Page 2 of Five Things I Love About You

‘Step back please.’

‘I just want to check she’s okay.’

Someone touches my arm, then another indistinct face appears above me, concern etched between well-sculpted eyebrows.

‘Try not to move,’ the woman says.

‘I—’ I start.

‘You came off your bike,’ she continues, and I stare at her hazily, trying to work out what she’s talking about.

Then I remember: the lights turning amber, the man stepping out, the slippery road, the last-minute decision not to take him out – it all comes tumbling back into my mind like a win on a two-pence arcade game.

‘The man—’ I manage through a throat that feels dry and scratchy.

She glances away briefly, then smiles.

‘He’s okay, you managed not to hit him.’

‘Is he here?’

Once again I try to lift my head but it’s made of lead and there’s a slow, steady throbbing across my temple so I give up and let my eyes flutter shut again.

A sharp slap to my cheek brings me round and I open my eyes. ‘Sorry,’ eyebrow lady says, ‘but you need to stay awake.’

She’s blurrier now than before, and I’m vaguely aware that there’s someone else there, and although I can’t see his face clearly I think it’s him, the Geordie who was speaking before.

‘I’m awake,’ I assure them.

‘An ambulance is coming.’

Ambulance? Surely I don’t need that? But I can’t seem to find the words to say so.

Time passes, I don’t know how much. There’s a hand in mine. I stare up at the sky again, a leaden grey.

‘Police are here.’

‘What?’ My voice cracks.

‘I’ll go and speak to them.’ The Geordie again. I hear footsteps fading, people talking.

‘Can you tell me what happened?’ I think someone says, but the sound of passing traffic drowns out any reply.

‘Not long now,’ eyebrow lady says from above me.

Geordie man’s voice drifts back into focus somewhere in the background.

‘Yes, of course. It’s J. A…’ But the rest fades again, and then a police officer appears beside me.

‘Are you okay?’ she asks. She looks very young, her forehead free from lines.

‘I’m fine,’ I say. I attempt to sit up but a firm hand pushes me back down.

‘Try to stay still until the paramedics arrive,’ she says.

I do as I’m told.

‘I’m sorry to do this.’ It’s the Geordie again, and the police officer stands to speak to him. ‘I’ve told your colleague what happened, do you mind if I go? Only I’m meant to be somewhere urgently and…’ he trails off.

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