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Lois clears her throat and begins.
The attraction sizzled, we rolled on the grass
Our lips were in a lock.
But more surprises were in store
When I felt that big, hard rock!
The edge was sharp, it cut my arm
But you were such a hero.
You bathed the wound and kissed it better,
Rory, you’re the gold at the end of my rainbow.
There’s a stunned silence. Then we all start clapping, even Rory, who’s smiling now.
Lois gives several modest bows to her audience, then she sits on the rail, her hands over her heart, smiling back at Rory.
‘So this is it!’ she announces. ‘I’ve been waiting for exactly the right moment. And that moment is now.’ She clears her throat again and I glance quickly at Rory. His relaxed smile has faded a little.
‘Rory Angel, I never thought I’d be doing this, but I’m buzzing at the thought of our future together. So, before I crap out altogether...’ She holds out her arms to him, wobbling a little on her perch. ‘Rory Angel. Your name is perfect. You came into my life when I was at my lowest ebb and you made me smile again. So will you please make me the happiest girl alive and agree to–aargh!’
It all happens in a split second.
A dark shadow swoops past me, close enough for me to feel the whisper of air on my face, as the bat flies on a direct course, heading for Lois.
She screeches and ducks, her hands moving up to protect her head, and as we watch in horror, she loses her balance, topples from the wooden rail and lands with a thud on the grass below.
CHAPTER SIX
It’s chaotic after that.
We all rush over to Lois, who’s lying sprawled on the grass. At first, she just stares up at us, obviously feeling winded after plummeting from the rail and my heart is beating fast, hoping she’s all right.What if she banged her head?
Rory bends to her, asking her if she’s okay. ‘Does it hurt anywhere?’
His question releases the floodgates.
‘Ow! My ankle! Ow, ow, owwww!’ She tries to sit up, and Rory takes one hand, while I clutch the other. ‘Careful, careful,’ she screeches. ‘It’s really sore.’
‘Can you stand on it?’ Rory asks, and we lift her gently to her feet, at which point she starts yelling in agony and telling us both in no uncertain terms that of course she can’t bloody stand on it and she definitely can’t walk on it because it’s obviously broken!
‘Right.’ Rory looks at me. ‘I’ll take her to A&E. Do you two want to come with us?’
I think quickly. I’d trust Rory with my life. He’ll look after Lois.
‘No, you go, Rory. We can get a taxi.’ I glance at Shaun and he nods.
‘Right.’ Rory turns to a panicking Lois. ‘I’m going to lift you up, okay?’ he says, calmly. ‘I’ll be as gentle as I can.’
She nods, looking pale as a ghost, and very carefully, he scoops her up.
‘Ouch, be careful,’ she yelps, her ankle hanging limply.
‘You’re safe with Rory,’ I tell her anxiously. ‘We’ll see you later.’
