Serenity

Frankie was running from her past – but could she find peace in the sun?

- Teresa Ashby

Frankie gripped the steering wheel as she struggled to see through the lashing rain. The windscreen wipers weren’t helping, and she fought to keep the ambulance on the road while all too aware of the patient fighting for their life in the back.

She had to strike a balance between getting to the hospital fast and not having an accident, but the patient was in a dangerous condition and so were the roads.

She was used to driving in all weathers, but this storm was something else, with high winds buffeting the vehicle and the trees lining the road swaying almost in tune with the siren. Lying water snatched at the wheel and she almost lost control. Slowing down a little, she leaned forward looking for her turn-off and was blinded by lights coming from the side.

‘No!’ she howled as a massive crash sent the ambulance rolling over and over until it came to a stop on its side, and the only thing she could hear was her own screaming…

‘Frankie! Frankie! It’s all right. You were having another nightmare.’

She twisted and turned, fighting against the strong hands that held hers as she tried to lash out.

‘Jonah!’ she sobbed.

‘Frankie, love, you’re OK. You’re safe.’ She opened her eyes and found herself bathed in sweat and shaking. She stared wide-eyed at her flatmate Rik as she tried to get her bearings. Gradually her breathing slowed as her surroundings came into focus, but her heart still thumped as if it was trying to beat its way out of her chest.

‘Are you all right now?’ Rik asked. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’