Lisa Smith walked in through the front door of her flat and smelt the familiar feel of her home. She dropped her case and just stood, breathing in the slightly stale air. Leaning back slightly she felt the wall touch her shoulder blades and she smiled. Picking up her case she made her way to the kitchen and dropped it by the washing machine. Unzipping it she allowed the contents to fall on the floor, then stooping she began to divide it up. It had been four glorious days away, just by herself, and she was absolutely shattered and happy at the same time.
Repacking the remnants she pushed the case aside and picked up the "coloureds" pile, ramming it into the machine. She added soap, softener and fabric conditioner to the appropriate trays. Closing all doors she flicked the mains switch on and turned the dial, punching the start button. As it began to whirr and hum, she moved to the kettle and filled it. Ten minutes later she was sitting in her armchair in the lounge going through the post. A large discard pile and a small useful pile appeared either side of her feet.
Taking her dirty coffee cup out to the kitchen she laid it in the sink. Throwing the waste paper into the scrap box in the corner she hefted her case and walked back to her bedroom. Case tossed on the bed, she opened her wardrobe and looked in, there were some clothes there, so no desperate need to complete the washing today. Opening the case she removed the two or three tops she hadn't worn and rehung them. Likewise her chest of drawers received two pairs of unused knickers and a couple of pairs of tights and some brightly coloured socks. She popped her makeup bag on the top by her combs and brushes and took her wash bag to the bathroom. Once tidied and the case stowed beneath her bed, she thought about something to eat.
Lisa thought hard and long about a takeaway, but in the end settled for a cheese omelette and a piece of fruit she found at the bottom of her fridge. Sated she sat down and flicked on the TV, but finding nothing interesting she decided to have a bath and an early night. Clearing away she checked the washing and transferred the load to her tumble dryer. The rest of the washing could wait til morning. Locking up and turning all the lights off, she made her way to the bathroom.
Stripping she pushed the pile of dirty clothes behind the door. She started the water running, but by the time she had it nicely warm, she needed a pee. Squatting over the toilet she pee'd and marvelled at how strong her stream was, she wasn't aware until the point her bladder protested she needed to go. Finishing she wiped and flushed. Standing she caught sight of her hazy reflection in the steamy mirror. At twenty eight she was thin and elegant. Standing nearly six feet tall, she was perfectly proportioned. Her flared hips were not too wide, with a flat belly, but not a washboard and ample thirty two B cup breasts.
She slid into the bath and felt herself relax, she spooned water over her chest and arms, sinking down until her head was all that emerged from the water, well her ankles and feet did too. She knew she either had to have her feet or her shoulders and chest out of the deliciously warm water. Sighing she leaned back against the sloping bath wall. Later she sat and washed her top half, then stood and did her trunk and legs. Feeling relaxed and slightly sleepy she drained the bath, dried and with her bundle of dirty clothes walked to her bedroom. She tossed the dirty pile into the laundry hamper, which had stood empty on her return. Pushing on the lid she rounded her bed and pulled the duvet back. The bedclothes were freshly laundered, put on the morning she left. Sighing once again she slid into the bed and slept soundly.
Lisa woke just after seven thirty on the Sunday and after her morning ablutions pulled on a t-shirt, knickers and jeans. She felt ready for the day. In the kitchen she started her Nespresso machine and whilst it warmed up she refilled the washing machine and started its gurgling motion again. She made for the freezer and removed two home bake croissants, put them on a metal plate and into the oven. Whilst they warmed and tanned she made coffee and sipped lightly. A ping of the timer told her the croissants were ready and she deftly flicked them onto a waiting plate, dropping the hot metal one into the sink. A spoonful of jam and she headed for her lounge dining table. Seated she read the news on her phone as she sipped and picked at her breakfast.
Her phone began to trill and she flicked to answer it. Her mother was talking, she sounded hysterical, choking with tears. Suddenly her father was on the line, there had been an accident. Pete and Carole Ann, her brother and sister in law had been in some sort of pile up. It was pretty serious, they were off to the hospital would she come. Lisa murmured her confirmation and arranged to meet her parents along the route. She grabbed her bag and purse, found shoes and a coat, fleeing the house in minutes. Outside she hailed a cab and asked for the local station. Minutes later she was on the platform awaiting the arrival of the next departure. Within forty minutes she was outside the station on the route her parents were taking, anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Her parents old Ford swept up to her and she ran round and jumped in. Realising after so long as a grown up, she still thought of the seat behind her Dad as her seat. She cinched her seat belt into the clip as her Dad drew away from the kerb. Between sobs her Mother, Claire, tried to explain what had happened. Apparently after a night out together the two were driving back when a driver had veered across the road and ploughed into a group of cars waiting at the lights. He'd jumped the red and swerved and lost control as the other lane had started to move off. He'd been traveling well above the limit, both speedwise and drinkwise. The impact had been the driver's side of Pete's car, which had sprung into the railings at the roadside and crushed the car. The Driver had fled the scene, leaving a trail of carnage behind. Pete was seriously hurt, head, neck, shoulder, chest and hip injuries, internal bleeding and suspected brain bleed. They were trying to stabilise him, to do a scan, but he was not responding too well. Carol Ann had bruises, shock and a suspected broken arm. She was in better shape but still quite badly concussed. Four others had been hospitalised, including a seven month pregnant woman.
At the Hospital Carol Ann's mother and father were there and the four parents hugged and held each other. After a quick recap they moved to the ICU reception area to await updated details of their children's situation. Lisa sat between her parents, numb and shocked. Only a month ago she, Pete and Carol Ann had spent a superb week abroad. They had hired a villa, lounged, lazed, swum and generally relaxed for ten days. They had laughed and laughed, pushed each other in the pool, played jokes and pranks on each other. They had danced, drunk and sung their way through the bars in town. It had been perfect. How could this be? Lisa's head dipped. A doctor came out and spoke to the parents and Lisa, the situation was fraught. Pete was healthy and fit but the sheer number of problems he was facing made recovery an uphill struggle. Carol Ann was responding but only slowly. Concerned they were going to keep her in a medically induced coma for the time being.
Time dragged slowly through the day and the night. Pete's condition was giving grave cause for concern. His vital signs showed no indication of improvement. At six am the following morning Pete passed away, he never regained consciousness. Claire and Jim were shattered, they fell into hysterical crying and Carol Ann's parents tried but were unable to help them. Lisa felt she had been set adrift. Her big brother was an anchor in the ocean of life for her. Claire needed sedating, but Jim sort of got a grip. Eventually they left for home after saying goodbye to their son. Lisa felt that she should stay on with Neil and Helen, Carol Ann's parents. She knew she would break down like her Mum if she went to her parents.
After three days, Carol Ann began to make a recovery, she was brought out of her coma and her signs indicated a return to normal for her. She had not been told about Pete and Lisa asked if she could break the news to her. Neil and Helen agreed and were grateful for her request. Lisa entered the High Dependency Unit and sat holding Carol Ann's hand. It seemed like hours later before Carol Ann opened her eyes. She tried to speak, but only a harsh grumble emerged. Lisa quietened her and held her hand tighter. Finally after much effort Carol Ann asked after Pete. Lisa, felt the tears starting. As gently as she could she told Carol Ann what had happened. Tears fell from their eyes and Lisa leaned down and kissed Carol Ann's forehead. A long deep, heart rending wail escaped Carol Ann's mouth. She sobbed and sobbed, holding Lisa's hand tightly. Later Lisa left and was replaced by Neil and Helen.
A month later and the four parents stood over the newly dug grave after the service, for once the gods of small things had decided to play ball and it was a dry sunny day. Carol Ann, supported by crutches and Lisa, looked for the last time at her husband. They slowly moved away and Lisa helped Carol Ann to the waiting cars. By agreement, Lisa took Carol Ann to her flat. Carol Ann couldn't face the family or her empty home, so Lisa volunteered herself and her home for the time being. The journey back was quiet and thoughtful. At the entrance the driver had opened the door and helped Lisa put Carol Ann into a lightweight wheelchair. After ensuring they were ok, he left. Lisa wheeled her sister in law to the lift and they ascended to her floor. Once inside the flat Lisa transferred Carol Ann to an armchair and made her a drink. Carol Ann had more or less recovered from the accident, although she still had multiple bruises on her body. Pete's flailing arm in the crash had broken her nose and she had a nasal plaster to hold it in place, which had only recently been removed. Her cheek wasn't nearly as blue as it had been; judicious foundation makeup and a little blusher had disguised it sufficiently for the day.
Carol Ann waited until Lisa sat beside her, taking her hand she thanked her for her help. Lisa kissed her forehead. They sat in silence for a while, then Lisa went to retrieve her phone and pick up mails and texts. Carol Ann left her phone untouched, she was restless and ill at ease, noticing Lisa put her phone down.
"You OK babe?"
"No, err, Yes... I don't know. Leese I don't know how I can cope without him,"
"Don't worry, it will work out, I..." Lisa fumbled for another platitude, lost.
"See, you know what? I don't want to deal with it. I want to hide. Run away, leave all this crap behind, I want to forget, everything."
