‘You’ll be pleased to know you can go home today, but I need you to keep your weight off that ankle for a couple of days, and you will need to make an appointment with your doctor to take those stitches out of your chin.’
‘I will,’ she replied.
The doctor propped a pair of crutches against the side of the bed. ‘For you.’
Bea watched as he scrawled something on the chart and turned to the nurse. ‘Bea is ready to be discharged.’
‘Is there anyone you’d like me to call to come and pick you up?’ the nurse asked.
‘It’s okay, I have my phone, but thank you.’
Pushing herself up in the bed, Bea phoned Julia. ‘Good news! I’m allowed home but I need a lift.’
‘That’s good timing, we were just talking about you.’
‘We?’
‘Myself and Nolan. Nolan was telling me your idea about setting up Heartcross Rescue. It’s going to take some doing.’
‘It is, but I think this really needs to be done.’
‘I think it’s a great idea. Last night was a wake-up call and things could have been a lot worse.’
‘Agreed. How about Monday night?’ Bea was taking control. She was passionate about this. Her heart had been in her mouth when Lucas had gone missing. Knowing there could be possible back-up help in future situations would give everyone a little more peace of mind.
‘Yes, Monday night would be great. I’ll share the details in the community WhatsApp group and the rest I’ll leave in your capable hands.’
Suddenly Bea felt nervous. She was a temporary newcomer to the village and here she was organising a meeting for the wider community.
‘And in other news, Nolan’s taxi has just left! He’s on his way to pick you up. Is there something going on between you both that I need to know about?’
Bea smiled as she twizzled the seahorse necklace up and down its chain. ‘We’re just very good friends,’ she replied. ‘Nolan will be sailing away on his travels after the River Festival.’
‘Mmm, if you say so,’ replied Julia. ‘I’ll see you when you get back.’
Bea hung up. Even though Julia had been teasing, Bea knew being out on the water, sailing from place to place, was what Nolan needed right now to heal. She understood that, because it was the very reason she’d come to Heartcross.
* * *
Within thirty minutes Nolan appeared in the doorway. ‘Are you ready to hop along?’
Bea was ready and waiting, sitting on the edge of the bed. ‘Born ready,’ she replied.
With a grin on his face, he helped her to her feet and passed her the crutches. ‘Here you go.’
‘These are so difficult to manoeuvre on.’ Bea attempted to walk forward on her good leg, with her swollen ankle bent behind her, but as she put the crutches forward, she wobbled and collapsed on to Nolan. Fortunately, he caught her.
‘I’ve been here less than five minutes and you’re falling for me already.’
‘You wish,’ she teased, standing up straight and attempting another go.
Once again, she wobbled and fell straight into Nolan’s arms. ‘This is a lot harder than it looks.’
‘Begin your step as though you’re going to use the injured foot, but instead bear all your weight on the crutch,’ Nolan advised.
With a few more attempts, Bea had the swing of things and was racing up the corridor towards the main entrance. ‘Come on, slow coach,’ she joked, leaving Nolan behind.
* * *
