‘How the hell are they going to get an ambulance up here?’
A few minutes later her question was answered asthe sound of a helicopter got louder and louder. Nora wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting on a rock with a foil blanket around her shoulders. It had probably been a while, given the state of the piece of Kendal Mint Cake in her hand that someone had said would be good for shock but had made her a little queasy. The air ambulance landed nearby and Trent was soon stretchered away. She felt awful– she hadn’t meant for him to climb up but because he had it seemed like her fault.
Jay came over to her. ‘Here you go,’ he said, handing over her climbing shoe.
‘I didn’t see you get it.’
‘I didn’t, one of the professionals went up for it. I belayed for them.’
‘Thanks,’ she said, taking the shoe. How had a single piece of footwear caused so much drama? Jay crouched in front of her, watching her closely. Was it the shock? Or was it the light on his face, highlighting his features and making him look every inch the leading man? ‘Why was Trent free climbing?’ she asked.
‘Hang on,’ he said. ‘I need to stand up because my thighs are burning.’ He made an O shape with his mouth as he straightened himself. He sat down next to Nora. ‘You know Trent. He was trying to be a hero.’
‘He didn’t deserve that though. He could be paralysed.’ The thought took her breath away.
‘Nah, he was moving his legs. Mainly when he was being told not to, but still. The first-aider said they think he’s badly bruised but he’s got off lightly. Anyway, let’sget you back to the minibus. It’s three-bean chilli for dinner,’ he said and they both pulled a face.
Back at the hostel everyone else seemed on some sort of weird high following the excitement of Trent’s accident and subsequent carting off in the air ambulance, which Nora found a little disturbing. She was sitting in the corner of the communal area and all the chatter around her, which she tuned in and out of, was about what had happened. Those who had witnessed it were keen to tell their version of events and those who missed it were desperate for information. Someone had made her a very strong, sweet coffee, which was utterly disgusting, but she worried it was bad form not to drink it so forced it down in little sips. She’d never sleep tonight. She’d be wired from the caffeine and more hyper than a toddler on Haribo thanks to all the sugar in it. But there was another, bigger reason why she’d likely not sleep. Nora kept reliving the climb and the scene of her kicking Trent off the cliff and him falling. The look of shock on his face as her Cookie Monster sock made contact with his cheek and the terror in his eyes as he fell would stay with her for a long time.
‘Hey, how are you doing?’ asked Jay, appearing in front of her. She had no idea how long she’d been staring into space.
She jiggled her head. ‘So so. Still a bit freaked out, if I’m honest. Don’t want to be a drama queen or anything.’
‘Oh,Iwould totally be a drama queen,’ said Jay,sitting on the arm of her chair and making it creak in protest. ‘It’s basically what I do for a living. Anyway, this is for you.’ He handed her his water bottle.
‘Thanks but I’m OK.’ She held up her half-drunk coffee.
Jay took the mug from her and swapped it for the water bottle. He leaned in and whispered, ‘The hair turban came good.’
‘Is that some sort of code? Because I have no idea what you mean.’
‘Renee had wrapped a tin of ready-made gin and tonic in the hair turban so I’ve decanted it into my water bottle. Drink it, it’ll do you good. Well, it probably won’t, but it might make you de-stress a little.’
‘Thanks.’ She undid the cap and took a swig. It was strong and she almost choked on it.
‘It said on the label it was double strength. Probably should have mentioned that.’
‘And you found it inside the hair turban?’
‘Exactly, it was all bundled up. I must say I did wonder why she’d made me bring that but I found it really useful. It stopped my wet hair dripping all over me while I was trying to dry myself. I would definitely use one again and would recommend it to others,’ he said.
Nora couldn’t help smiling. ‘You don’t think the hair turban was just a ploy to smuggle in a gin and tonic?’
For a moment Jay seemed perplexed. ‘Well,nowI do,’ he said.
22
Nora was hugely relieved when the climbing leader called them all together to tell them that Trent had incurred only minor injuries, which included extensive bruising, two broken ribs and a broken little finger, but they were keeping him in for observation overnight just to be on the safe side.
‘That’s good news,’ said Nora, unable to stop the huge sigh escaping.
‘Not for the nursing staff,’ said Jay.
‘Don’t be mean,’ said Nora. ‘Poor Trent. I know they called them minor injuries but he’s broken three things and has extensive bruising. None of that sounds like fun.’
‘He’ll be telling them all an elaborate story how he came to save you. They’ll all think he’s a hero and he’ll come out with enough phone numbers to fill a telephone directory. You mark my words,’ said Jay. ‘He’ll likely thank you for kicking him off the cliff.’
‘Oh don’t! I still feel awful.’ The familiar nausea bubbled in her gut.
