Page 69 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘It’ll be all right. They’ll get you fixed up in no time,’ Emma soothed.

Every now and then the elderly lady winced with the pain, but she was trying to be so brave.

‘The ambulance will soon be here. Are you warm enough? Can I get you anything else?’

‘I’m fine.’

They both smiled as she was so apparently not.

Em gave the old lady’s hand a warm squeeze.

‘Silly old bugger, that’s me. Lost my footing. Then I couldn’t get to the … ouch … bloody phone, could I.’

‘It’s okay, easily done. And I’m here. I’ll stay with you until the ambulance comes.’

Emma made a very quick call to the shop, asking Bev to close up for her and explaining the basics of the situation, not wanting to give too much detail and alarm Mrs C. She said she’d call Bev back with more news later.

‘Oh no, how awful for her. Goodness, send her my love.’ Bev was concerned.

‘Will do.’

‘And that’s fine. I’ll sort everything out here.’

It was about twenty minutes later when the ambulance arrived. The crew soon sorted out Mrs Clark, carefully placing her on to a stretcher and getting her some much-needed pain relief.

‘We’re going to take you down to the Cramlington Hospital,’ they advised. Then they addressed Emma, ‘Are you family?’

‘No, a friend.’

‘Right, well are you able to let any close family know?’

‘I don’t think there are any. But I’m happy to come along to the hospital myself. Would you like that, Mrs C?’

The old lady nodded, looking lost, vulnerable.

‘It’s the patient only in the ambulance, I’m afraid,’ one of the paramedics advised.

‘That’s no problem. I’ll follow in my car. You’re in good hands, Mrs C.’ Em gestured to the ambulance team. ‘I’ll see you very soon. Can I bring anything for you? A nightdress maybe, some toiletries?’ Em had a feeling they’d be keeping her in for a while.

‘Ye-es pet, whatever you think. Ooh …’ The pain was still getting to her, bless.

With that, they wheeled her out to the ambulance and they were soon setting off, with no blue lights but at a determined speed.

Emma got a small bag of essentials together including a nightdress and slippers. It seemed odd going through someone else’s belongings, but Mrs C would be glad of them for a hospital stay.

A small crowd of locals had gathered in front of the house having seen the arrival of the ambulance, asking Em for details on what had happened and wishing the old lady well. After she’d had a few friendly words with them, Emma dashed back to The Chocolate Shop to feed Alfie and then let him out for five minutes before putting him back and setting off in her car.

After a forty-minute journey, Emma reached the hospital, where she sat waiting on a plastic chair in A&E for some news. Looking around, it was as if she’d arrived in an alternative world, far removed from everyday life with its bright lights, squeaky grey lino floors, children crying, scents of disinfectant, milky tea from a machine in a polystyrene cup, and the dull tones of hushed talk from her fellows showing boredom, frustration, pain. Then there was suddenly a sense of drama as a more serious case was rushed through.

We all take our health for granted, Em mused, until boom, something goes wrong – a fall, the stealthy grip of an illness surfacing, an accident … Emma already knew that all too well.

Then finally some news came via a friendly nurse; Mrs Clark had been X-rayed and had fractured her hip in the fall. She was going to need surgery and a hip replacement. They were taking her down to theatre shortly and it would then be several hours until Emma or anyone else could see her. Em asked if there was any chance she could see her quickly now, pre-surgery. She imagined the old lady would be feeling vulnerable and just a word or two of comfort from a familiar face might help. The nurse agreed and led her through. Mrs C was in a cubicle but had already been moved on to a trolley, ready to go down for surgery. She still looked extremely pale.

‘How are you feeling now? Have they settled the pain for you?’ Emma asked kindly, taking her hand.

‘Yes, pet, they’ve all been very good.’

‘It’s your hip that’s broken, isn’t it?’