It was Nashy that brought her the news of Meg’s passing. He had parked his car in the heavy fog, in the driveway and sat there for a long time. Engine idling, heater washing warm air over him whilst he ran over how to break it to her. When he finally decided that he had no idea of what to say, but knew he had to say it anyway, he climbed from the car and knocked on Rebecca’s door. He woke her and it took her a while to stumble down the hall and fumble with the door, opening it slowly. She shielded her eyes from the morning light, even though it had been dimmed by the fog and shielded herself from the cold by pulling up the collar of the old dressing gown she had pulled from amongst Pops things. When she saw Nashy, she knew something was wrong, his eyes were downcast, trying to avoid hers.
“Nashy. What’s going on? You look like you ran over someone’s dog.”
He looked up at Rebecca, and she could see the glint of a tear in his eyes.
“I’m sorry Bec. It’s Meg. She’s gone. She…Damn it.”
“No. I saw her yesterday. I know she was sick, but…she.” Her breath caught in her throat.
“I know Bec. I know. It’s all fucked up…sorry for swearing, but it is.”
“Where’s Uncle Paul?”
“Not sure. Hospital, I guess. He left a message on my phone. Sounded in a bad way himself. Not answering his phone now.”
“I’ve got to get ready and get in there.”
“I thought you might. That’s why I’m here. I’m driving you. Get changed. I’ll wait in the car. I got a thermos of hot tea out there and I hope you like it milky and sweet.”
Rebecca reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. Nashy looked her in the eye again and just nodded. It meant more than he could find words for, and Rebecca turned and hurried back to her room to get ready. Sarge sat in the hall, sensing something was wrong. As Rebecca came out of her room, she let her hand fall to the dog’s head.
“I’ll be back soon girl. Be good.”
The trip to the Hospital was one of silent sadness. The tea, sweet and milky as promised, still tasted bitter to Rebecca, but she knew it was just the overwhelming shock and grief that had put a sour taste in her mouth. Nashy spoke to her a few times, but she hardly took it in. Staring instead out the window into the mist shrouded gullies, and farmland that lay beside the road.
The Hospital was a hive of activity when they arrived. From what little they had overheard a head-on crash between a semi-trailer and a car had brought in four people in serious condition, and another single car crash had another person on their way in, in an ambulance. She could see the focus and concern on the faces of the nursing staff and felt guilty when she stopped one of them to ask about Meg, and Paul.
“Are you family?”
Rebecca knew the real answer was no.
“It’s my Aunt. Aunty Meg.”
“I’m so sorry. She was peaceful when it happened.” The nurse paused for a moment. “I think her husband is still upstairs with the Doctor.”
Rebecca did not hesitate to head for the elevator, Nashy following close behind and when they both stepped out into the upstairs corridor, they saw him. Rebecca held back her tears as she stepped toward him but could hold them back no longer when she heard the sobs coming from Nashy behind her. She ran the last few steps and wrapped her arms around her Uncle Paul, burying her face in his chest. He held her tightly, and she could feel him trembling slightly as he too began to sob. It was only when a Nashy joined the tearful hug that they both drew a breath and Paul spoke.
“It’s okay you two. I’m glad you’re here, but I’m okay.”
Rebecca drew back, still holding Paul’s hand to look into her uncle’s eyes. Reddened and puffy, but still, as always, a steely grey that commanded authority. The tremble in his hand gave Rebecca a true sense of what state he was in. She broke the stare when Nashy spoke.
“I’m so sorry mate. I can’t begin to imagine how you’re doing but…”
“Thanks, but…yeah it’s a bastard to get your head around, but she’s not in pain anymore. She went in her sleep, just wish…” his breath caught in his throat and between some choked sobs he continued, “wish I’d been here with her when she went.”
“She loved you Uncle Paul and I know you loved her. We all did.”
Paul gave a fractured smile, while a tear ran down his cheek. Rebecca wiped it away with the back of her hand.
“Is there anything we can do mate? I know all you coppers help each other out when you need, but I…we want to help as well. Don’t we Bec.”
“Yeah. We do.”
“I know, and yeah I think most stuff will be sorted. She planned for this you know. Ran all the plans by me but I didn’t want to listen, so she made me. So, I reckon other than feeling like shit, everything is almost sorted.”
A nurse stepped up to them, giving the impression she needed to talk.
“Listen you two, thank you but I reckon the plans she made ,still need me to do some stuff. Megsie said I’d have to get my shit together and get stuff done, so I best go do it.”
Rebecca could tell the Nurse needed him, so wrapped her arms around him once again.
“I love you Uncle Paul.”
“Love you too Missy.”
Nashy not wanting to feel left out added, “Yeah me-too mate. Love you.”
“You’re a good mate Nashy. Now do me a favour and get this lady home.”
“Done.”
Paul turned and followed the nurse back down the hall and into a room. The heavy wooden door closing behind them.
Rebecca smiled at Nashy. “You’re a big softie. Lots of love in that big old heart I think.”
“Yeah. Maybe. Just don’t go telling anyone I said I love a copper.”
She put her arm around his shoulder and together they headed back to the elevator.
Downstairs nurses and doctors moved with purpose. All seeming intent on the critical patients that had come in this morning. Rebecca spotted Craig's sister, Tania and gave a quick wave, not wanting to distract her from her duties. Tania looked up at Rebecca, a look of puzzlement on her face as she came toward her.
“How did you get here so quick? How did you find out?”
Rebecca answered hesitantly, “Nashy. He came over this morning told me. Brought me in.”
Tania seemed more confused now than earlier. “Umm…Ok. Well he’s been taken into our critical care unit. It’s scary. Mum and Dad haven’t even got here yet.”
“He? What? I came in to see my Uncle. My Aunt passed away last night.”
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry. You haven’t heard then. It’s Craig. He was in a crash. Struggling to keep things together at the moment but it’s all staff on deck.”
Rebecca stopped and stared, mouth half open. “Is he okay?”
“Doctors are with him. Don’t know much more now, other than they found him crashed into a stump. Ambo’s said looked like someone ran him off the road. Someone just left him there to die.”
A buzzer rang somewhere, and Tania turned to look. “I got to go. I’m sorry about your Aunt.” She hurried off and was lost amongst a swarm of medical staff.
“Who’s Craig?”
“Oh. Sorry Nashy. Craig Braye. He came to fix the downpipe.”
“The plumber. Yeah, I know his dad. Shit, hope the kid’s alright.”
“This is turning out to be a really shit day.”
“Yeah. Well, nothing we can do here now so let’s get you home.”
“Ok…actually do you think we could make a detour.”
Nashy raised his eyebrows, the tangled mess they were at the best of times, knitting together, errant hairs pointing in all directions. Rebecca swore they were alive.
“Detour?”
“Yeah. Someone else will be missing Aunty Meg.”