Kylie & Jack 1: Humble Beginnings

49. You're Not Alone

Thursday, 20th June

2:47 PM

Ryan Willett was on his way back to the workshop when he noticed the work vehicle was almost empty. Ringing his boss, Johnno, Ryan explained he would be fifteen minutes late because he needed to stop by at the servo on Simpson Street to fuel up.

"Yeah look mate, ya bloody ute's runnin' on an empty tank, so I'm gonna fuel her up and be back. Shouldn't be any more than fifteen max –" Ryan explained, stalled at the T–intersection and waiting for the passing traffic to go so he could pull up at the bowser.

When he pulled into the servo, he couldn't stop himself from yelling out, "you fuckin' beauty!" to see no line of waiting vehicles. He grabbed the diesel pump and began to fuel up without checking the price. Not that it would matter – Johnno would hit the roof anyway, the tight–fisted old bastard hated to spend anything more than the absolutely necessary – and somehow, that didn't extend to reimbursing his staff when they fuelled up the work vehicles or – as had happened to Ryan and two others over the years – paying for their medical expenses after on–the–job injuries.

So, eighty–nine dollars later, Ryan was cursing under his breath and getting louder as he stuffed the docket into his wallet, climbed back into the ute and pulled out of the servo, to wait for a break in the relentless traffic.

"Aw for fuck's sake mate, hurry the fuck up! Jesus Christ, don't fucking slow down!" Ryan cursed watching the cars, utes, trucks and buses pass by. Looking to his left, then his right, he began to inch closer to the road.

He looked left again ... then to his right ...

It was safe to turn ...

3:24 PM

Her hands were shaking as she dialled the third number, praying she wouldn't get another voicemail message ... her heart was in her throat and when she heard the third voicemail tone, stifled a scream of panic, dropping her phone ...

3:26 PM

Kylie had left her phone on the desk as she went outside to the toilet. When she returned, noticed she had a missed call.

Scooping up her phone, she returned the call and just as she sat down in front of her laptop, waiting for an answer.

"Hey! What's –" Kylie started to say, half paying attention at first. Then her voice died in her throat. All she could hear were frantic, loud, shuddering sobs.

"Oh fuck – Loz! Loz, what's happened?"

"... Ry ..." Loz's voice was unrecognisable under the heavy flood of tears.

"Loz, where are you?"

"... at t–the h–hospital –"

"– I'll be there in ... forty minutes, ok? Hang tight, mate." Kylie said quickly, hanging up, grabbing her bag and running into the corridor and yelling over her shoulder at Jack that they had to go.

"What?" Jack yelled back and copped an ear bashing from the back steps.

"WE GOTTA GO, NOW! PULL YOUR FINGER OUT!"

Linda stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised in curiosity. Jack ran out of his room, slinging his bag over his shoulder and shrugged at Linda.

"I'm sure it's important, whatever it is –"

"– JAMES!" Kylie yelled from somewhere outside. Jack pointed to the door and made his hasty exit, Linda watching on in curious, silent amusement.

Outside, Jack ran to catch up to Kylie, keys and phone in hand and shouting at him that she was driving. Huffing to a stop, Jack stared at her with his eyebrows raised.