A Soldier's Life

Chapter 30 - Sharing the news

Sophie's POV:

The Thursday lunch time rush had just finished, and I was taking the time to tidy up the space behind the counter ready for the after-school rush in a few hours. The café was doing really well. After the photos of Scarlett being here, there were also photos of Robert visiting when he came to see Y/n and then subsequently when he's visited Ava and I here since she's been away.

We'd gotten so busy I had to hire two more people and I promoted Hannah to assistant manager to help take some of the work load off of me. I loved running the shop, but I actually was most at home behind the counter, chatting with the customers. That was the whole reason I opened this place. I wanted it to be somewhere that people could come and relax and be greeted by a friendly face.

The busy days had helped to make the days go quicker and Y/n was due home this weekend. I couldn't wait to see her again. I missed her annoying ass. She had only been gone for three weeks but it had felt so much longer. She never really had a chance to process everything that happened with Scarlett before being thrust into work like she was. Though knowing Y/n that probably helped her take her mind off of the intrusive thoughts I know she will have been thinking.

After cleaning the coffee machine, I move on to cleaning up the mugs on the drop off counter. I'm distracted by my phone ringing. Without even looking at the caller ID I pick it up, whilst carrying on moving the mugs to the dishwasher.

Sophie: Hello?

???: Hi Soph, it's Jimmy.

My whole body just froze to the spot as my heart dropped. Why is Jimmy calling me?

Sophie: Hi Jimmy, is everything ok?

I asked cautiously, knowing deep down what was about to be said. Please don't be dead. Was all I was thinking as I waited for him to continue talking.

Jimmy: I hate making this call. Y/n has been hurt. She's in a pretty bad way.

My hand flew to my mouth as I dropped the mug in my hand which fell to the floor and smashed. Everyone's attention in the café was on me but I didn't care. Hannah had made her way over to me and instantly saw the worry on my face. She carefully guided me into the office out the back. I composed myself before I speak.

Sophie: What happened? How bad is it?

Jimmy: We came under attack. She was caught in an RPG explosion. She went into cardiac arrest in the field, but they were able to resuscitate her on the way back to the hospital.

I could hear the sadness in Jimmy's voice. I knew he was hurting, and his thoughts are probably focused on Ava right now. Shit, Ava, how do I tell her this?

Sophie: Oh my God. Will she be ok? When will she be coming home?

Jimmy: They've stabilised her and are preparing her for a medical flight within the next hour. She'll arrive in LA around lunch time tomorrow and be transferred to UCLA Medical centre for further surgery and treatment.

Sophie: She needs surgery? Tell me honestly, do they think she's going to make it?

As much as this is causing me pain, I need to know the full truth. I need to be prepared. This isn't just me that has to deal with this. I've got a 6-year-old who could be losing her Mum.

Jimmy: She is still classed as critical condition, but they wouldn't let her fly if she was in immediate danger.

Tears are flowing down my face. Just a few minutes ago I was thinking about her coming home to us at the weekend. Now I don't even know if she is going to make it. She's my best friend.