Read Online Come Home Soon by Emily Sharratt - Free Book Online Page B

It’s my dad; he’s hurt! I went by your dad’s surgery but the sign on the door says the doctor’s out visiting a patient.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with your father?” came her mother’s crisp voice from the hall. Ellie hadn’t even heard her approach.
    â€œHe got into a terrible fight at the pub—”
    Ellie could hear the sneer in her mother’s voice. “Oh? I’m terribly sorry, Jack, but we really can’t get involved every time your father’s had one beer too many. There would be no end of it! Now, you’ll just have to—”
    Ellie was unable to listen to another word. Couldn’t her mother see how upset Jack was? How scared? She barged past her mother and seized the spare keys to the surgery from the hook in the hallway, tore back out of the door and took hold of Jack’s arm.
    â€œWhere on earth do you think you’re going, Eleanor?”
    Ellie didn’t even look back. “I’m going to help. That’s what Father would do. And it’s what he’d want us to do as well.”
    Ignoring her mother’s shouts, she leaped on to her bicycle, and they pedalled away, not exchanging a word until they reached The Dog and Duck. Joe was slumped over his knees on the curb, his hands covering his face. Ted Townsend, a young fisherman, was sitting next to him holding a glass of water and looking as though he’d rather be anywhere else. Ellie could smell the beer on Joe’s breath and clothes.
    â€œThanks, Ted,” Jack said, crouching next to his father and resting a hand on his shoulder.
    As Joe looked up, Ellie couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of his swollen eye and the blood gushing from his nose. His handkerchief was already soaked through. His gaze was unfocused as he turned to his son.
    â€œJack. . .” He trailed off.
    â€œIt’s all right, Dad. Ellie’s going to let us into the surgery. I’m sure that new doctor will be back soon and he’ll have you right as rain in no time.”
    â€œDo you think you can walk, Mr Scott?” Ellie asked.
    Joe looked up at her without any sign of recognition.
    â€œCome on, Dad, you can walk, can’t you?” Jack coaxed.
    But Ellie could see that Joe was holding his left arm tucked in protectively against his ribs, and when Jack heaved him to his feet, he staggered and looked as though he would topple over. Ellie couldn’t tell if it was his injuries or the alcohol that was making him so unsteady on his feet.
    â€œGive us a hand, eh, Ted?”
    Ted and Jack each took one of Joe’s arms – he flinched when Jack took his left – and together the four trudged towards the surgery.
    Ellie rushed ahead to unlock the door, before leading the men into the examination room. She sent Ted away, and filled a bowl with warm water to wash Joe’s face.
    Thomas arrived only moments later, as she was gently moving the flannel over Joe’s injuries. He sent Jack and Ellie out to the waiting room while he checked Joe over. They sat in anxious silence, but they didn’t have long to wait. After a couple of minutes Thomas came out.
    â€œNot much to worry about, Jack, nothing’s broken. He’s pretty bruised all over and that will hurt when he . . . ah . . . sobers up. He’s nodded off in there and I think a bit of a snooze is probably the best thing for him. I’m going to take advantage of it to clean him up a bit more!”
    â€œThank you, doctor,” Jack croaked.
    â€œNot at all, that’s my job.” Thomas smiled, then returned to the examination room.
    â€œSeems like a decent chap,” Jack observed after a few moments’ silence.
    â€œHe is,” Ellie agreed, then paused. “Jack . . . what happened?”
    â€œI don’t know for sure. I think it might have something to do with. . .”
    He seemed unsure how to continue. Ellie rubbed