The snap of a dry twig under his boot was something Jack barely noticed. One second the whole world was spinning wildly in technicolour, and the next, he saw a million bright pinpricks before all the light seemed to explode directly into his left arm, just above the elbow.
Ow Jack grabbed at his wounded arm and howled, a useless animal noise of pain.
Jack! his mate Molly was by his side in a flash, dropping to her knees with theatrical concern. Does it hurt?
No, its absolutely lovely! Jack hissed, face screwed up, voice trembling.
Molly reached out gingerly and touched Jacks shoulder.
Take your hand off! he barked suddenly, eyes flashing. It hurts! Just leave off, will you?
Jack felt doubly rotten. Firstly, it looked like hed gone and broken his arm, ensuring that the next month would consist of relentless mockery from his so-called mates at school, especially about the cast. But worse, hed only gone up that tree in the first place to impress Molly with his dazzling show of strength and athleticism. The fact that hed managed to injure himself in front of her was too much to bear. And now she was fussing over him as if he were some wounded puppy. Not a chance! Holding his limp arm, Jack got to his feet in a huff and set off towards the nearest hospital.
Jack, dont worry, seriously! Molly scampered after him, flooding the pavement with encouragement. Itll be fine! Honestly, youre going to be just fine!
Oh, give it a rest, he snapped, stopping to glare at her as he spat theatrically onto the ground. Fine? Are you having a laugh? Ive broken my arm! What part of that is fine, you muppet? Go home, youre doing my head in!
Without another glance, Jack stomped towards A&E, leaving Molly on the kerbside, eyes huge and grey-green, whispering over and over, Itll be alright, Jack itll be alright
***
Mr John Worthington, if we dont see a transfer of funds within the next twenty-four hours, we shall be most upset. Oh, and one more thing. Theres a forecast for black ice on the roads tomorrow; best be careful behind the wheel. One can never be too sure these days, can one? Accidents are such an inconveniencenever know when disaster might strike. Have a pleasant day.
The caller hung up, and a long, oppressive hush took over. John chucked the phone across his desk and grabbed at his greying hair, collapsing against the backrest of his office chair.
And where am I supposed to find that lot? he muttered. That payments not due until next month
Sighing, he snatched up the handset and jabbed at the keypad.
Susan, can we send the money to those chaps at the Holding Company for the equipment order today?
But Mr Worthington
Can we or not?
Yes, but that would completely mess up the current payment plan
Never mind the plan! Well sort that out later. Transfer the funds to their account today.
Well, if you say so, but therell be issues
But hed already cut her off and slammed his fist down on the chairs armrest.
Bloody leeches
A soft touch on his shoulder made John jump out of his skin. He spun in his chair, frowning.
Sam, how many timesplease dont sneak up on me when Im working, alright?
His wife, Samantha, leaned in, kissed his ear and ran her fingers through his hair.
John, darling, please dont work yourself into a state. Everything will turn out alright.
Oh, not this everything will be alright again! You sound like a broken record! If I end up dead tomorrow, will everything still be alright? John leapt up, pushing Samantha gently aside. What were you doing? Making stew? Go finish your stew then! I dont need your optimismI need a flamin miracle!
She sighed, heading for the door. As she left, she lingered. Everything will be alright, John.
***
You know lying here, I keep thinking about all the years weve had together
The old man cracked open a watery eye, settling it on his wife, her face now lined like parchment, shoulders stooped, posture bent from decades of plodding round after him. She fussed over the drip in his hand, as careful as ever, and smiled in silence.
Whenever things went wrongwhen I was down and out, dodging disaster, or right on deaths doorstepyoud always turn up and say the same thing. Never changed your tune. Used to drive me round the bend, your tenacity and naivety! He chuckled, which set off a fit of coughing. Eventually, the spasm faded, and he pressed on, croakier. Broken arms and legs, threats from blokes with baseball bats, lost everything more than once, fell into holes nobody ever comes out of. And youyoud stand there and chirrup, Everything will be alright. Not once did you lie, somehow. How on earth did you always know, eh?
I didnt know, John, she sighed. You think I said that for your sake? I was only ever trying to calm myself down, you daft old sod. Spent my life loving you more than anything, even though you acted like a twit most of the time. When you were in a mess, I felt twice as bad; you have no idea how many nights I cried to myself. Id say over and over, Let the sky fall as long as hes alright. If hes alive, itll all work out.
John pressed his eyes shut for a moment and squeezed her hand, fighting for breath.
So thats how it was All these years I was cross with you for it. Im sorry, Sam. I never knew All this time, never really thought about you, did I? What an idiot.
Soft as rain, Samantha brushed a tear away and leaned over her husband.
John, dont fret
She paused, looking deep into his eyes, and then laid her head gently on his still chest, her hand stroking his growing cold fingers.
It really WAS alright, Johnny, it really WASFor a long, silent moment, neither moved; only the faint beep of the heart monitor marked the measure of passing time. Then, with a shuddering sigh, the old man squeezed her fingers one last time.
Around the quiet room, morning crept slowly in, painting pale gold over the faded curtains, softening the harsh edges of machines and worry. Samantha listened to the hushthe profound, peaceful hush she had long feared but now found herself cradled within.
And then, slowly, she rose and pressed her lips to Johns brow, as she had done at the close of every troubled day, and whispered through choked laughter and tears, You see, my loveI told you. Everything will be alright.
Outside, spring birds sparkled into song, oblivious and jubilant, the world moving forward with aching grace. And in that sunrise, somewhere between endings and beginnings, promise hovered: a gentle, stubborn hope, as steady as Samanthas eternal refrainsoftening hardship, soaking hurt, and mending what was broken.
Everything, in its own unlikely way, would be alright.
