Page 72 of Diamond in the Rough

“Your good shoulder. If you fall, I’ll catch you.”

“I don’t wanna do no trust exercise.”

“It’s not a trust exercise. Ready?”

Jake sighed. “As I’ll ever be…”

Zoe gently applied pressure on his shoulder, pulling him back bit by bit, until Jake stepped backwards to balance himself.

“Sorry.”

“No, that was exactly what I was hoping you’d do. Have you managed to get up and about more?”

“Flat ground is fine, but when I tried the stairs, it was almost too much. Any jarring movement and the pain flares in my arm and ribs, and then I feel dizzy.”

“It’ll get better. I’m gonna discharge you tomorrow.”

Jake closed his eyes. “Thank God for that.”

“Hope I’m not interrupting…”

Jake startled at the voice and glanced at Billy, who yanked open the curtain and stepped inside.

“I’m just carrying out a few tests,” Zoe said in a rush. “Now’s not the time.”

Billy ignored her and kept his gaze fixed on Jake. “Antonia got you some flowers. She’s feeling pretty cut up about everything…”

He held out the bunch, but Jake made no move to take it.

“We don’t allow flowers on the ward,” Zoe said.

“Oh?” Billy shoved them to her chest. “You better get rid of them, then.”

“I’m sure you can do that on your way out.”

“Doctor Zoe!” came a distant shout.

Billy widened his eyes. “That’s you, right? Looks like you’re needed.”

Zoe looked at Jake. “I’ll be back later.”

He nodded, and she rushed down the ward, clutching the bunch of flowers.

“She hates me, but I can’t think why…”

Jake shrugged. “No idea…”

Billy sat down on the bedside chair and got comfortable. He lifted his legs up and rested them on the mattress. “Don’t mind, do you?”

“Make yourself at home.”

Billy grinned. “Trust me, you wouldn’t want me to do that. How’s that memory of yours?”

“Bits and pieces.”

“You remember the car?”

“I remember being in the road and the car coming towards me, but I don’t know why I was there.”

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