Page 49 of The Missus

‘What did she say?’ Keira said. But her breathing seemed a little off. Shallow.

‘Well, she said, that you… er…’

Keira breathed raggedly. ‘What? Just say it,’ she said. But each word sounded strained and oddly quiet. Alanna realised Keira was having an asthma attack.

‘Keira, where’s your inhaler?’

Keira drew in a ragged breath. She checked her pockets. ‘I…’ She coughed. ‘…forgot… it.’

‘I’m calling an ambulance,’ Alanna said, taking out her phone.

‘No… no… I just… need…’

Alanna was already dialling the emergency services. ‘I need an ambulance, please. My friend is having an asthma attack.’

‘No, don’t…’ Keira wheezed as people around them were starting to notice.

Ed appeared. ‘Is she alright?’

‘Asthma attack. Is there anything you can do?’ Alanna said, remembering Ed was a surgeon.

‘She’ll need medication and a nebuliser. Have you called an ambulance?’ Ed asked.

‘It’s on its way.’

‘Good.’ He grabbed a chair. ‘Let’s get you sat down, first off. Even standing is an effort, isn’t it?’

Keira nodded as Ed grabbed a garden chair and placed Keira in it. Alanna was relieved to hear a siren nearby. Help was coming.

Twenty

Keira had never been so mortified in all her time on planet Earth. If the asthma didn’t end up finishing her off, she might die of embarrassment.

She was lying on a gurney in A+E, a nebuliser over her mouth. Breathing was less of a trial now. She didn’t know what the hell had brought on such an intense attack, but she thought maybe there was something in the garden that caused her lungs to shut up shop. Keira had read about plants that were capable of triggering asthma attacks. It must have been that.

‘How are we doing?’ asked the doctor.

‘Much better, thank you, Dr Carmichael,’ she said from underneath the nebuliser. Keira spotted Alanna hovering in the hallway and she felt anger rise. She turned away from her, suddenly noticing that Dr Carmichael was a fitty, hot in that stormy-eyed way. Looking at her was as good as the medicine. ‘Hey, you wanna get a drink later?’

The woman arched an amused eyebrow. ‘Sorry, I’m taken.’

‘Damn. Maybe I could give you my number in case you ever free up?’

Dr Carmichael gave her an admonishing look. ‘Maybe just concentrate on breathing, Miss Evans.’

‘Keira. Though you can call me anything you like.’

The doctor sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘I’m sure I will.’

Good god, what the hell was Keira playing at, sleazing aggressively on the professional trying to take care of her? It wasn’t her style.Leave the damn doctor alone, you horn dog.

Alanna walked in at last. ‘Hi. You feeling better?’

Keira gave her a long look before she replied. ‘Yep.’

Alanna looked very nervous. ‘Good.’

Dr Carmichael glanced between them and seemed to know something was up. ‘Right, I’m leaving now.’