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The woman groaned but rolled over and moved to get up.
“Hold on. I’ll come and help you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” the woman said.
“Christ, I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
“No. Please, it’s not your fault.” The woman was on her feet, and although she was leaning into Charlie’s arms, she looked intact. “I was walking along a main road. You didn’t hit me. I just jumped out of the way and lost my footing.”
Charlie stood her in front of the headlights and tried to check her over.
“Ah.” The woman winced. “I think I might have done something to my arm.”
“I’ll take you to the hospital.” Charlie guided her to the passenger seat. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know your name.”
“Stop apologising. It’s Elda.”
Charlie paused and looked at the woman’s face for the first time. “Hi, Elda. I’m Charlie.”
It took half an hour to get to the nearest hospital and Charlie made the journey on autopilot. Inside the emergency department, her stomach churned. She closed her eyes for a moment to block out the overhead lights and passing trolleys. On top of the emotional day she’d had, tonight had all been a bit much. She wanted nothing more than to be in her own bed. Instead, she turned to study Elda, the stranger next to her. She felt somehow grounded by her presence despite the terror that rose in her chest every time she thought about what could have happened out on the road.
There was a scratch above Elda’s cheek and mud in her hair but otherwise, she was beautiful. She scanned Elda’s petite body for signs of injury and saw grazes on her forehead and a rip in her coat. Charlie had a fleeting thought that if she’d seen Elda in a bar, she would’ve wasted no time in trying to hook up. She glanced away, embarrassed at the thought.
Elda massaged her head. “Listen, I really am wasting your time. I’m fine. Why don’t you just get off? It’s getting late.”
“Elda,” Charlie repeated the name in her head so she’d remember it, “I just ran you off the road. You’re not fine.” She rose to her feet, wanting something to happen. Lack of control wasn’t something she was used to. It made her twitchy.
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t see you.” Elda stared at the floor, deflated.
“Likewise.” Charlie’s pressed at her knuckles. “That road is awful. I’ve never liked it.”
“Why were you there?” Elda turned towards Charlie, her movement stiff.
“On the road?” Charlie closed her eyes for just a second, and the sharp bend blazed behind her eyelids. She forced them open. “I was coming back from my parents’ house. They retired on the east coast.”
Elda started to fidget, her face crumpling.
“Are you in pain?” Charlie stretched to see any signs of movement at the desk.
“It’s just my arm; I’m fine. At least I’ll be able to work.”
“What do you do?” Charlie’s own head pounded, but she was determined to keep Elda talking.
“I paint. I’m an artist. I mean, I’ve got an office job too.” Elda took a deep breath. “But at least I still have a good painting arm. I’m trying to get a piece accepted in an exhibition at the docks.”
“In the city? I know the docks. I work across the road.”
A nurse came around the corner. “Elda Brown?”
“Here.” Charlie stood to supervise Elda’s handover to the medical staff.Good. Something’s happening.
Elda eased into a wheelchair. Charlie kept watch, not sure what to do next. Before the curtain was drawn closed, Elda hunched her shoulders, and she let out a dry sob. Shock and shame pulsed through Charlie’s body. She tried to work out what had happened. It was a near miss, but she couldn’t shake the thought of Elda’s body looking so broken in the ditch.
This weekend had been a complete roller-coaster, and Charlie needed to get a grip. She thought back to the simple pleasure of Jude’s bed just a couple of days ago. Part of her wished she could turn back the clock and stick around for some uninterrupted physical exertion. She frowned, the thought of Kim and the children still nagging at her. Now, Elda had stumbled into her path, and Charlie had another crisis on her plate. Hunger jabbed her in the ribs. It was late, but she couldn’t leave Elda alone. There was something about her that kept Charlie right by her side.
Chapter Four
Elda needed to clear her head. The last week had been a series of disasters. She’d called in sick at the office to nurse her physical and emotional wounds. She laid back against her pillow and patted the space next to her in bed. Just a few nights ago, Rebecca had been dribbling on the sheets with half her clothes on, the stench of her breath making Elda’s stomach roll. She was glad to be rid of Rebecca but hated the idea of being alone again.
