The Lie of the Land (2/2) By Steve Rudd

(1/2), (2/2).

I guess I must have sounded somewhat like the guy with whom she presumed to be talking. She certainly gave no indication that she knew I was an imposter. 'It's Bradley,' she gasped, struggling for breath. 'What about him?' I asked, proud of myself for being so deceitful. 'He's been involved in a car accident and has been rushed into hospital. The doctors don't think he's going to make it. Oh, Richard... I don't know what to do. I'm going out of my mind. I know we've had our differences, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I need you here with me right now.'

Struggling to suppress an outburst of laughter, I blurted out that I'd get to the hospital as soon as I could. In times of grief we all need a shoulder to cry on, even if it does belong to a stranger.

I asked which hospital he'd been taken to, committing its name and location to memory. Then, before I had chance to glean any more details, the phone comically died. Thumping its keypad with my fist, vying to resuscitate the device, I was glad that I had the chance to potentially help somebody in a time of crisis - even if I hadn't the foggiest idea what the woman was called... or who I was supposed to be.

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