Return to Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood

Author:Evelyn Hood [Evelyn Hood]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2012-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

The wheeled ladder went one way, and Sam Brennan, who was on the top step, reaching up and to the side to fetch a box of soap powder from a high shelf, went the other. Inevitably, they parted company and the few customers in the village store scattered as Sam landed heavily on the floor.

‘What’s – Sam!’ Marcy deserted the till, where she was totalling the goods in Cissie Kavanagh’s basket, and raced to the back of the shop. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Of course I’m not all right!’ Sam covered his head with his arms as he was deluged by packets falling from the shelf. ‘Blasted steps!’

‘How often have I told you that we need a new ladder? That old thing’s an accident on wheels. I’ve said the same thing to him time and again but he never listens to me,’ Marcy appealed to the shoppers who had gathered around, clucking sympathy.

‘Never mind that. Just get me up, will you?’

‘You take that arm, Marcy, and I’ll take this one,’ Alma Parr said. ‘Someone fetch a chair from the back shop. OK, Sam, easy does it.’

She and Marcy had almost got him on to his feet when Sam gave a scream and crumpled, nearly pulling the two of them down on top of him. ‘My ankle!’ he yelped.

‘Sit him on the floor till the chair arrives,’ Alma directed, and then as someone brought one from the back shop: ‘Which ankle hurts?’

‘The right one. I think I felt something go when I landed on the ground.’ His face was tight with pain.

‘Let’s have two people on each arm and someone ready to slide the chair in beneath him. Put your weight on the left ankle, Sam.’

When they had managed to get him on to the chair, Alma knelt and felt gently round his bad ankle. Sam yelped.

‘I’ll phone the doctor,’ Cissie offered.

Alma shook her head. ‘I think a doctor would recommend a visit to the Accident and Emergency department for X-rays. You might as well take him there yourself, Marcy.’

‘I’ll bring the van round to the door.’

‘And what about the shop?’ Sam wanted to know as Marcy made for the door.

‘We’ll close it, of course.’

‘You will not! You stay here and I’ll get a taxi to the hospital.’

‘I am not going to let you go on your own. For goodness sake, man, stop being so silly!’

‘Then I’ll wait until six o’clock and you can drive me to A and E when the shop’s closed.’

‘Sam Brennan, you are the most . . .’ Marcy began as Kay McGregor stepped forward from the small, gaping crowd.

‘You take Sam to the hospital, Marcy, and I’ll look after the shop until you get back. My parents used to have a shop like this, and I helped in it frequently,’ she added as Marcy began to protest.

‘The till—’

‘I’ve used a till like that before. I’ll phone Linn Hall and let them know where I am. I’m sure they’ll understand. Go on now, poor Sam’s in a lot of pain.

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