The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 31


Kit called again.

“I’ve managed to get his arm free. I’m sure it’s not broken but it’ll be badly bruised. The door’s jammed so I’m going to get him out of the window.”

Val gasped.

“He’s too big! He’ll get stuck.”

Betty thought so, too, but just put her arm around Val’s shoulder.

The group up on the roadway, including the police, watched as slowly and carefully Alex managed to scramble nearly free of the window.

At last Kit grabbed him and they both swung out over the drop.

Aircut and the Shantymen hauled on the rope as Kit and Alex, hanging on for dear life, gradually reached the top of the incline.

The paramedics grabbed Alex and laid him down on the ground.

“I’m OK,” Alex insisted. “I don’t need any help.”

“That’s for us to say.”

They examined him and asked questions. His arm was badly bruised and he was visibly shaken.

“We’re taking you to hospital for a check-up.”

“What made you swerve?” an officer asked.

“Bloomin’ rabbit!” Alex answered. “The little blighter sat in the middle of the road. I swerved to miss him and went straight over the edge.”

“And the bunny got off scot free.” The officer grinned. “Could you just blow into this, please, sir?” he asked politely.

“He doesn’t need a breath test. He’d never drink and drive,” Val defended him.

Betty sighed.

“Val, they have to check.”

“OK, mate, I’ll give it my best blow,” Alex said wryly.

The test proved negative.

The paramedics drove off to the hospital with Alex just as the fire brigade arrived and surveyed the scene. They began to lower cables to the stricken vehicle.

“Oh, Betty, I’m so glad that it’s all over, with no-one hurt.” Val sighed.

Then there was a sound of branches snapping and a groaning noise as Alex’s pick-up slowly slid down the incline and crashed into the rear of Tangara Cottage.

“Lor’ lumme!” Aircut said. “The night’s not over yet.”

The firemen lowered cables and two of their men down to secure the pick-up and then hauled it up to the road.

“If the driver had been in it he’d have been killed,” one of them said. “As it is, no-one should go into that cottage until we’ve checked it’s safe to do so.”

“But we’re staying there!” Betty said.

“Not tonight, you’re not,” he replied.

Abigail Phillips

Abbie is the newest member of the fiction team at the "Friend." She loves how varied the role is - every day is different and there is always a new story to read. She is keen to work closely with established writers and discover new writers, too.