Page 73 of Pyg

A knock at the front door snatched Alice’s attention, and she sprung to her feet, flinching as pain seared through her knee. She looked down at Fran’s face, scrunched in confusion.

“Well, thanks for the chat, but I don’t feel any differently.”

Fran’s lips puckered.

“I have plans this evening. So, if you don’t mind.” Alice motioned to the door, but Fran didn’t move. Another knock, and Alice released an exasperated sigh. She limped along the hallway and opened the door. Her heart squeezed at the sight of Ash, brandishing two large pizza boxes and a bottle of wine.

The smile fell from Ash’s face as she took Alice in.So much for being a fully functional adult. It went from bad to worse.

“You better come in.” Alice hobbled aside, cradling her wrist. “I’ve had a bit of an afternoon.”

“What’s happened?” Ash asked as she stepped out of her trainers.

Alice grimaced and jutted her chin towards the lounge. “Fran,” she mouthed.

Ash’s eyes widened. “Has she hurt you?”

Alice sniffed a laugh. “No, not physically, anyway. I fell out of the bath and?—”

“Shit, Alice. I should check you over.”

Alice grinned. “Steady on, Doc. First things first.” She shuffled along the hallway with Ash in her wake.

Fran stood facing the window, her wine glass empty on the coffee table. Alice gestured for Ash to put the pizza boxes in the kitchen.

“I’m not leaving, Alice. Not until you see sense,” Fran said without turning around.

“Er, Fran. I have company. I told you, I have plans.”

Fran remained fixed in place at the window, as if turning into the room would force her to face reality. “Well, you better un-plan your evening. We’re sorting this out, once and for all.”

Alice looked over her shoulder. Ash stood awkwardly behind her.

“Fran, I really would like you to leave now, please.”

Fran spun around, red-rimmed eyes brimming with tears. She whipped her jacket from the dining chair and rushed past Alice. Then, coming to a halt in the hallway, she turned, nostrils flaring, and screamed,

“Why is it so difficult for you to understand, Alice? I love you, you stupid girl. This isn’t over.”

Alice’s mouth hung open as Fran stormed out, slamming the front door behind her. Alice cradled her wrist and collapsed onto the couch. Ash darted to her side.

“Bloody hell, Alice. Are you alright?”

Shock waves rippled through Alice, and her whole body trembled.

“May I take a look at your arm?”

Alice held out her arm and Ash carefully pulled up the sleeve of the pink robe, the frown lines deepening on her brow as she gently examined Alice’s wrist.

“Okay, I hate to tell you this, but I think you might’ve fractured it. We need to get you to A&E.”

“No, no, no…” Alice whined, as tears welled in her eyes.

“Come on, it’ll be alright. Is it okay if I have a look at that knee, too?”

Alice nodded and Ash knelt in front of her and swept the robe aside, revealing a large bruise blooming over Alice’s knee.

“Ouch! Alright.” Ash covered the knee and looked into Alice’s face with such tenderness that Alice burst into tears. “You’ve had a traumatic afternoon, but I’m here now and I’m going to take care of you, okay?” Ash reached up and touched Alice’s chin. “Stop chewing your lip. You’ll make it sore.”

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