BAILEY
I’m about halfwayto the harbour when the breeze suddenly picks up, and a rhythmic, low whooshing fills the air. I stop running and look up just as a red and white helicopter flies over my head, low enough that I can make out ‘HM COASTGUARD’ written on the side. I stare as it heads for the harbour, and a lump forms in my throat. “Teddy?” I whisper, heart thumping in my chest. I’m frozen to the spot watching as the helicopter goes out to sea, and I justknowit’s him.
“TEDDY!” I yell, running again, as fast as I can to the harbour.
The sky has darkened considerably. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and it's hard to see through the driving rain. I get to the harbour soaked through, and every intake of breath feels like glass in my throat. There are people everywhere. A boat is tethered, and a Coastguard van with bright yellow letters saying ‘SEARCH AND RESCUE’ is parked up. My legs go weakas I search the crowd of people for Teddy, but I can’t see him anywhere.
“What the hell is happening out there?” a deep voice growls ahead of me. “Tell Chris to give a straight fucking answer! Why’s he not saying whether he’s conscious or not?” The crowd parts and I see Robbie standing close to Teddy’s uncle Luke. He looks furious, baring his teeth, pointing at a radio Luke is holding, looking like he’s one second away from grabbing the man and shaking him. He turns to look at me when I run up to him. “Shit,” he mutters, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from everyone.
“W-where is Teddy?” I ask, unable to stop my lip wobbling. I already know it’s him. Something’s happened, and he’s out there where I can’t get to him.
“Their boat got caught in the storm. Theo was already diving when the order went out to return.” He drags his hands over his face, wiping off the rain.
“What happened?”
“They went to pull him up, but the line snapped. They had to wait to see if he would surface on his own. He had an emergency air supply on him, so he should have been safe.”
I turn away from him and start walking back to the jetty, for what, I don’t know. I want someone to tell me Teddy’s okay, or to take me on a fucking boat to get him myself because I would do anything right now to get to him.
“Hey, stop.” Robbie grabs my arm, pulling me back. “If the helicopter was needed, then—then they’ll take him to Broadford.” He continues walking me until we get to a car. “Wait here, I just need to check something with Luke.” He unlocks the car then walks towards Luke, throwing his hands in the air, pointing at him as they talk. I watch him until he comes back to me.
“Get in,” he growls.
I jump in the car and buckle myself in as Robbie speeds out of the harbour, beeping for people to move out of the way. He taps on his display, and the sound of a phone ringing fills the car.
“What’s up, Robbo?”Isla answers.
“There’s been an accident. You need to get to Broadford Hospital.”
“What? Who?”
“Theo. Pick up Noah on your way. I’ve got Bailey.”
“Alright, see you there,”Isla says, voice wobbling as she hangs up.
The drive to the hospital takes far too long. I feel like I’m vibrating out of my skin, thoughts racing. Not knowing what happened is making me think of the worst possible outcome. I want to see him. I want to touch him and for him to touch me back, so I know for sure he’s still here with me.
My leg starts to bounce erratically as the hospital finally comes into view. I jump out of the car before Robbie pulls up the handbrake and run to the reception.
“Theodore MacLeod,” I say to the receptionist, panting.
“One moment, please,” she says, while tapping slowly on her keyboard. I take a step back and rake my fingers through my hair.I can’t shout at her. I can’t shout at her.
“Mr MacLeod has been taken to the ICU. Are you family?”
I look around as Robbie comes up behind me, and plead silently for him to say something, because I don’t want to be told I’m not allowed to see Teddy. Robbie steps forward and points a finger at his chest. “Brother.” Then points to me. “Boyfriend.” Clearly he doesn’t want to be told no, either. The receptionist doesn’t question the lie as she gives us directions to the waiting room in the ICU.
Robbie takes a seat and rests his elbows on his knees, covering his face with his hands. It’s stressing me out more tosee him looking so upset, so I walk to the other side of the waiting room.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but when Teddy’s family comes through the door, I startle. Robbie sees Isla, and he’s off his seat in a second, rushing over to her.
“Hey, he’s okay. It’s not the same as last time,” she soothes, putting her hands on his cheeks so that he’s forced to look at her. They walk off down a corridor, and I look at Noah. He just shakes his head, neither of us knowing what Isla’s talking about.
“Lost his da at sea when he was fourteen,” Teddy’s dad says. “He came to live with us for a few years before he went off to university.”
He died at sea? So Teddy really could have …“Have you heard anything?” I ask.
John takes off his flat cap and scratches his head. “I spoke to the doctor before we came here; as far as I’m aware, he was hypothermic when he came in … and unconscious. They’ve told us that they’re running tests for decompression sickness and concussion, but so far, he just seems a bit banged up.”
