But as our vehicle became airborne, and the world started to spin in a tumble drying wash of different colours. And my head connected surprisingly painfully with a side airbag, as the metal of the car groaned, and the loud pop and hiss of further airbags inflating sounded out all around us. I realised it shouldn't have just been for Ben that I prayed.
But also for us.
"They've found him," I heard Eric's strained voice say down the line, realising despite the car having made a complete three-sixty once already, I was still grasping my cellphone tightly to my ear.
I wanted to ask if Ben was OK. I wanted to understand the tone of panic I heard in Eric's voice. But all that came out was a scream, as Pierce threw himself over my body, wrapped his arms around my head and frame, and the world turned to utter chaos.
Loud.
Ear-splitting.
Chaos.
And then went completely dark.
Chapter 12
And All He'd Ever Get From Me
"Daisy, Daisy. Give me your answer, do."
Sirens. The creak and groan of bending metal. The scrape of gravel and the shattering of glass. The burning smell of rubber.
"I'm half crazy all for the love of you."
Loud shouts and the tick of a cooling engine. The thud of heavy boots and the feel of cool fingers against skin. Restriction. Too small a space. Tight.
Pain and a burst of light.
"It won't be a stylish marriage."
The shudder of machinery and the too close sound of a pneumatic type drill.
"I can't afford the carriage."
Movement. Voices. Hands everywhere. Sharp stabs of pain and a dull ache behind the eyes. The press of something hard and flat against the back. Suffocation. Can't reach the source at the neck.
"But you'll look sweet upon the seat."
More voices, flashes of light, cold air. Slamming doors. Movement.
"Stay with me, Marie. Hang in there."
Beeps, rushing noises, the squeak of a rubber soled shoe. Lights.
Darkness.
"Come on, Tiger. Come back!"
Darkness.
Darkness.
Darkness.
"Of a bicycle built for two."
Ryan's voice.
***
I woke with a start.
Daisy.
I blinked open my eyes, felt the too exuberant thud of my heart in my chest, and struggled for breath. It was only when the room coalesced around me, that my body's frantic reaction started to quieten. I was in bed, at Abi's. I'd expected to be at the hospital still. That's where the ambulance had taken me, I was sure. I remembered the crash. Pierce throwing himself over my body to protect me. The sounds of metal crumbling, gravel scraping, and glass shattering. The shouts from the emergency services as they secured the scene. The smells; petrol, burnt rubber, tarseal. Blood.
I know they had to cut us out of the vehicle. I shuddered at the recollection of the Fire Service using their 'jaws of life'. I know the paramedics put a neck brace on me and placed me on a hard backboard. I know there was electronic beeping at the hospital ward, but it was quieter than the crash site.
But I didn't know how I got here.
I looked around the room, noting the closed curtains which were lit behind by bright sunlight. And Genevieve from Sweet Seduction sitting in a chair.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise, which pulled at something on my cheek. Reaching up, I noticed my hand shook, but whatever I'd tugged at was under gauze bandaging. I was going with stitches. Great.
"You're awake," Gen said, putting her book down and coming over to the side of my bed. "Thirsty?"
I nodded, unsure if I could talk yet.
Gen helped me sit up and held a glass to my lips for me to drink. She fluffed the pillows afterwards, and helped lay me back down, slightly more elevated than before.
"Where's Daisy?" I asked, now that my throat wasn't as parched as before.
"Kelly's entertaining her. I think they're colouring in penguins in the spare room."
"She's OK?" Meaning, is she OK with her mother lying unconscious in the next room.
Gen nodded. "Freaked a little. But because she could come in and check on you whenever she felt the need, I think it settled some of those fears. Pierce told her you were just sleeping. That helped too."
I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure if the tightening in my belly was because I now knew Pierce was OK and I was relieved, or because I was angry he'd been talking to my daughter and I hadn't.
Gen studied me for a moment, her hand absently rubbing her lower stomach in a soothing circular motion. The silence stretched a little uncomfortably between us, then both of us started talking at once.
"How's Ben?" I asked as she said, "He sang to Daisy while they sat with you."
"What?" I asked, as she replied, "Beat up, pissed off, but fine."
I took a deep breath in. OK. The fact that it had been Pierce's voice singing Daisy Bell that I'd heard was irrelevant right now. Or at least, a little too much for me to contemplate right now. I needed to concentrate on the important issues.