Hanging By A Thread

Joseph spun round, as he did so, he felt sick. He watched, in horror as the car which had ploughed into Jac drove off without stopping. His world seemed to stop as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Joseph was numb, his legs refused to move, he stood like a statue for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality it was only a few seconds. He suddenly snapped into action. Joseph ran over to Jac, who's body was twisted and limp, and apparently lifeless. Joseph knelt down beside Jac, and felt frantically on her neck for a pulse. There wasn't one. He immediately starts doing CPR.

JOSEPH: Come on Jac, don't do this to me! COME ON, stay with me, breath for me. Breaths firmly into her mouth four times. You're not leaving, you're a fighter. . He breaths. Joseph repeats this 6 times. Please God this can't be happening!

Louise comes running over.

LOUISE: Joseph! I'll get a trolley, is she breathing?

JOSEPH: No I can't find a pulse, we need to hurry up, she's also got severe abdominal bleeding.

Joseph and Louise lift Jac very carefully onto the trolley,leaving behind a large pool of blood on the tarmac. Joseph places an oxygen mask onto Jac, keeping a steady rhythm with his hands, as he pumps Jac with oxygen. They wheel Jac through the automatic doors. Joseph checks again for a pulse. To his immense relief he finds a very faint, but definite pulse.

JOSEPH: She's back I can feel a very weak pulse. We need to get her into theatre, and fast!

Ric Griffin sees them.

RIC: What the hell has happened? He looks down and realises the patient is Jac Naylor.

JOSEPH: Jac's been involved in a hit and run, she has abdominal injuries as well as possible head trauma. Joseph was doing his best to sound calm, but he felt like his voice was betraying how he truely felt, utterly terrified.

RIC: I'll take over now, Louise can assist me. We need to act quickly.

JOSEPH: I'd rather be in theatre I need to make sure she's going to be OK.

RIC: You're in no fit state to do this operation, you've just had a major shock.

JOSEPH: I can do this, I know I-

Louise puts her hand gently, but firmly on Joseph's shoulder.

LOUISE: Joseph Ric's right, we need to give Jac every chance possible chance. Louise starts to walk away.

JOSEPH: Look after her, please?

LOUISE: We will, try not to worry.

Joseph has tears in his eyes. As he watches Ric and Louise disappear behind the theatre doors. He looks down at his hands. For the first time he realises both of them are shaking badly. He startles as he feels a hand on him. He turns round and sees Elliot Hope.

ELLIOT: I've just heard about Jac's accident, I'm so sorry Joseph, if there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask.

JOSEPH:(Shakes his head slowly). It's all my fault... Breaks down in tears. Elliot takes a distraught Joseph to his office, and shuts the door.

ELLIOT: You can't blame yourself, you do know that don't you? At least you were there, you helped Jac when she needed you.

JOSEPH: If I hadn't been there, she wouldn't be in theatre now, fighting for her life! We were arguing you see. Jac had been doing what she does best. Getting me wound up, reminding me what a failure I am. I was so angry I walked away, turned my back on her. Like everyone else. I hated her. She then told me that she loved me! Just before that I said she was emotionally dead. The truth is: I thought I hated Jac, especially after everything she has put me, and my family through.

ELLIOT: Sometimes it is only through adversity that we then realise what we are looking for.

JOSEPH: But it may be too late. Looks down as fresh tears start to fall. Elliot puts his arm around Joseph.

ELLIOT: You must stay positive Joseph, you can't afford to think the worst.

Joseph stares straight ahead.

JOSEPH: I can't lose her Elliot, not now...