She winces as I clean her punctured skin. ‘Thank you,’ she says finally, as I tape up the bandage to protect the cut from dirt.
‘I’m sorry about your cat situation,’ I say, even though I’m not sure she’s the wronged party. Perhaps neither of them are. I should apologise to the cat.
‘Leonard deserves the world and we’ve not been very good parents to him,’ Car Woman sobs. ‘I didn’t mean to cause a scene. But I saw her cycling, and I had to talk to her – she’s blocked me everywhere. How are we supposed to co-parent under those conditions?’
I nod sagely, as though I have any understanding of the complexities of long-term relationships. ‘It sounds like she’s quite upset over you and her ex too?’ I accidentally say as I’m zipping up the first aid kit. Sometimes, words just fall out of my mouth before I can think them through, especially if I’m distracted.
She doesn’t seem to take it too badly. ‘If we all avoided everyone’s exes, lesbians would die out everywhere. We’d all have to become nuns. Though they probably were lesbians too.’ She pauses and looks at me. ‘Maybe I should become a nun?’
I’m not sure if she’s truly asking for my advice but I think, as a straight girl, this is outside my remit. Maybe being a nun is a normal thing lesbians do. It’s not like I know many lesbians. I mean, I probablydobut it’s not like I go around asking, especially not at work where it would be inappropriate. Though, one of the weekend girls has a flag badge that Ithinkis a gayone. Not that I’m very good at country flags either. For all I know, it could be Croatia.
And my main non-work friends are girls I met in first term at university, all now married to men they were dating then. If I’m honest, four weddings in a row might have had a teensy influence on me applying toWedded Bliss. My sisters date men too.
I try to be a good ally. I’ll always sign a petition, and I donate regularly to the Switchboard hotline. I’ve never been to Pride, but I’ve been invited once by Ollie who works in the farm café, so that’s quite good, I think.
‘I know you didn’t technically crash, but I’m just going to do a quick neurological exam just to be safe.’
‘Is this because I jackknifed my car and talked about being a nun?’
I can’t help but laugh. ‘No, no. Just being safe. Follow my finger with your eyes,’ I tell her. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Miri,’ she says. ‘And that’s Sara.’
‘Okay, Miri, I’m Carys.’
‘Not Cherry?’
‘I think she misheard.’ I glance back at where Dolly awkwardly pats Sara on the shoulder as she bawls. ‘Did you break up recently?’
Miri releases a fresh barrage of tears that splatter all over her crop top. ‘A month ago. And it was amicable. Well… I thought so. Sara thinks I don’t want to settle down.’
I position her along the road’s centre line. ‘Walk along this towards me.’ Miri complies and thankfully walks evenly. Neuro exam clear. Just an obvious case of heartbreak, and battered finger.
‘And I know sleeping with Lily was stupid. I only want to be with Sara and Leonard. I’m just… frightened.’ She shakes her head and her ponytail flicks like an angry cat’s tail. ‘I guess that’s why… I did all this. It’s not just the cat.’
I’m not sure how to politely suggest not resuming the screaming. ‘You stopped traffic to talk to her. So, go talk to her. Be honest and tell her what you told me.’
She sniffs, and the tip of her nose wiggles. ‘Do you think she’ll want me back?’
‘You won’t know until you ask.’
‘Okay.’ Miri shakes out her shoulders. ‘Will you come with me?’
We reconvene between car and bike. Despite the traffic jam, Miri and Sara need privacy, I think.
I return the first aid kit to the helpful man’s car, and Dolly follows me. ‘Do you think they’ll be okay?’ I ask, as the boot closes slowly.
‘I’ve seen worse.’
‘Worse than causing a major traffic incident?’
She tilts her head. ‘It’s really more a minor incident.’
It’s such a funny thing to say. Perhaps she’s some kind of couples counsellor, or hostage negotiator.
‘Queer girls can be vicious,’ Dolly laughs, and I’m not sure if I’m allowed to laugh in agreement, even if I don’t know if I do agree.
‘Oh,’ I say uselessly. ‘This is all new to me.’
