A Long Drop Down

Very good comments received, much grateful for all the support and interest. Kate's confusion as to Samuel's running out is part of the suspense which will be unravelled in later chapters. Sorry about the NI and NHS issues. In event of a case like Samuel's where the NHS details are not available wouldn't there be charges to be paid? Just trying to understand the system.

A LONG DROP DOWN (3)

Sarah finally made it to Broadsmead some forty-five minutes after having answered Mark's call. She couldn't understand what it was that made her drop everything and rush over and try as she might to convince herself that she just wanted to square their account, deep down she just knew that there was more to it than that. She had seen fresh pain in his eyes and it reminded her of her own vulnerability and suffering for the past two years. Her husband of three years had suddenly left one night without cause or reason and it wasn't until a week later when someone came pounding on the door asking for his money that she realised the extent of trouble her husband had been in. Apparently he had been a victim of an elaborate con which had seen him put all their savings into a get rich quick scheme. He had neither discussed his 'investment' with her nor had he turned to her later when he realised he had been swindled. Their youngest was only a year old and to cover for their needs, Marcus had taken money from a loan shark hoping to bridge the gap by payday. A workplace incident had got him suspended which put a strain on his plan and instead of turning to Sarah he once again went to a different loan shark to satisfy the first.

By the time matters at work were resolved he had already dug himself in deep with the loan sharks and they had started harassing him by phone at all hours of the day and night. Keeping Sarah in the dark, he tried to solve matters but his lack of attention at work led to another incident and this time he was found with cause and his contract terminated. What little he had was squandered with 'friends' at a pub trying to solve an unsolvable problem that just escalated out of control. Deciding his disappearance would end the issue, Marcus walked out of their marital home leaving Sarah clueless and totally at a loss as to how to bring up two children on her own. At the time, Sarah had been working as a part time clerk at the Tesco Café at Eastgate Road across the M32 a twenty minute walk from home on Boswell Street. The threats by the loan sharks and their constant harassment at work forced Sarah to seek her sister's help and fortunately, she had loaned her the five thousand pounds to clear the debt. But their repeated appearance at her place of work and her meagre wages had put a dent that Sarah could not clear until someone told her of an asian who was renting out cars to those who wanted to try the Braxi or uber routes since his cab company had gone down with the advent of mobile apps.

Sarah had taken to the cab business like a fish to water. Making some contacts of people who wanted a regular cab ride as well as learning to weed out the creeps from the honest working class who wanted to avoid the usual stress of driving to and from work. She had also made contacts with some bar staff at night clubs and other late night workers who wanted the safety of a reliable person and all these were more than willing to pay her without going through the app ensuring that even the app commissions would come to her. This was her reason for using her own number which was at times also cause for stress from other users who came through on the app during down times.

Her flat was another matter. They had been renting the place from Jack who seemed at the time on the up and up never bothering them as long as Marcus was a part of her life. However, as rents fell due and she failed to clear on time Jack Peaboy started showing his true colours by asking for favours against interest accrued. Sarah had persevered and managed to keep him at bay but recently she had started suspecting that Jack had access to her home and had been snooping around behind her back. With a child at Bristol Children's playhouse and another at the nearby May Park Nursery, the flat was empty most mornings. There were signs of things having been moved and especially her under clothes having been rearranged which had left her feeling defiled or violated yet there was no proof nor did she have the time to deal with the matter. But it scared her none the less.

Sarah found Mark walking out of Mark's and Spenser's with a couple of bags but he looked to be lost in some faraway place. He didn't even acknowledge her presence until she was right in his face. Mark's face lit up on seeing Sarah and he grabbed her hand whilst leading her in the direction of the Starbucks. Sarah didn't know what to make of the sudden change in his demeanour nor did she want to raise the issue but she knew that there was something deep down that was eating up Mark and for some unexplainable reason, Marcus came to mind and she made an intention to try and help Mark deal better with whatever was troubling him.

It was close to five and the coffee shop was hardly busy as offices and shops had not let out the staff and they managed to find a booth at the back. Mark asked Sarah what she would have and after placing their orders eagerly went through what he had learnt at the Infirmary about Samuel and brought her up to speed on what he had been up to and what all he had bought for Samuel. As the drinks were placed before them, Mark then in a thoughtful gesture asked Sarah what she had been up to. When she mentioned dropping her kids off at her sister's, it brought up more questions with regards to her kids. For the first time in a long time, Sarah felt she was with someone she could trust with her issues and it all came pouring out. She mentioned that the money he had given her had gone to cover part of her deficit in fees for her children, her repayment to her landlord and her sister and now she owed him a few hours' worth of transport. When he probed about her other rides for the day she mentioned that she had asked one of her associates to cover her rides which meant she had lost some income just to come and square things with Mark.

As they finished their drinks and made to leave, Mark out of the blue asked her if she had a passport with her. Sarah looked at him as though he was speaking Greek. Why would she need one and why would he be asking her for that? Mark himself was not sure why that had come out of his mouth. Until now, he had not mentioned his plans to anyone and no one knew of what had been happening in his life. Something about Sarah made him feel like offering her help and giving her a break in her life. This sense of giving was alien to him as he had never had much to give in the past but suddenly, the more he did for others the more satisfying his life seemed to be. He questioned his motives as Sarah looked at him uncomfortably not sure whether to be upset or suspicious of this sudden question. Mark noticing that she was waiting for an answer hurriedly explained that he had a booking for two people to an exotic beachside resort in Kenya. The person who was meant to travel with him would not be making it and he doubted he would be able to get a refund. Instead, he thought that perhaps Sarah could use a much deserved break and other than that, there was no motive except to make good use of money already spent.

They made their way in uncomfortable silence towards the infirmary as both thought about how their meeting had gone. Mark questioned his motives and sudden outburst to a perfect stranger whilst Sarah battled with the excitement of being offered something she had only dreamt off with the creepy nature of the offer that was proffered to her out of the blue. She couldn't help but notice the sidelong glances that Mark kept giving her nor could she deny her own attraction towards this man who had just dropped into her life out of the blue and was raising all sorts of warning bells in her mind. Neither knew how to break the silence so they made their way in the encroaching darkness towards the crossing to the infirmary. Sarah missed a step and nearly stumbled and Mark was quick to hold her up inadvertently pressing his palm into her left breast.

The awkwardness was quickly displaced as Sarah stood upright and Mark firmly took her right hand in his left as they crossed the road. The feel of his warm hand and the tingle of where his right hand had briefly pressed into her breast caused some warmth in her belly. Sarah couldn't process these feelings fast enough as every new feeling brought its own war within her mind. Having lived two celibate years of fending off unwanted advances her needs were screaming at her to take the chance whilst the defences within her system questioned the motives of this person who was uncharacteristically surreal giving freely of himself and his money in a society known for being selfish and self centred. Mark couldn't understand his actions either. He was firmly against infidelity having to process his own wife's actions and here he was literally throwing himself at someone he had just met and hardly knew. What he did understand that they were both coming off difficult circumstances and shared a common bond of pain and suffering that was part and parcel of modern day society. Strangers were better friends than one's own loved ones and where the pain by outsiders was more bearable than the wounds given by those close to one's heart.

As they reached the doors of the infirmary, Sarah turned to Mark and said, "wait! We need to sort something out first!" Mark looked on at her with worry and concern etched on his face but noted that she had not let go of his hand. If anything, she held it firmer. "I don't know you from Adam. I don't know why am here with you now. I have a lot of my own baggage and cannot handle any more drama in my life. Am not an easy lay and most certainly will not fall into bed with any man offering me a few kind words and an exotic holiday..." Mark went to stop her but she firmly put her left hand up to signal she was not done talking. "I appreciate what you have done for me today and intend to pay back what I owe you. Am not a charity case nor will I be treated like one. I seem to like you and have some trust in you, have shared more about my children and life with you than I have with anyone else. I don't have much going for me in my life, am scared, alone, defenceless and just living a day at a time. I don't know what your game is and cannot make out if you're genuinely nice or are suddenly going to turn on me. Am overwhelmed and don't know what am doing or saying"

Suddenly Mark found himself holding her to his chest as years of pain and pent up emotions burst through as tears from her eyes. Right at the door of the infirmary! People going in and coming out looked at them funny but in true human form everyone kept their own counsel and moved on some giving disapproving glances, others misplaced sympathy whilst others continued on taking it as just another drama in their daily lives. Mark didn't know how to deal with Sarah's sudden outburst. His shirt was quickly absorbing her tears, their warmth caressing his chest, her firm breasts pressed into his abdomen were also creating a distraction and he couldn't decide whether to cradle her head in his hand or hold her back. He was a mixture of embarrassment, shock, uncertainty and a myriad of other feelings that he just couldn't process.

As the sobs diminished in intensity, Mark pried Sarah from his chest immediately missing the warm feel of her firm tits pressed against him moments ago. He couldn't help but look down at her heaving chest, dishevelled hair covering her face, the green bra inside her blouse obvious due to her blouse having been displaced from its usual place. He gathered his thoughts and turned his eyes to her face raising it for her to see him eye to eye. As he wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes he said the first things that came to his organised mind. "From the moment we met have felt a connection with you. Am fighting my own devils and it seems so are you. There is no doubt that you are attractive and obviously of the opposite gender so that may also have clouded my mind and for one I will not lie to you or hide anything. I have finally found myself in a position to do as I please with my life and the ability to buy all the comforts of life but the person I believed I would be doing that with and living a good life seems to have chosen a different path. I can let the negative feelings within build up and become a harsh person and hate the face I see in the mirror or continue doing good which happened by chance with the old man and now you and love the face I see in the mirror. By helping solve his problems and yours even if it means that at best I get two friends I can trust and at worst I lose some money bringing happiness to people I'll never see again, I will be able to live with myself knowing I made a difference somewhere. These acts have been more therapeutic for me than possibly any quack or counsellor would be. I too have things to resolve as do you and all am offering for now is a shirt to cry on (that brought a slight smile on her face) and an offer to help resolve your problems. If after that you feel we are best apart I give you my word you will not hear from me again".

Mark audibly sighed and before either could make a response or give a comeback they heard sniffs and sobs to their side. Both turned in surprise to see none other than Doctor Piya wiping tears away from her eyes. Mark's questioning look brought forth an answer from her. She had been on her way out when she spotted them and wanted to brief Mark on the progress on Samuel. As she approached them Mark had just started talking and she was deeply touched by his words and apparent sincerity which was something that one rarely saw in this day and age. She proffered her hand to Mark and said "I'd love to be your friend too and hope you will offer me your shirt to shed tears on sometime". Her words broke the tension around them and both women laughed interspersed with sobs and sniffs and turned to hug a confused Mark who once again found himself surrounded by warm flesh pressing into his body and his shirt getting another dose of snoot and tears. This time round his hands automatically went onto the two shoulders as he hugged them to himself wondering just what was transpiring around him.

The hug didn't seem to end and suddenly the feeling of two warm breasts pressing into him on both sides with the womanly scent of both ladies sent signals to his nether regions. Mark realised that if he did not part from them things could become awkward as his slacks were not designed to hide his one eyed snake and the wrong meaning could be construed by either or both women involved. The sudden image of Sarah's fine arse in the cab and Piya's twitching butt in the infirmary did nothing to better the situation. Both women unaware of his situation and lost in their own source of comfort in the arms of this relative stranger hugged him closer as years of pain and grief vent out and a sense of tranquillity settled in. words failed Mark as he tried to clear his throat to signal his discomfort but the two women pressing their crotches into his thighs instead as the hug tightened made him even more aware of their womanly charms. The inevitable happened, the snake made its move, as it stretched it poked one then the other of the women and suddenly with a gasp both let go of him and looked down as Mark made a move to cover himself with the bags in his hand but not fast enough to prevent their eyes from bulging out at what they had briefly seen.

Mark felt even more uncomfortable as both women blushed and tried to hide their surprise behind their hands. The moment may have been brief but felt like hours and finally Mark found the strength to ask Doctor Piya, "well, ummm... uhhhh... yeah... sorry... you were saying... ahhh... Ummm... Samuel..."

Piya gathered her thoughts and turned to him still blushing, her slight mascara having run down her cheeks but to Mark she still looked ... and Sarah took his hand in her's as she too turned to Piya to hear what she had to say. "Well, Samuel is still sedated, he tried getting out of bed as the sedative wore off. We can't use something heavy as we do not know how he will react. Plus it's not medically recommended to keep a patient sedated for long. However, the surgeon has been to see him and will be operating on him shortly. I would have stayed for the procedure but have been on my feet for over twelve hours and it is not medically acceptable for me to continue for so long. He will give me a report as soon as he's through although he believes that the procedures could take up to five hours. He will have a word with Samuel once the procedure is done and we doubt Samuel will be able to go anywhere with casts on both limbs.

Kate has managed to get the cops involved and they have also sent someone to keep an eye on Samuel. As soon as he is out of the procedure and back in his room, they will also emphasise to him the need to stay around. You've upset my life, I've been well in control of myself until you've turned up and turned everything topsy-turvy. Before you say anything, I know you didn't mean to and it wasn't even anything on your part. I've been here for three years on my own having gone against our traditional values and tried to make a mark for myself. My lonely existence has suited me fine until you came along with a lot of drama and suddenly I feel exposed, vulnerable and unsure of myself. That hug is the closest I've come to physical contact with a person in a while and it's scared me for all the right reasons. It felt good and comforting and now I don't know what am saying or am going to do. I have a lot to think and sort but I do know that I'll regret not saying it so I request you to please consider being my friend, At least for now, just a friend".

Mark was floored! Less than twelve hours ago he was a non-entity amidst the mass of humanity that surrounded him except to the one person whom he had exposed himself to and who had firmly placed a knife in his guts unknowingly. Now he suddenly had people around him, female to be precise who wanted to befriend him and get close to him. As his mind tried to process these things his left hand moved towards Piya to shake her hand (his right firmly trapped in Sarah's two hands as her breasts encircled his abs). Piya looked at his outstretched hand clutching the two bags with clothes for Samuel and burst out in a giggle that sent a shiver down Mark's spine (in a good way) and whose tremor was not unnoticed by Sarah who clutched to him closer almost in a possessive manner. She couldn't understand why she felt intimidated by the doctor but it was as though she was afraid of losing touch with this person who had suddenly lit a candle of hope in her life. Mark in turn looked at his hand as though it was a foreign object, at Sarah's face, at Piya and wasn't sure how to react. Piya saved the moment by taking the bags from his hand into her right hand and giving him her left to shake. She naturally drew closer to him and gave him a slight peck on his left cheek which made Mark blush, Sarah clutch harder at Mark and Piya turn towards Sarah and offer her her hand in friendship too. Sarah let go slightly of Mark, then altogether as she realised how silly she had been behaving and took Piya's hand in hers.

As Piya made to go, she offered them both her cell phone number so that they could stay in touch and both Sarah and Mark removed their phones to capture the same and give her miscalls so that she would have their numbers as well. As Mark saved her number he noted the number of miscalls on his phone and messages that he had not heard having placed his phone on silent after Emily's earlier call. Sarah too noted that her sister had left a message showing concern for her whereabouts as the kids had fallen asleep waiting for their mother.