HER LITTLE BOY IS crying for her. She can hear him in the background, his voice broken by big heaving breaths – ‘I… want… my… ma… mmeee…’
‘We’re in the hospital now…’ Her sister’s voice is deliberately calm, almost scornful. ‘He’s fine, Freya, but he wants his mammy.’
‘What the fuck, Cara? I’m coming now. Tell him I’m coming now. I’ll get a taxi, I’ll be there soon.’
A car honks as she cuts across the sun-sliced road at College Green. It is taking her so long, so long just to get across the road.
‘He’s alright, he’s only got ten stings…’
‘How did it happen? Why weren’t you minding him?’
‘Denise is fine, Freya, thanks very much for asking.’
‘This isn’t the time for sarkiness, Cara…’
‘… but Megan’s covered in them. She swole up really badly. They had to give her adrenalin…’
Freya doesn’t give a fuck how many bites Cara’s girls got. She trusted her sister with Jem. She trusted her to take care of him and now he’s in the hospital and not even an apology.
‘He’s being a very brave boy, aren’t you Jem? You’re alright Jem… But Freya I think you should come. Call me when you get to the hospital and I’ll come and find you…’
‘I only have a tenner, do you have cash?’