Page 138 of Time To Learn

The alarm on her face makes the blood in my veins turncold.

“What is it?” I whisper as she stops in front of me, putting her hands on my shoulders.

“Kristian’s boss, Alex, just phoned me, honey,” she huffs. “Now, I don’t want you to panic, but Kristian has been in an accident, and he’s in hospital.”

I gasp and wrap my arms around my middle, trying to keep the overwhelming tightness in my chest atbay.

“No,” I whisper as I feel debilitating fear rising up in my throat.

Mum’s hands tighten on my shoulders.

“Don’t, Laura. Breathe.”

“Mummy…” Ailith’s scared voice gives me the strength I need to push the panic away, and I gulp, taking deep breaths.

“What happened?” I ask her and take Ailith’s hand in mine. I need to feel her skin against mine, or I’ll break apart.

Mum grimaces.

“According to Alex, Kristian was leaving the shop to get them something to drink and didn’t see a speeding car as he crossed the street. Alex did, though, and managed to run to him just as the car was about to hit him straight on. He grabbed his T-shirt and pulled him back, but Kristian fell flat on his back and hit his head on the asphalt. He lost consciousness for a spell.”

I push a hand to my mouth as anguish washes overme.

“Oh, God.”

Trembles course through me as I picture Kristian lying on the ground, helpless.

“Gan-Gan, will he be okay?” Ailith pipes up next tome.

I stare hard at Mum, and when she hesitates, I bite down hard on my lip. I try to read her eyes, to see the kind of assurance I so long to see. Worry, and uncertainty, however, are all that meet me, and my mouth turns completely dry. She turns her head to Ailith besideme.

“Yes, lass, he will befine.”

How I wish I could believe her, but with the uncertainty in her voice, all I can think about is that I need to go to him—I need to seehim.

“Come. I’ll drive us to Glasgow.” Mum takes my hand, and flanked by her and my daughter, I force my legs to start moving in the direction of my Beetle.

“Mummy?”

I squeeze Ailith’s hand, letting her know that I can hear her, but I’m afraid that if I start talking now, I’ll burst into tears. As I open the door to the backseat and help her get inside, she tugs on my hand. I raise my eyes from the ground and swallow hard, keeping the tears atbay.

“You heard what Gan-Gan said. He’ll be okay, Mummy,” she whispers.

It’s impossible for me to smile, but I nod once before clearing my throat.

“Buckle up, sweetie,” I whisper and hurry to shut the door before I round the car to get in besideMum.

“He will be fine,” she mutters grimly as she turns the ignition.

I grind my teeth, still forcing my lips to remain tightlyshut.

I pray to every God that exists and hope she’s right, but until I’ve seen him, I know I won’t fully believe her words.

The drive to the city has never felt as endless as it does now. As Mum takes us closer to the hospital, I try to stop myself from thinking the worst. The pessimist in me is hard to tampdown.

Still I pray, because there is a bigger part of me—the one that refuses to believe my newfound happiness has ended so soon—that will not acceptit.

I refuse to believe that tragedy has struck down on me again.

I can’t lose him now that I’ve finally foundhim.