Before Callum receives the call he hears barking in the distance. If a dog has found the couple, he will be running between them and his handler, barking all the time to show the way.
The radio call confirms it. Callum and Danielle quicken their pace towards Low Pike. When they arrive, they find a woman on the ground, her face pale in the torchlight, her trouser leg rolled up and her ankle purple and swollen. Her husband sits behind her, arms around her as though he’s trying to help her keep warm.
‘My knights in bright orange armour,’ she says in a wobbly voice, then bursts into tears, apologising for causing them all trouble. Callum relaxes as Bill sets about splinting her ankle and gives her fentanyl for the pain. He watches as Ivy rejects the offer of laughing gas and berates her husband for not believing in the worth of mobile phones. He’s pretty sure this lady is going to be just fine.
They unfold the stretcher and lift her on as gently as they can. Larry Semple immediately moves around to take a corner, but Callum gently guides him to one side, before taking up the position himself.
‘You must be exhausted,’ he explains. ‘Have a rest while we do what we’re trained for.’
Larry steps back with a curt nod, but his eyes are watery.
‘Besides, Larry, we need you to help us with a few of Ivy’s favourite jokes,’ he says, loud enough for Ivy to hear. ‘Keep her spirits up on the way back.’
‘Yes, do tell me a joke, Larry.’ Ivy seems to find this idea incredibly funny until they lift her up and she makes a sharp hiss of pain.
‘Sorry, Ivy, we’ll do our best not to wobble you around too much,’ Bill says.
They begin a steady banter as they make their way down, trying to keep Ivy’s mind off her injured ankle until the fentanyl kicks in. They are moving as quickly as they can in the dark, aware that the cold is intensifying.
At the head of the stretcher, Mike McCallister walks straight-backed and quiet, in contrast to the rest of the team who are making Ivy chuckle with their acerbic comments about one another’s fitness. They swap positions after a while and Danielle takes her turn, relieving Mike, who seems to draw closer to Callum. The atmosphere is uncomfortable, and Callum counts his steps, willing them back to the vehicles. He sends a quick text to Anya. Rescue finished – I’ll collect Georgia on my way home.
When they finally reach the farm, Ivy and Larry are swiftly loaded into the rescue ambulance. As they watch it leave, Danielle comes over to him.
‘Is Georgia running tomorrow?’
He is caught off-guard by the question. ‘I think so, why?’
‘I volunteered to be first-aider, so I guess I’ll see you there.’
He studies her face but he can’t discern any extra meaning behind her words. Had she always planned to do this, or did she volunteer today? He imagines Danielle and Anya in close proximity, and turns away to hide his discomfort. He climbs into the modified Land Rover for the ride back, and she jumps in next to him.
‘If this is going to be awkward,’ she hisses as they shuffle along the bench seat, ‘you could always consider moving teams.’
That gets his attention. He stares at her. Is she really serious? He’s spent over ten years here, has many friends, and has worked his way up to team leader.
‘Is that what you want?’
Danielle leans closer so that her chin almost touches his shoulder. ‘I’m just saying, I’m not the one who’s married, Callum. And if you don’t want your wife to find out anything about us, then perhaps you should think about it.’
Behind them, they hear someone noisily clear their throat.
Mike McCallister has climbed into the small space behind them. ‘I’m getting a lift to the pub,’ he says. He looks between them. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.’
Danielle shrugs. ‘We’re just talking about the school fell-running championships tomorrow. I’m on first aid, and Callum’s daughter is running. She’s a champion runner, isn’t she, Callum?’
Callum thinks of Mike’s son, and the painful rehabilitation he must be enduring as he struggles to walk again. Had Danielle considered that before she said those words? What is she trying to do?
Mike grows serious. ‘My nephew is running as well. The weather doesn’t look great for tomorrow. Tell her to be careful out there.’
‘She’s used to running in different conditions,’ Callum snaps. ‘She’ll be fine.’
McCallister raises his eyebrows and then turns to stare out the window. Callum is embarrassed by the outburst, but nevertheless he can’t bring himself to apologise.
The others join them and the vehicle starts. Callum tunes out of the jokey conversation. His head is swimming. Why does there seem to be a threatening undertone to everyone’s conversation today? Or has he got it all wrong? Perhaps he is closer to the brink than he realises.
21
ANYA