. Come up to the house with me. I want Jasim to see.”
“No, boss. I—”
“That wasn’t a request, it was an order.”
“Then please don’t let anyone else know. If there’s no one by the pool, I could wait there and you could ask him to come out.”
“Fine. We’re going now.”
Ru didn’t want to make things difficult between Jasim and his brother and his nephews, though the older one was aneejit. He thought he’d only bruised his ribs. It had happened before. All he needed was some ice and to rest.
He and Paolo split up near the house. Paolo carried on and Ru headed for the pool. He couldn’t hear sounds of splashing so he hoped it was empty. As he rounded the corner, he didn’t see anyone. But a sudden splash made him jump, then wince. He waited, not wanting to intrude, but didn’t hear any sounds. He wasn’t sure what made him move forward but when he saw the little figure in the water, instinct took over and he ran.
Ru shouted for help as he took a deep breath and flung himself into the pool. He dived down and scooped up a little girl who was not moving. He yelled for help again as he surfaced, struggling to get her to the side. His chest was killing him, but he managed to get her out and somehow found the strength to pull himself out. He turned her on her side and water came out of her mouth, but she wasn’t breathing. Ru shouted out again, put her on her back and started to do CPR. Where was everyone?
He’d never done CPR on a person before, but he’d read how to do it in a book. He covered the girl’s mouth with his own, pinched her nose, tilted her head back and did two breaths into her mouth, watching her chest rise. He yelled for help again as he started chest compressions. Thirty, fast and hard with no stopping but the chest had to rise every time. He wasn’t sure how hard to press, especially on such a small chest. He just had to guess, but he kept going, shouting continually for help.Breathe, breathe. Oh God.If she died, Jasim’s brother would never forgive him. Ru yelled for help as he did the chest compressions.
The second time he breathed into her lungs, he heard someone coming, then she coughed into his face and he groaned in relief. Paolo and Jasim ran up.
“Recovery position,” Ru gasped and Jasim moved her onto her side.
More people arrived then and Ru scuttled out of the way. A screaming woman, the boy who’d hit him… Ru managed to get to his feet and left while they were still fussing over the girl. He hoped she’d be okay, but there was nothing else he could do.
Another set of wet clothes, though these had needed washing anyway. Ru sagged as he made his way back to his room. His boots were sodden, and he had to do something about those before he lay down. He really wanted to lie down. Bela landed on his head, cawing furiously.
“It’s okay, Bela. I’m grand.” Ru held out his arm and she jumped down onto it.
“What the fuck?” Mike stepped in front of him.
“Piss off,” Ru muttered.
“What happened? Leave him alone, Mike.” Poppy hurried over.
“You can’t take that bird in there!” Mike shouted.
“Bela, fly!”
The crow took off. Ru really wished she’d poop on Mike’s head, but then again the dickhead would probably throw something at her.
“I dried your clothes,” Poppy said. “Just as well.”
“Thanks, Poppy.”
“You look terrible. Just your face or…?”
Ru chuckled and winced. He lifted his shirt and showed her his ribs.
“Oh my word. Take your stuff off, give me your boots and I’ll see to them. Okay?”
“Thank you.” Ru almost cried.
“Leave the door unlocked and when I knock tell me if I can come in to get them.”
Ru pulled his keys out of his pocket and once he was in his room, he let the tears fall.I am such a wimp.He took off everything, pulled on dry underwear and put all his wet stuff by the door.
