‘Who are you?’ screamed Emma. ‘What do you want?’
But the dazzling lights behind gave her all the answers she needed. Whoever they were, they were trying to push her over the edge. They were trying to kill her. D
esperately, Emma stamped her foot down on the accelerator, and pulled away from the car behind, her hands shaking on the wheel as she fought to keep her car steady round a bend. And then she saw it in her headlights: two hundred yards up ahead, the sturdy crash barrier disappeared, to be replaced by a flimsy wooden fence. That meant the drop was less severe, less fatal – surely? As she gunned the engine, the chasing vehicle caught up and crashed into Emma’s car so hard that her head cracked against the steering wheel. Her car was suddenly wrenched over to the right and thrown into a skid; the rear end whipped round and caught the last section of the steel crash barrier. Emma jumped on the brakes with both feet; her car veered off the road and slammed into the rough timber fence, chunks of wood and metal flew at the windscreen like missiles. The car slid along at a crazy angle, the fence holding its weight for the moment; only a few slats of wood preventing it from rolling down the mountain. Emma knew she had to move. She unclipped her seatbelt and pushed all her weight against the door. It flew open and she used the momentum to throw herself up and out of the car, landing facedown into the gravel at the side of the road, tearing her hands and elbows as she did so. She rolled over just in time to see the fence finally splinter and the car plunge away into the dark. There was nothing but a rushing sound for a few long seconds and then a crash, followed by a crump and a white glow as the engine ignited. Emma scrambled away from the edge, clawing her way across the dark road and into the snow bank on the other side. The cold air stung her bruised and torn body. She lay back as she watched the car burst into flames. And then she felt nothing.
55
The first thing Emma saw when she opened her eyes again was the sterile white of the hospital ceiling. Slowly her vision adjusted and she became aware of a shape standing by her bed.
‘Rob?’
‘Hey,’ he said in a quiet voice, a sad smile on his lips. ‘Welcome back.’
‘Why are you here?’ she croaked. ‘How did you … what’s going on … ?’
Emma closed her eyes again, struggling to make sense of it all, her confusion almost as acute as the throbbing pain coming from every part of her body.
Lifting her head with effort, she saw a coat over the back of the chair and a large bunch of lilies in a vase on the table.
‘Have I been unconscious?’
Rob nodded. ‘Since yesterday.’
‘But why are you here?’
He looked down and gave her a smile.
‘I called to say Happy Christmas. Your mother had your mobile phone and told me there’d been an accident.’
Emma’s head ached.
‘I don’t understand. You came from Chilcot?’
‘No, I was in Courchevel; the drive isn’t too bad. Just being a good neighbour – brought you some grapes,’ he joked.
She managed a weak smile.
‘I feel dreadful.’
‘You don’t look too hot, either.’
Emma actually laughed at this, instantly regretting it as pain stabbed at her ribs.
‘You know how to charm the ladies, Rob Holland,’ she winced. ‘Every one except me, anyway. So tell me: what’s the damage? It feels bad.’
Rob paused a beat before replying and by the expression on his face she knew that it was serious. Their eyes locked and Emma felt a flutter in her chest.
‘I think it could have been a lot worse,’ he said quietly. ‘Broken wrist, ribs, lots of cuts and bruises. The main thing worrying the docs is that you’ve been unconscious for so long. But it’s good to have you back again now, slugger.’
Emma smiled again and Rob straightened up.
‘Listen, I think your mum is in the hospital somewhere getting a drink,’ said Rob. ‘I’m going to find her – and a doctor. Don’t you go anywhere, OK?’
She reached out her hand to touch his.
‘Don’t. Just stay with me a minute.’
Looking at Rob, she realized all her anger towards him had gone. They weren’t a couple but the connection was still there. She felt safe with him. He squeezed her fingers and with his other hand stroked her gently on the cheek.