‘Let me see.’ Sarah fought off Fran’s protests and lifted Fran’s top. ‘What the hell?’ The whole of Fran’s torso was covered in varying shades of green, blue, brown, and yellow. ‘This is awful. What did you do to yourself?’
‘It was a stupid mistake,’ said Fran, eyes on the ground. ‘I’d spilled some oil on the floor at home. I was rushing, not paying attention. I fell and caught my side on the corner of a cupboard door.’
‘You’ve seen a doctor?’
Fran shook her head. ‘There’s no need to bother a doctor about it. It’s only a bruise.’
‘Fran, it looks to me like you might have broken a few ribs. When did this happen?’
‘A few days ago.’
‘And you’ve been working through the pain ever since?’
Fran nodded her head. ‘It’s nothing a few ibuprofen can’t fix.’
‘I think you should go to minor injuries.’
‘There’s nothing they can do, even if I’ve broken my ribs. They’ll just tell me to rest and there’s too much to do here.’
‘I can cover for you. You need to take a few days off.’
‘Please, just mind your own business. I don’t need you mothering me, or poking your nose in. I just want to be left in peace to get on with my work.’ Fran’s voice rose with each word. Sarah took a step back, trying not to take Fran’s words to heart. The woman was in pain. It was pride making her push Sarah away.
‘Ladies,’ said Hattie, strolling into the kitchen. ‘I wonder if I could borrow you for an hour after work?’
Sarah looked at Fran. ‘I think Fran could do with an early finish.’
‘Is everything OK?’ asked Hattie.
‘She’s injured.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Fran, can you come with me for a minute, please?’
Unlike her response to Sarah’s offer of help, Fran responded to Hattie with meek acceptance, removing her apron and following Hattie out of the kitchen. Sarah bent down and began clearing the muffins from the floor.
An hour later, Fran still hadn’t reappeared. Sarah took the fresh batch of muffins out of the oven, admiring her handiwork as she laid them out on a cooling rack. She was washing the mixing bowl when Fran and Hattie reappeared.
Sarah studied Fran. Her face was puffy and blotchy, her eyes red-rimmed. What was going on?
‘Sarah, can you hold the fort for the rest of the afternoon? Fran’s going to head to my place and rest for a couple of hours.’ Turning to Fran, Hattie handed her a set of keys. ‘Are you sure you’re up for coming later?’
Fran nodded. ‘I want to be there.’
‘If you’re sure.’ Turning back to Sarah, Hattie plastered a smile on her face. ‘We’ve got a staff meeting after work.’
‘Oh,’ said Sarah, wondering what had prompted the sudden bout of staff management.
‘We’ll meet in the pub at six.’
‘The pub?’
‘Yes. I’ll drive you all over there once we’ve closed up.’
‘But why the pub? Wouldn’t it would be easier just to meet here?’
‘I thought I’d treat you all to a drink while we talk. We’ll have had enough of coffee by then.’
