In the ambulance to the Northern General Hospital, Sian’s heartbeat began to slow and she went into ventricular fibrillation as the ambulance pulled into the bay outside A&E. There was nothing Matilda could do but watch as she was rushed into theatre.
Matilda stood in the entrance, watching the doors close on her colleague and friend. She couldn’t lose Sian. She was one of the good guys.
‘Matilda, what are you doing here?’ Christian came out of nowhere, making her jump. He saw her hand hastily wrapped in a makeshift bandage. ‘What happened to you?’
‘Long story. Sian’s been stabbed.’
‘What?’
Matilda couldn’t speak as tears began to fall down her face. Christian placed his arm around her shoulders and led her to the waiting area. Between sobs, she filled him in on everything that had happened at Acorn Drive.
‘I should call Stuart. He should be here with Sian.’
‘I’ll do that.’
Matilda nodded and fell silent. ‘Shit, how’s Ellen?’
‘Concussed. She also inhaled a great deal of dirty water. They’re going to keep her in for observation. She’ll live, that’s the main thing.’
‘And Ranjeet?’
‘He’s fine. He’s had to have his stomach pumped and he’s broken his ankle. Kesinka’s with him reading him the riot act.’
Matilda briefly smiled. ‘I’m not surprised.’
‘He did well. They all did. Scott and Natasha. They should get a commendation for this.’
‘I’ll have a word with the ACC when … oh my God, I haven’t spoken to her for ages. I don’t know how Arthur is. What time is it?’
He looked at his watch. ‘Just coming up to midnight.’
‘Is it still Saturday?’
‘For a few more minutes, yes.’
‘It’s been a long day.’
‘Let’s go and get your hand seen too. You’re starting to drip.’
‘I feel sick.’
‘That’s what happens when you lose blood. Come on.’
***
Matilda’s wound had been cleaned up. She’d been given a tetanus injection and something for the pain. She lay back on the bed, her palm facing upwards waiting for it to be dressed. She closed her eyes. She was shattered and wanted to go to sleep. Everything was a mess. She’d assumed Craig had been abusing Keeley but hadn’t had the evidence to charge him. She’d had no idea how deep his vile vindictiveness ran. Poor Jodie. She’d been used, brainwashed into thinking she was in a loving relationship. Had the signs been there? The more Matilda thought about it, yes, they had been. Why hadn’t she seen it?
The curtain was pushed back and Adele stepped into the cubicle.
‘I’ve put in a request with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to have one of these cubicles named in your honour.’
Matilda looked up and smiled dopily. ‘Injured in the line of duty.’
‘You shouldn’t be, though. You’re supposed to send the younger ones out to do the leg work. You’re supposed to be behind a desk pulling your hair out about overtime and arrest targets.’
‘That sounds dull.’
‘Safer than getting stabbed,’ she said, looking closely at her injury. ‘That doesn’t look too bad. I don’t think it will affect you holding a glass of wine.’
‘Can you check up on how Sian’s doing?’
‘She’s in ICU. Her stomach wall was ruptured. She’s lost a great deal of blood. The next twenty-four hours will be critical.’
‘Jesus. Is Stuart here?’
‘Yes. He and the kids are in the relatives’ room.’
‘I should go and see them,’ Matilda said, trying to climb off the bed.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Adele pushed her back down. It didn’t take much effort. ‘Listen, do you want me to call Daniel?’
‘What for?’
‘To tell him what’s happened.’
Matilda thought for a moment. ‘No. Don’t call him.’
‘He’ll be concerned.’
‘I know. That’s why I don’t want you to call him.’
The curtain was pulled back again and a nurse stepped in. ‘Right then, Mrs Darke, time to get your wound dressed then you can go home.’
‘I’ll wait outside,’ Adele said.
‘Is she your sister? She can wait if she wants.’
‘No. We’re not sisters,’ Adele said.
‘No. She’s my lesbian life partner,’ Matilda said with a grin.