“Oh, Amanda…” May’s voice was tight, was she crying?
“May, what’s wrong?”
“It’s Annie.”
“Has there been an accident?”
“It wasn’t an accident. She’s in hospital. Look she’ll be fine but she’s really shaken up.”
“What the hell’s happened?”
“Oh, Amanda…” May gasped. “Annie was attacked on the yard. Two men came in with baseball bats.”
“Oh shit!”
“They were asking about you…” May’s voice hardened. “They wanted to know where you were. We told them we didn’t know…”
“Oh… Look, I can come and…” She stopped.
“No… I don’t think we need that.” May spoke softly. “Look Annie will be okay, she’s a tough girl. She’s in a bit of a bad way, but she’ll get through it.”
“Oh May… I’ve caused this… Oh, God… I am so sorry…”
“Shhh… It happened, we understood what could happen, we were careful, but not careful enough. Please, keep safe.”
The payphone started to beep, Amanda fumbled with coins but the line had gone dead before she could put in another coin. She took out her mobile and quickly dialled. “Come on, come on… Adam… Shit, voicemail. Okay, look something’s happened. Please, call me as soon as you get this.”
***
“I enjoyed that…” We walked arm in arm out of the cinema, it had been a rom-com which I am sure Adam would not have chosen for himself, however, we spent most of the time cuddling in the back row and had missed most of the flimsy plot.
Adam had borrowed his sister’s car, having recently passed his test so we were free to go out without a chaperone. We drove back to the yard, the headlights cutting a tunnel through the darkness. When we arrived I suggested that we carry out the late check to save the other girls having to come out. It involved checking each horse to make sure their rugs were secure and that they had hay and water. We split up, I took the back yard and Adam took the top, comfortable that we would get this done in a few minutes and meet up in the tack room which was warm, inviting and, at this time of the night, well away from prying eyes.
I started checking the boxes, the horses looked up curiously as I peered into their stables, one or two came across to say hello and nuzzle me for mints or other treats. It was not long before I had completed my line of stables.
I turned to go towards the tack room…
III
FATE OR FATAL
27
Consequences
I’d slept fitfully, having not seen or heard from Adam, I had spent most of the night pacing and calling his mobile. He’d gone out with Kate the day before so may well have gone somewhere with her, but I was deeply worried. I jumped at the sudden knocking. Running downstairs I found Emily in tears hammering on the door. She told me to hurry and follow her. Slipping on my boots we ran towards the stables, in the distance, I could see what looked like a pile of rags with Judith knelt beside them. As I got closer my heart sunk as I realised that they were not rags but my brother crumpled on the concrete.
“Adam!” I rushed to his side, kneeling and feeling for his faint pulse. “Have you called an ambulance?” Emily shook her head. “Well, go and call one!” She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out her phone. “Adam… Oh, God… Are you okay?” He was cold and unresponsive, blood matted in his hair.
“They’re coming!” Emily called out.
I comforted him as best I could, waiting what seemed like hours until we heard the approaching sirens of the ambulance. I sent Judith out to show them where we were.
The paramedics were efficient and polite, quickly assessing Adam and placing him on a trolley. I shouted brief instructions to the girls and got into the back of the ambulance with him.
***
Adam was rushed away, a kindly nurse told me it would be best if I waited in the relative’s room while he was attended to, she showed me in and returned with a vending machine cup of coffee, it was bitter but gave me something to do while I sat waiting. I looked up as the door opened, hoping for news.
“Miss?” I gasped as a policeman stepped into the room, he was flanked by a female officer.
“I’m Constable Jackson, this is WPC Ronson. Can we please ask you a few questions?” I nodded.
“How’s Adam?” I stuttered.
“I understand that his condition is stable. We would just like to ask if you know what happened to him?”
“No…” I bit my lip. “Emily, one of my grooms called me and said that she had found him in the yard, we called an ambulance.”
“When did you last see, Adam…”
“Yesterday, he was off with his girlfriend Kate, I didn’t see him come back.”
“Okay, and have you seen Kate since?”
“The only thing I have done today is to attend to my brother, I haven’t seen Kate.” I paused looking at the two officers. “What’s happened? What are you not telling me?”
“There’s nothing we’re not telling you. In fact all we are asking you Miss, is what may have happened. Your brother has been badly injured, apparently assaulted with a blunt instrument. The medical staff called us as they were naturally concerned for his welfare and so they have called us to investigate. Had you and your brother argued before he left?”
“I didn’t hurt Adam… Tell me is he going to be alright?” I stuttered.
“I’ll ask one of the doctors to give you an update.” The police constable left the room, the WPC remained and sat a couple of seats down from me. After a short while, a doctor came into the room.
“Hello there, we’ve been treating Mr Bishop. He came in with some pretty serious head injuries it looks as if someone had hit
