Into the Woods

The Black Tabby

The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. It was the only thing driving me out of bed. I remembered my foot and tried to wiggle it gently back in circles to stretch the ankle out. It hurt but no doubt felt better than last night.

I grabbed onto the bed post and pulled myself out and stood up on my right foot. I then tested my bad foot, I slowly patted it onto the floor with as much weight as it could withstand. I was able stand on it but there was still no way I could walk yet.

I sighed and sat back down on my bed. I thought of all the possible explanations of what I could tell Grams. I thought about telling her I fell out of bed, or what if I faked a fall in front of her? Maybe I could tell her I felt ill or that it suddenly starting hurting.

Then I heard a knock on my door followed by a voice. 'Breakfast's ready Charlotte.' Grams said sweetly through the door. I had to think of an excuse fast. I hopped over to the dresser opposite me and grabbed a book. I threw it to the floor and screamed 'ouch!' I then sat down quickly and grabbed my foot in case Grams came running in fast.

Sure enough she rushed my room, her natural hot chocolate aroma enlightening my senses. 'What happened sweetie? What's hurt?' She bent down and starting rubbing my foot where I held it.
'Let go, let me see.' She said calmly. I reluctantly let go to reveal the humongous multicoloured bruise. Luckily it had gone down a lot but it seemed unbelievable.

'Oh my goodness.' She said in shock. 'I'll call a doctor, stay calm I'm sure it's fine.' She said reassuringly but panicking. I nodded going along with what she said. She went downstairs to go use the phone. Seconds later Taylor walked up the stairs and peered into my room. I avoided his gaze and gave him a look that said 'go away'. He walked straight on by to his own room munching on some toast smugly.

Minutes later Grams came back up and told me the doctor would be here in around ten minutes. I reacted like any injured person would and tried to remain calm. Deep down I was questioning my life up until this point figuring out why I didn't just try and hide the fact my foot was broken or something and I could have said it was twisted instead.

'Can you walk on it? Try standing up, here I'll help you.' She went to grab my arm and pulled me up. I leant onto Grams and the dresser next to me and slowly put my foot down on the floor like I did this morning. I told her the pain level was ok but I couldn't walk. This was partly true.

Later on when the doctor arrived he came up to my room seeing as I could barely make it past my door to go down the stairs. He checked me over including taking my temperature and heart rate. He felt around my foot and ankle and came to the conclusion it was a minor fracture and it would just need to be rested. Grams seemed relieved but dissatisfied that he would give me no boot or crutches.

As the doctor was leaving I tried to walk out of my room to say my thanks but I heard Grams and him talking to each other suspiciously.
'Are you sure she only did it this morning? That bruise to me seems very sudden and the pain should be a little worse than it is considering.' He questioned my Grandmother.
She folded her arms and said crossly, 'yes I'm sure, I heard her do it.'
'But you didn't see this happen?' Grams looked annoyed.
'No but she wouldn't lie.' She defended me. I felt guilt travel up my throat and I gulped. I turned back round to face my door and make my way back to my room and I saw Taylor peering out of his to listen to the action. I stuck my eyebrow up at him and he ignored me with a slight look of regret on his face.

I rested back down on my bed and waited for Grams to return. Once she got back she asked me a question. 'You sure all you did was trip over your foot?'
I hesitated. 'Yeah, I mean you heard it right?' She smiled at me thankfully. She turned round to leave the room but stopped when she reached the door. She picked up the towel that was left under the coats over night.
'It's soaked.' She said confused. I gulped thinking of an excuse for it.
'Oh sorry, I must have forgotten to put that back into the bathroom after drying my hair yesterday.' I lied to her face.
'Alright.' She said reluctantly and pulled the door handle to exit but stopped again. She looked up at the door.
'And what's Taylor's coat doing here? And yours too, they should be in the shoe cupboard downstairs.
I shrugged, 'must have forgotten to put it away, maybe he left it here accidentally.'
She picked them up off the hanger, 'how are they already damp?' She murmured to herself with disgust. With that she left the room to go interrogate Taylor.