Tough Crowd by Andi Osho

Author:Andi Osho [Osho, Andi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2023-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

At the other desks, everyone is half working, half guessing the cash-builder question on the radio quiz. But me, I’m in data-entering cruise-control, mind obsessively sifting over how things are with Elle and that unexpected vegan pizza hell-scape five days ago. I deserve a Pride of Britain award for persevering with this kid. From my handbag I hear the insistent brrrr of my vibrating phone and slip it from its side pocket. It’s Will so I scurry to the stairwell at the end of the corridor to take the call.

‘Thank God you rang. Bobbie’s eating pistachios again and the noise is driving me mad.’

‘Abi, I can’t stay long. I need your help.’

I straighten at the urgency in Will’s voice.

‘What is it? What’s up?’

‘Ez was at her holiday club this morning, that garden camp, and she got stung by a bee. She’s had quite a bad reaction.’

My breath shortens as I imagine worst-case scenarios – anaphylactic shock, fat tongues and blue faces. ‘Is she okay? Has she gone to hospital?’

‘She’s fine. Threw up a couple of times though so we want to get her home. Problem is, Kat dropped her off early this morning before getting a train to Manchester. She’s on her way back but won’t get to Ez for a couple of hours. I would go but there’s barely a skeleton staff at the Dis so I agreed to stay till Olive comes in—’

I stop Will, mid-flow. ‘I’ll pick her up and take her to yours.’

I sense him flood with relief. ‘Thank you. Are you sure?’

‘I’ve got you. It’s not even a thing,’ I tell him. ‘Just leave it with me.’

‘Abi, you’re a life saver. I’ll call you in a bit,’ Will says and we hang up.

I don’t think I’ve ever come to anyone’s rescue before and the thrill of this newfound responsibility is dizzying. Getting into action mode, I dart back to the office and grab my things.

‘You all right, Abi?’ Jill asks, fishing a soggy digestive from her tea.

‘No … It’s … my mum. I’ve gotta go,’ I say, careful not to catch Bobbie’s eye.

If anyone’s going to root out a fib, it’s the in-house conspiracy theorist.

‘Oh, hope she’s okay. Do you need us to book you a taxi somewhere?’ Jill asks, phone receiver already in hand.

‘Would you mind?’ I say, hoping it’s coming out of the company dime rather than my scant wages.

‘No problemo. Where to?’

‘Little Green Fingers Day Centre and Garden camp,’ I say without thinking.

Jill’s hand pauses over the phone buttons. ‘Sorry, where?’

Bobbie looks over, eyes narrowing.

‘Long story. Gardening accident, rakes, pitchforks!’ I babble, waving my hand for Jill to carry on dialling.

Thankfully she does and soon a cab is ordered. I say flustered goodbyes and promise to send updates as I back out the door.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.