'Carla, I'm going to need to get in there to have a look at you, I want you to keep very still, I'm sorry if I hurt you, just the gap isn't very big' the paramedic said, realising something serious was wrong.
'Don't hurt her' Peter whispered to him, his eyes pleading.
'I'll try not to, but I need to see her' the paramedic said, an urgency underlying his tone.
Peter kept hold of Carla's hand, as the paramedic gingerly crept into the cramped space surrounding Carla's damaged body.
He crouched over her, gently touching her body.
Carla's cried pierced through Peter's soul. He felt tears stinging his cheeks, almost feeling the pain the she was enduring.
'Where does it hurt?' the paramedic asked.
'My back, my back' Carla moaned, gritting her teeth.
Peter caught sight of the desolate look on the paramedic face.
'What?' Peter asked, straight and forward.
'Peter, what's happening' Carla asked, unable to move her head, so eyes locked on him for answers.
'Carla, I'm a little concerned that you might have broken your spine' the paramedic said, Peter's heart sinking. The paramedic was certain she had, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He managed to creep out of the gap, and Peter pulled at his arm as he want to get a colleague.
'What are you going to do?' Peter said.
The paramedic looked down. 'Sir, it's too difficult to move her, the trauma of moving her would probably kill her, we need to wait for the fire brigade to clear a pathway for us to be able to get to her properly' the paramedic said.
'And what are you doing in the meantime' Peter asked desperately.
'There are other casualties sir, and not many of us, I'll be back' the paramedic said, leaving Peter enraged, and terrified.
…
'Peter, I'm sorry for hounding you' Carla whispered, after what seemed to be an hour of silence.
'Don't you dare apologise' Peter said.
'Don't get tetchy with me' Carla replied.
'Sorry, Carla where were you?' Peter asked.
'I was leaving the Bistro.. I wanted to wish.. I was just leaving the Bistro' Carla said as Peter's heart shattered knowing she was coming to wish him luck for his wedding.
'I'm so sorry, I'm sorry' Peter said.
'It's not your fault Peter.. I'd punch you right now if I could but.. I can't' Carla said, the pain in her back worsening.
She knew she only had a matter of time before her body responded to the pain, by taking her away from it.
'Give it a few days Car, and you'll be kicking and screaming' he chuckled, a tear running down his cheek.
'Peter' Carla said, followed by silence.
''Yeah' he said, the eerier dark quiet getting to him.
'Don't take this the wrong way.. I've said it before like.. but' Carla said trailing off.
'I love you' Peter said, finishing the sentence for her.
'Summat like that' Carla said, her heart aching, desperate to wrap her arms around him.
'No, I really do' Peter said.
'Get lost Peter, I aint some charity case you know' Carla said.
'Don't I know it' Peter said, his thumb caressing the stretch of skin between her thumb and forefinger.