The other side of the world (Bondi Rescue Fanfic)

Chapter 4 - Help needed

Shannon wasn't sure what was going on as it all happened so fast.

She was spun around as she felt something pull on the bag strap over her shoulder. She quickly realised that it was a man trying to pull her bag off her and for some stupid reason she decided to try and hang onto it.

"Give me the bag" The man shouted as he kept pulling at her

"No way" yelled Shannon "HELP PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP" She shouted

"Just let go you stupid bitch" snarled the man as he hit her right across her face. At this point, everything went blurry and moved in slow motion for Shannon as she fell to the ground. She could hear shouting and as she tried to open her eyes she could make out about 3 or 4 people in blue shirts pinning the mugger to the floor.

"Hey English, you ok?" Asked Maxi as his face appeared in front of hers "That bag of yours must be pretty special for you to hang on like that" he said as he helped her sit up.

"Are you ok, do you feel dizzy or anything like that" asked Kailan as he appeared next to her looking concerned.

"My face is throbbing like mad" replied Shannon as she tried to stand up and wobbled

"Woah take it easy" said Kailan as he grabbed her waist to support her "Lean on me ok, do you think you can make it to the tower?" he asked

"Yeah, I feel really dizzy though" replied Shannon weakly.

By this time, police had already arrived and had the mugger handcuffed and ready to take to the station.

"Please don't disappear just yet madam I need to take a statement" said a young female police officer.

"I'll take her over to the tower and check her over, we'll probably keep her there a while anyway so just come over when you need her" Kailan told the officer.

As Shannon made her way slowly across the sand with Kailan's help her face started to really hurt and weirdly she started to feel cold. Once inside the tower Kailan helped Shannon onto a chair and put a jacket around her shoulders while Whippet appeared next to her with a cup in his hand.

"Careful, it's hot" smiled Whippet "Thought I better make you a proper English cuppa"

"Thanks" smiled Shannon as she took the hot tea from him and looked round at the four concerned faces looking at her. They were immediately joined by another lifeguard who Shannon recognised was called Hoppo.

"C'mon guys, give her a bit of room, she's just had a shock and doesn't need to be looking at your ugly mugs" Said Hoppo as he winked at Shannon. "Coppers are asking if you're up to giving a statement?" asked Hoppo

"Um, yeah, sure" croaked Shannon "Better get it over with now I suppose"

The young female officer appeared at the door and smiled at Shannon as she sat down next to her. Shannon told her what she could, the truth being she had no idea who the mugger was or how long he had been watching her. The first she knew was when he tried to take her bag and after that was still a bit of a blur. Kailan, Whippet and Maxi then told how they had heard Shannon shout for help and then made their way over. They had got there just as the mugger had hit Shannon, they had tackled him to the ground and pinned him down waiting for the Police to arrive. The officer reckoned she had everything she needed and assured Shannon there was probably no need for her to give evidence as it turned out the mugger was hopefully going to admit to the attack plus several other bag thefts in the area. When the officer had gone Hoppo looked at his watch

"Well it's half an hour to pack up so I am gonna go and trust you idiots to finish off ok" said Hoppo looking serious "Don't mess it up, oh and make sure Shannon gets home safe ok"

"Oh don't worry about me" Said Shannon standing up "Honestly, you lot have already done so much to help me"

"Not negotiable I'm afraid, that's the plan so that's what is happening" said Hoppo sternly "and please don't let it put you off our beach" He added with a smile

"I won't" Shannon smiled back as they all shouted bye to Hoppo and he left the tower.

"Right, let's get pack up started then fellas, then I think a drink is in order" said Whippet as he put his Hoody on and grabbed a bunch of keys. "I'll go get the signs in, who's helping?"

"Oh go on then" said Maxi pulling a face and fastening up his hoody. Shannon watched Whippet and Maxi drive along the sand bringing in flags and signs while Jesse and Kailan switched everything off in the tower and started to pull shutters down. They all made their way outside and Kailan asked Shannon where she was staying and how far away it was.

"It's less than 5 minutes walk, really I'll be fine" replied Shannon as the guys all protested loudly – there was absolutely no way they were going to let her walk home alone.

"I'm heading that way anyway" said Kailan "So how about I just walk you back and then you boys can go straight to the pub and get that drink you wanted"

"You not coming for a beer mate?" asked Whippet

"Can't tonight mate, promised Pops I'd go fishing but I am definitely up for a few tomorrow" Promised Kailan.

They all gave Shannon a hug and made her promise to visit them at the beach soon. Kailan and Shannon waved goodbye to the others and started walking. They chatted about England and what Shannon and her friends were doing in Australia and Shannon asked him what bars and restaurants he would suggest they go to.....and avoid. Before Shannon knew it they were outside the big house that she and her friends were renting.

"Well this is me" Said Shannon slowing down to a stop

"Very fancy" laughed Kailan

"Thanks again for everything" mumbled Shannon as she looked down at the floor awkwardly.

"Hey it's not a problem" he smiled "Promise me you won't let it put you off the beach though, I expect to see you back down there soon ok" Shannon looked up at him and smiled back and seeing something out the corner of her eye glanced over at the house to see Darren waving manically from one of the windows, only to be pushed away and very obviously told off by Rachel and she tried to stifle a giggle.

"We will be in the bar across from the lifeguard tower tomorrow after work, why don't you come down, with your mates if you like of course and have a drink with us?" Kailan said while taking off his baseball cap, smoothing his hair down and putting the cap back on smiling at her "Let us prove that Bondi really is quite safe"

"Well I definitely need to buy you all a thank you drink anyway so sounds good" Replied Shannon

"Cool, you're on, we will probably be down there from about 7 so hopefully see you there" he grinned as he gave her a hug goodbye. As Shannon waved goodbye to him and turned back towards the house Rachel, Darren, Tristan and Jamie were now all grinning at her through the downstairs window. Shannon shook her head and laughed as she walked through the front door.

"Who in the holy hell was that" Shrieked Tristan

"And what the hell are you wearing" asked Jamie as he touched the blue Bondi lifeguard jacket Shannon now realised she was still wearing.

"Oh god I forgot I was wearing it" sighed Shannon "It's a long story so someone make me a brew and I will tell you everything"