by Sarah Hope
‘Here we go.’ Bea pointed to two bouncers ambling over to the ever-increasing crowd surrounding the ongoing argument.
Turning, Molly watched as the bouncers forced their way through the throng of people, re-emerging, each holding one of the boys by their elbows. Walking them across the dancefloor one of them twisted and broke free from his captor. Running from the bouncer, he jumped in front of the boy he’d squared up to earlier who immediately wrestled free from the bouncer who had been holding him.
Molly wasn’t sure who pulled the first punch, but in a matter of moments one boy had the other in a headlock whilst the two bouncers flexed their muscles before jumping into the middle, each grabbing one troublemaker and tearing them apart. Dancers who had given up to stare inched their way closer to Molly and Bea, pushing them against the railings surrounding the DJ booth in an attempt to get out of the way of the unfolding fight.
‘Come here.’ Pulling Molly out of the throng, Bea led the way around the other side of the dance floor into an empty booth by the door. ‘That’s better, I thought we were going to get crushed back there!’
Nodding, Molly gingerly placed her elbows on the wet sticky surface of the table. She would definitely need a shower as soon as she walked back into the flat. Her hair stunk of cigarettes after being caught in a cloud of smoke on the way in and her skin felt as though it was crawling with germs. Shaking her head, she grinned. It had turned into a good night though. She’d forgotten how fun Bea was and even without having a sip of alcohol, Bea’s happy tipsiness was infectious.
As a sharp scream cut through the general excited hubbub, Molly jerked her head around, ducking too late as a piece of glass flew through the air striking her square on the side of her forehead. ‘What on earth?’
‘Molly! Are you okay?’
Blinking, Molly stared onto the dance floor as two people dropped to their knees, one grabbing their hand and the other gripping their thigh. Bringing her hand up to her forehead, she winced as a sharp pain seared through down her face. What had happened? She hadn’t seen anything. She’d only glanced away from Bea, for a split second. What could have happened in that short space of time? ‘What happened?’
‘Molly, look at you. You’re bleeding. Come here.’ Leaning forward, Bea cupped Molly’s chin, bringing her face closer to hers.
Looking down at her fingers, Molly rubbed them together, smearing the red blood between her thumb and forefinger. Bea was right, she was bleeding. As Molly stood up, Bea pulled her back down out of the way as the bouncers finally escorted the two boys out.
‘Come on, let’s get you outside.’ Standing up, Bea held Molly’s hand and followed the bouncers down the stairs and outside.
As she followed Bea through the doorway leading to the foyer, a group of lads ran past elbowing people out of the way. Stumbling as a girl was pushed into her, Molly steadied herself just as another boy ran past knocking her to the ground, the back of her head jarring on the doorframe as she fell.
‘Molly?’ Leaning down, Bea pulled her to standing. ‘You okay? Was that thump your head?’
Standing up, Molly rubbed the back of her head and nodded before following Bea down the stairs and out onto the street.
Leaning against the wall of the club, Molly closed her eyes against the cold breeze, the pain increasing as she scrunched her eyes shut.
‘You okay, miss?’
Opening her eyes, Molly blinked at the woman standing in front of her. She was wearing the same black shirt as the other bouncers. She must work there.
‘Yes, I’m fine.’
‘You can see she’s clearly not okay. She got hit by a piece of the glass from the bottle and then some idiot pushed his way through the crowds and she hit her head on the doorframe.’ Stepping towards the bouncer, Bea pointed back at Molly.
‘I can see. If you hold on we have an ambulance on the way and the police will be here in a moment too.’
‘No, it’s okay. I just want to get home.’ Pushing herself away from the wall, Molly swayed as the world spun around her.
‘I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist you wait. You’re a witness, and the police will want to speak to you. Plus, you really should get that gash seen by a paramedic.’
Nodding, Molly slumped back against the wall, closing her eyes on the bright blue lights as a siren jarred her bones.
‘Hey, Molly don’t you go to sleep on me will you?’
Opening her eyes, Molly looked at Bea as she leant into her. ‘I’m hardly going to fall asleep standing up, am I? It’s only a scratch, don’t worry.’
‘Umm, I’ll worry less when one of the paramedics have seen you.’ Turning around, Bea watched as a police van pulled up and two police officers immediately jumped out and ran towards where the bouncers were still holding onto the boys who had started the fight.
The noise of the protests from the boys and their mates as they were handcuffed and bundled into the police van and the hubbub from the onlookers was too much. It only made her head feel worse. She needed to get away. She needed the pain to stop. Pushing away from the wall again, the coarse brickwork catching her nail, Molly began walking down the road.
‘Where are you going? You heard the bouncer, you need to get seen to.’ Chasing after her, Bea put her hand on Molly’s shoulder.
‘I’m fine. I just want to get home.’ Shaking her head, Molly focused on the floor in front of her, focused on putting one foot in front of the other. There had to be a taxi rank around here somewhere. They’d come in a taxi. It couldn’t be far.
‘Molly, no.’
‘Excuse me, miss. Are you the lady who got caught in the middle?’
Pausing and turning around, Molly looked as a woman dressed in the dark green of a paramedic’s uniform jogged after her.
‘Why don’t we get you to the ambulance and get you cleaned up?’
‘She fell and whacked the back of her head against the door as well.’ Bea interrupted.
Looking down, Molly could see the paramedic’s hand on her arm as she was guided back towards the waiting ambulance.
‘That’s it. My name’s Karen and I’m going to clean you up, okay?’
‘I really don’t need any help. I’ve said I’m fine. There were a couple of other people who got hurt though.’
‘Yes, that’s right, but they’re getting looked after now. Look.’ Karen pointed back towards the club.
Following Karen’s finger, Molly could see another ambulance had pulled up, with their doors already open and the two other people who had been hurt sat on the trolleys being dealt with.
‘That’s it. Come on, it will only take a few minutes of your time.’ Peering over Molly’s head, Karen questioned Bea. ‘Did she black out at all?’
‘No, I didn’t. It’s only a cut. Just a little cut, that’s all.’
‘Okay, Molly. That’s good then. We’ll still get you checked out though.’ Leading her towards one of the waiting ambulances, Karen stood at the bottom of the steps, indicating Molly to go inside.
‘Honestly, I’d really rather not get in there. I really am fine and don’t want to waste your time.’
‘You’re not wasting our time. We’ve been pretty quiet tonight, to be honest, and I’d feel a lot better if you let me check you over.’
Sighing, Molly sank to the step of the ambulance. ‘Okay, but I am fine.’
Nodding, Karen indicated to another paramedic who passed her a green bag. ‘That’s good to hear.’
‘Molly, let Karen do her job. It’s for the best.’ Leaning against the open door of the ambulance, Bea crossed her arms.
Nodding, Molly followed the small torch Karen shone in her eyes. She really did feel fine. I little light-headed, but that was hardly from a cut. It was more than likely because she was sat here with people’s cigarette smoke wafting up her nostrils.
‘That’s it. Now just hold this and I’ll be right back.’
Holding a pad of white gauze to her forehead, Molly leant against the side
of the ambulance.
‘Evening, can I just ask you a few questions, please?’
Opening her eyes, Molly saw a police officer standing in front of her, a notepad and pen in his hands. ‘I really didn’t see much. All I saw was the two boys, sorry, men squaring up to each other. The bouncers then got hold of them and pulled them apart. I guess they must have shaken them off and got into a fight.’
‘I see. And did you see which of the suspects threw the bottle?’
Molly shook her head. ‘No, sorry I didn’t. I was talking to Bea, here. It all just happened so fast. Sorry.’
‘I see.’ The police officer glanced at Bea. ‘I’ll talk to your friend in a moment, I just have one more question if that’s okay?’
‘Molly! Molly! What’s happened? Are you all right?’
Looking up, Molly blinked as she saw Richie weaving his way through the small crowd towards her. Typical. Of all the police officers there must have been around here, Richie was called. And why did they need any more? There were already a couple of police officers standing by the van with the boys in, plus the one speaking to her. It had only been a little argument. ‘I’m fine. It’s just a cut.’
‘Let me see.’ Coming in front of her, Richie gently pulled the gauze away before wincing and returning it, covering her hand with his as she held it on her forehead. ‘Its okay, Adam, I’ll take it from here.’
‘All right, boss.’ Grinning at Richie, Adam turned to Bea and indicated the path a metre or so away. ‘Can I ask you a few questions?’
‘You look very pale. Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Are you feeling dizzy or light-headed or anything?’ Richie took a step back as the paramedic returned carrying another bag in her hand. ‘Is she okay?’
‘She’s sustained quite a deep gash to her forehead, we believe from a piece of glass from a broken bottle. Of more concern is the fact that she also sustained a substantial knock to the back of the head. She’ll need to come with us to the hospital and have a couple of stitches and get checked out properly. Her vital signs are good, but she does appear a little confused.’
Molly shook her head. ‘I’m not confused, and I really don’t need to go to the hospital. I’m fine. I just want to get home.’ Standing up, she held her hand out, gripping Richie’s arm as the floor swayed beneath her. She really was fine. Just tired. She just needed to lay down for a few minutes. That was all.
‘Molly, listen to Karen. She knows what she’s talking about and you’re clearly not fine.’
‘I am. I really am. I just want to go home. There’s people who need help and ambulances and hospitals much more than me.’
‘That may be so, but I’d feel better if you got the stitches and got checked out properly.’ Placing his hand over hers, Richie guided her back to the step of the ambulance. ‘That’s it. Sit down again.’
Taking the gauze off of her forehead, Molly leant her chin in her hands. She wasn’t meaning to be difficult, she just didn’t want to waste their time.
‘I tell you what, I’ll pop your stitches in and then we’ll see how you feel. Just lift your head for me.’
Holding her head up, Molly held still as Karen cleaned and stitched up her wound.
‘How are you feeling now?’ Leaning back on her haunches, Karen stared at Molly.
‘I’m fine. Honestly. I just want to get home to my own bed.’
‘I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, but I can strongly advise that you come back to the hospital with us and get checked out.’
‘Thank you, but really I want to get home. Thank you for everything, though.’ Holding the side of the ambulance door, Molly stood up, allowing her eyes to focus on the dispersing crowd in front of her. Where was Bea?
‘I tell you what. Why don’t I take you up to the hospital? My shift is due to finish now, anyway.’ Placing his hands in his pockets, Richie looked towards his patrol car.
Shaking her head, Molly rolled her eyes. He wasn’t going to leave it, was he? Maybe if he gave her a lift back to hers he’d see she was fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital. ‘Okay.’
‘Come on then. Thanks, Karen.’ Holding his hand up in acknowledgement to the paramedic, he wrapped his arm around Molly’s waist and led her towards his car.
‘Hold on, what about Bea? Where’s Bea?’ Twisting around, she tried to locate Bea.
‘Bea’s here, I’ll drop her off at her hotel on the way.’ Holding open the passenger door, Richie waited until Molly had slipped inside before shutting it and getting in the driver’s side.
‘SEE I TOLD YOU I WAS fine.’ Leaning her head against the passenger window, Molly closed her eyes.
‘Umm, the nurse didn’t say you were fine. She said you were mildly concussed and not to let you sleep.’ Keeping his eyes on the road, Richie gently shook Molly’s arm.
‘Yep, she meant I was fine.’
‘Molly, please don’t close your eyes. Here, why don’t you find something to listen to?’ Deftly opening the glove box, Richie pointed to the CDs before pulling out of the hospital car park onto the main road. ‘You can stay at mine tonight. I’d offer to go to yours, but I’ve got Rocco to think about. Marissa’s at her mum’s tonight, anyway.’
Nodding, Molly picked through the pile of CDs. ‘You like The Levellers?’
‘Doesn’t everyone?’ Glancing across at her, he grinned.
‘Well, I do, but I wouldn’t have put you down for a Levellers type of guy.’
‘What kind of guy did you think I was then?’
Yawning, Molly closed her eyes and lowered the CDs to her lap.
‘Hey, Molly. Almost home.’
‘Yep...’
Richie tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. ‘I’m sorry things didn’t work out between us.’
‘I’m sorry too.’ Rubbing her eyes, she looked across at him. His chiselled jaw was sporting more than his usual couple of days’ worth of stubble. ‘Are you growing a beard?’
‘What? Oh, yes. Well, I thought I’d give it a go, much to Marissa’s disgust.’ Richie ran his fingers across his chin. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think you look very handsome.’
‘Umm, and now I know that you’re concussed! Shall we watch a film when we get in? I could make us a chip butty too. I didn’t have chance to catch a dinner break and you must be starving.’
Molly shrugged. ‘Okay.’
Chapter Twenty Seven
Yawning and opening her eyes, it took Molly a few minutes to work out where she was and why she wasn’t at home. Lifting her hand to her forehead, she winced at the sharp pain as her fingers touched the gauze. Blinking against the sun seeping through the curtains, Molly looked around the room. She must have fallen asleep on Richie’s sofa. She vaguely remembered him putting a film on but she had no idea what film it was, she must have fallen asleep almost instantly.
Pulling the blanket covering her down, Molly sat up and twisted her legs around, letting her toes sink into the plush cream carpet. How he got away with keeping it looking so clean with a dog around, she had no idea.
Standing up, she paused. She couldn’t hear anyone else. Maybe he was still asleep, or maybe he had gone to work. No, Rocco would be milling around if he’d gone to work. Looking around the room, she noticed a note protruding out from behind the clock on the mantelpiece. Picking it up, she checked it was for her. He’d taken Rocco out for his morning walk. He’d be back soon and get her some breakfast.
Placing the note back on the mantelpiece, she ran her fingers through her hair, wincing as the knots pulled her scalp. She must look awful. Even after a normal night out, she used to get a fright when looking in the mirror in the morning. And, even though she hadn’t been drinking, her throat still felt tight and her head heavy from the late night.
No, she needed to get home. All she wanted now was a shower. Taking the note again, she located a pen and wrote a quick reply thanking him and telling him she was heading back.
SCRUNCHING HER HAI
R dry with a towel, Molly took the stairs two at a time as the doorbell pierced through the silence again. She hadn’t thought to check what time Lauren and Ellis needed picking up from Bea’s parents’ house.
Letting the door up to the flat swing shut, she strode through the empty shop floor of Bramble Patch before pulling the front door open.
‘Richie?’ Taking a step back, she felt the gush of red flush through her cheeks. She had planned to text him and thank him again later. Maybe she should have done before she’d jumped in the shower.
‘Morning! I’ve brought you over some breakfast.’ Holding out two take away boxes from the local café, he looked her up and down. ‘I’ve got to say you look a lot brighter this morning.’
Lowering the towel from her hair, she straightened the collar of her top. ‘Thanks and thank you for everything last night. I’m sorry if I was a pain.’
Ducking his head, Richie smiled. ‘You were a bit, yes, but it’s absolutely fine. I think I’d be a bit of a pain too if I’d whacked my head the way you did.’
‘Sorry.’
‘Honestly, you were fine. I was just worried about you, that’s all. How are you feeling today?’
Molly shrugged. ‘Okay.’
‘Still painful?’
‘A little.’
Lifting the takeaway boxes a little higher, Richie tilted his head. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Sorry, yes, of course. Come through.’ Leading him into the back kitchen, Molly wrung the towel in her hands before hanging it over the back of a chair.
Placing the boxes on the table, Richie opened the lid. The warm sweet smell of scotch pancakes and syrup filled the kitchen. ‘I got us pancakes. I hope that’s okay? Mrs Hopkins makes the best scotch pancakes I’ve ever tasted.’
‘Ooh, lovely. They smell amazing.’ Holding her hair back, she leant over them, breathing in deeply.
‘They really are. I would have made you something, but there’s no way I can compete with Mrs Hopkins.’
‘Thank you. You didn’t have to though.’ Smiling at him, she held his gaze.
