Under the Bridges Read Online Free Page B

dwarfing the small knot of people who had gathered when they heard the police sirens. One of the policemen gently shepherded the small group back to the pavement.
    As Nancy and Jenny paused, craning upwards to see what was happening above, Nancy was aware of muted voices around them.
    â€˜Someone’s hurt.’
    â€˜Hope it’s no’ badly.’
    â€˜A man falling from that height—he’d have little chance.’
    Jenny drew her friend away from the group of women who had gathered at the roadside.
    â€˜Ghouls,’ she whispered. ‘There’s some only want to be there to watch what’s going on.’
    Nancy turned round and caught a glimpse of Maisie Liddle—she worked behind the counter of a nearby sweet shop, and was known for her enjoyment of a good gossip. Nancy didn’t know her well, but she’d often been in the shop.’
    Sometimes, on her way to work, she’d popped in to The Chocolate Box to buy a treat for Jenny, who had a sweet tooth.
    The last time Maisie had leaned over the counter.
    â€˜I saw your girl. On my way to the bingo. All that black eye make-up. Like a panda! I wouldn’t let a girl of mine out like that. And she was with a boy.’
    * * *
    Nancy had said nothing in reply but quickly paid for the chocolate and left the shop.
    How dare she come and stare now? How dare she make an entertainment out of someone else’s distress?
    Brushing aside Jenny’s arm, she stumbled towards Maisie, knowing she was here to find out what she could about the accident, and no doubt retell the news in the shop with all kinds of details added.
    â€˜You . . .’ Nancy began.
    The older woman in the thick tweed coat and woollen headscarf turned round.
    â€˜Oh, it’s you, Mrs Mackay,’ she murmured, and Nancy couldn’t help noticing that Maisie’s face was white and the usual bright orange lipstick was hurriedly applied. She looked shaken and anxious.
    Maisie grasped Nancy by the arm.
    â€˜I know you’ve a laddie up there. And so have I—it’s my sister’s boy.’ Her voice trembled. ‘Rose is in hospital—I don’t know how to tell her if anything’s happened to Jackie. He’s only ninteen, and a great lad. He was saving up to buy his mother one of these new transistors.’
    Nancy felt suddenly ashamed.
    â€˜The same age as my boy,’ she said. ‘We must just hope they’re safe.’
    â€˜They’ve a good safety record on the bridge.’ Jenny joined them. ‘There must be someone we can ask. I’ll try to find out.’
    She hurried away and Nancy stood silently watching as an ambulance drew up by the roadside, wishing Matt had wanted to serve his time as an electrician, or a joiner . . . safe in a workshop somewhere.
    But she knew it was too late for regrets. Only a month ago, Matt had come home with the news that the cable spinning was finished. The last wires had been carried across the river. She remembered Walter once telling them that there was enough wire to stretch one and a quarter times round the equator. How they’d all joked and tried to imagine the wire going right round the earth.
    * * *
    But it was no laughing matter now. Oh, if only Matt wasn’t up there, maybe hurt, maybe scared—maybe . . . But she wouldn’t let herself think about that.
    â€˜One of the welders,’ young Kenny had said. She caught herself up—if it wasn’t Matt, it would be someone else’s boy.
    She could hardly bear the waiting. Then Jenny appeared, hurrying through the crowd.
    â€˜Here he is, your Mr Logan.’
    Nancy felt a sudden chill as the tall figure of the foreman moved quickly through the crowd towards her.
    â€˜Oh, Walter—’ she cried out. ‘Is it Matt? Is he all right?’
    â€˜There now, Mrs Mackay.’ He put a reassuring hand on her arm. ‘Matt’s all right.’
    â€˜Oh, thank heavens!’ Nancy