Chapter 1.
I woke up on my eighteenth birthday feeling sick. The feeling stayed with me all morning, right up until I was sat across the table from my boyfriend.
"What's wrong? You seem really nervous," said Luke.
"There's… there's something we need to talk about, Luke."
"Tell me," he said, reaching out for my hand. I looked over at the bar, agonized. I felt awful. What was I thinking?
"It's just not working anymore."
"What do you mean? We're happy, aren't we?"
"Well, that's just it, Luke. I don't think I am."
"We'll work it out, Prue. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it."
"It's too late. I don't feel anything for you. I'm sorry. I don't love you. My feelings aren't there the way they should be."
"You're breaking up with me? You're going to throw this all away? It's been five months, Prue. How long have you been like this? I don't get it… wait. Is there someone else? Have you met somebody?" said Luke.
"It's over, Luke. I'm sorry but I have to go." I said, getting up from the table and gathering my things.
"Prue, please."
"I hope you find someone else. Someone who can give you what I can't. Bye, Luke."
I left him sitting there in the pub, tears in his eyes. But he followed me.
"Prue, give me another chance. Give us another chance. I love you,"
"Let me go," I said, my walk turning into a run. I could hear his footsteps slow down behind me. The rain splashed under my boots as I ran right over the kerb, not concentrating. I rushed into the road. A squeal of brakes. A loud honk of a car horn. I gasped, the wind knocked out of me as I was thrown over the car bonnet. And everything went black.
I woke up to blinding lights, worried faces and a stiff body. I tried to turn my neck, but a sharp pain screamed at me. I cried out, tears springing into my eyes. I focused on my mother's face, tears running down her cheeks. Her hair was limp, her eyes red. She clasped my hand and squeezed gently. I swallowed, trying to coax my chapped lips into a smile.
"What happened?" I asked, clearing my throat.
"You were hit by a car, love. You were asleep for two days."
I frowned.
"I was praying you'd wake – we all were," said Mum, and that's when I noticed my sister Grace and Dad. They drew up seats beside Mum. Dad sat silently, a deep furrow between his eyebrows. He didn't reach out for me, but there were tears in his eyes. Grace was sniffing and wiping her face.
"Oh Prue, thank God you're OK. I was so scared you'd… you know."
I tried to smile but winced instead. I sighed, trying to move my right hand, and felt a rush of relief. I was stiff but not paralysed. I wiggled my toes.
"The doctors say you're very lucky. You didn't suffer any permanent damage to your spine. But you're bruised, so you'll need plenty of rest." said Mum. I looked at Dad.
"You're very quiet," I said.
"Well, I'm hardly going to be talking for England right now, am I?"
"Bernard," said Mum, lightly slapping him on the arm.
"What were you doing, running out into the road like that? You could've been killed."
"Bernard, will you stop that! You're upsetting Prue." said Mum.
Grace wiped her nose with a scraggly tissue. "Where's Luke, Prue? I thought he'd be here."
All three of them stared at me. Guilt stabbed me in the stomach. Was my being in hospital right now some sick karma for breaking Luke's heart?
"I broke up with him, just before I got hit."
"Oh no, Prue. I'm so sorry love." said Mum, patting my hand.
"Good riddance." said Dad.
"Dad!" said Grace.
"That boy was as dull as ditch water. You're better off without him. Only the best for our Prue." said Dad. Mum looked at Dad anxiously, then me.
"I just want you to be happy. You know we'll always be here no matter what happens." she said.
Dad stood up. "I'm going to get a coffee downstairs. Grace, you can come with me. Help me choose something decent for your sister."
Grace nodded, and they both left the ward.
Mum moved her chair closer to me, gently moving the hair out of my eyes.
"Prue, you spoke in your sleep last night. You were calling someone's name. And, er, I probably needn't say, but it wasn't your ex boyfriend's name."
"What did I say?"
"Well, you kept saying "Rax". Saying that you needed him."
I felt my cheeks burning. But I held her gaze.
"Mum, I need you to do something for me. I need you to contact Wentworth High School and find Mr Raxberry."