The Draw

26

Stacey had just ran herself a nice hot bath after a hard day of learning. She had started her the second year of her university course, Evie was fast asleep and Liam was away. It had been tough getting them back into the term time routine. She picked Evie up from nursery and had to juggle dinner, the washing, bathtime, bedtime and studying. But it was Friday night and she just wanted to soak and relax. The door bell rang.

She checked her watch. It was 9pm. Rather late at night for house guests. She ignored it. It was probably a neighbour wanting to borrow something.

She poured the bubble bath into the flow of steaming water and watched, mesmerised as the water turned pink and was over run by bubbles. The door bell rang out again and went ignored once more. It was one of the few things she hated about living around here, bloody nosey neighbours. At least when she'd lived in Maidstone, the only time the door went was when she owed money. She loved her neighbours, some of them had children Evie's age and called round for coffee a few times a week. But not this late on a Friday.

After a couple of minutes the bath was almost ready. She slipped off her jeans, shirt and underwear and perched on the edge of the bath with her feet in the hot water, enjoying the sensation of the running water over her toes. There was suddenly an almighty banging at the door which made her jump.

'What the hell?!' She cursed. Whoever it was clearly thought their presence was more important than Stacey's bath. She was worried they would wake her daughter. She threw on her silken dressing gown and ran down the stairs. With Liam being away she would normally never dream of opening the door at night. But this persons persistence had gotten the better of her curiosity.

'I do hope this is important-' she began as she swung open the door. Her breath was knocked away as she realised who it was. 'Woody? What? What are you...?'

'Stace, it's Dan. He's been hurt and he asked for you.' He was out of breath himself, flustered and shaken.

'Hurt? How? Me?' Why would Dan ask for her? The last time they'd spoken a year ago it hadn't exactly ended well. And the time before that..well, that's was best forgotten. But regardless of that, she hoped he was ok. Surely he'd only ever ask for her if he was....

'He was in a car accident. He's really ill Stacey. I got there as they pulled him out and all he could say was that he needed you. Oh god. I didn't know how to find you, I've been ringing people for hours...'

'Ok.' Was all she could say. She needed a moment. 'Come in, wait here, I'll be right back.'

She bolted up the stairs to the bedroom, threw on some clothes and gently lifted Evie. She was getting so big now. She had just had her third birthday and was becoming a real little person with very strong opinions and dislikes. One of those was waking up.

She was half way down the stairs within a minute but ran back up when she remembered her bath was still running. She awkwardly turned off the tap whilst trying not to wake her little girl.

She saw the shock on Woody's face when he realised what was in her arms. She didn't say anything.

'My car. I need the car seat.' He followed her out, she tossed him the keys and he opened the back door for her. It was a miracle that Evie didn't wake as she was strapped in. 'I need to drop her off at my mums. Can you drive please?'

She directed him the ten minutes down the road to her mums, having rung to warn her she was coming. She didn't say why but that she would explain when she got there. When they pulled up, her mum was waiting on the drive way.

'Stacey?' Mum asked. She had noticed Woody driving, but probably wasn't sure who he was, only that it wasn't Liam.

'Dans been in an accident. He's asked for me.'