Language of Love

Chapter 36 - Refresher Training

August was rushing by. Abi had been doing less volunteering on the beach recently. Her time taken up with her teaching, own language learning and an advanced first aid course.

The lifeguards had begun their induction week ready for the Summer Season to begin. A few of the camera crew had arrived and were filming parts of the induction week. Cameras were being refitted to rescue boards, the tower and the rhinos.

Abi was joining the guys for their CPR and spinal refresher training today at the Icebergs. As she entered the room she was nearly knocked over by a double attack from Maxi and Troy as they pounced on her from either side of the door, making her scream in surprise.
"Fuck sake!" She said, as the room filled with laughter. "Scare me to death after you've had your refresher training would you?"
Troy slung an arm over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her head.
"Missed you Abs."
"It's only been 2 days." Chappo fake whispered to Whippet, making sure he was loud enough for all around him to hear. "The way he's been sulking you'd think she'd gone back to England instead of swatting for a Japanese exam."
"I love that she put her foot down and banished him for 2 days. Girls got her priorities sorted." Whippet responded. "How'd the exam go Bambi?"
"Alright, I think. I'm more worried about the first aid exam."
"Today's gonna help with that. And if Maxi can pass it, you can." Box joined the conversation.
"Oy!" Maxi exclaimed.

The trainer, an advanced care paramedic called Norm, clearly had the guys respect as they quieted quickly when he asked them to take a seat. He quizzed them on procedures for resuscitation, then modelled the correct process and use of the defib before splitting them into groups.

Abi gathered around a dummy with Troy, Beardy and Matty. All 3 grinned as they gestured for her to go first. Troy corrected her position.
"Push harder." Beardy advised. Abi hated the clunking sound the dummy made as she compressed its chest. She shuddered at the thought of it being someone's ribs. By the time they swapped her arms ached.

When they paused for a break Troy drew her aside.
"Saw your face when you were doing CPR. You sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah. I mean....I'd rather not but it's better to know what to do if I had to. There's a real chance I could be one of the first on scene when I'm on the beach. I want to be able to help."
"'Kay babe." He pulled her into a gentle kiss.
"No PDA when you're working." Box called from across the room.
"We're on break." Abi shouted back and pulled Troy in for another, less gentle, kiss. Wolf whistles erupted around the room and Troy pulled away blushing but unable to hide a smug grin.

Spinal training came next. Norm asked for a volunteer to be the spinal victim.
"I'll do it." Abi volunteered.
"No!" Came a chorus of emphatic voices. Abi looked puzzled.
"None of us ever wanna have to
put you on a board again Bambi." Maxi said.
"Oh!" Abi said quietly. "Sorry."
Troy reached over and ran his hand gently over her scar, now hidden by her hair. She'd noticed he did that sometimes, as if to reassure himself that she was healed now.

In the end Max A, the new recruit who Abi hadn't met yet, was volunteered for the role. After the demonstration they were split into groups to practise. Abi found herself with Whippet, Box, Reidy, Danny and Kailan. Danny was given the role of victim and Abi supported his head. She was holding him securely when a memory of hands on her head and reassuring voices broke through.
"Bambi. You okay?" Danny asked as her hands let go of his head and she seemed to stare down at him but not see him.
She shook herself. "Yeah. I
...uhhhh. I just need a minute." She turned abruptly and left the room.

Escaping the room Abi slid down the wall in the corridor and fought to breath through the tight feeling in her chest. A warm body sat beside her and a comforting hand rested on top of her own.
"Breath with me Abs." Troy's voice was calm and quiet beside her. "In and out." He took her hand and squeezed and released it in time with his breathing. Slowly, her own breathing calmed to match his. They sat in silence for a while, just breathing.
"What happened?" He eventually asked. Abi leant against his arm, wrapping her own around it tightly.
"I think I had a flashback to my accident. I suddenly remembered hands holding my head and Maxi and Bisho talking to me."
Troy pressed his forehead to her hair.
"The Doctors said it might happen eventually."
"It just threw me. I'm okay now."
"You sure Abs?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
"Abs. There's nothing to be sorry for. Do you know how amazing you are? You're so strong."
"I just had a panic attack Troy. That's not being strong."
"It is. You had a flashback to a traumatic event but you've already pulled yourself outta it. You had a brain injury but didn't once stop fighting to get better. That's strength Abs."
"I couldn't have done it without you."
"We're a team Abs. You've shared your strength with me when I've struggled and I've done the same for you."
"Can I borrow some more of your strength to get up and get back in that room?" She murmured.
Troy squeezed her arm gently, then rose to his feet and offered her his hand, pulling her to her feet.
"Ready?"
Abi nodded and they returned to the room hand in hand.

The buzz of voices quieted slightly as they entered but quickly picked up again. The guys giving her grace and acting like nothing had happened, except that Max A had moved over to Whippets group, leaving space for Abi to join Troy's team. Tom, Terry and Deano smiled as she joined them and Yatesy, strapped to the board, wiggled his fingers at her in an attempt at a wave. She smiled shakily in response. Norm stepped up to them and quietly said.
"You're welcome to just observe."
"I'm fine." Abi responded, her jaw set stubbornly. Troy gave the paramedic a small nod of reassurance. Norm shrugged and moved on to the next group.

Abi worked with the guys to lift the board. Yatesy apologising for all the cake he claimed to have eaten recently made Abi give a real smile. He grinned back at her with a wink.