Chapter Text
The time had just hit 2:30am. My usual shift in Tesco, replenishing the non-food aisles and i was on my second break of the evening. My name is Grace Glendenning., I'm 29 and have worked hard to earn money all my life. I dont have any kids, much to the dismay of my mother, who is broody for more grandchildren. I'm the oldest of three; My younger brother Andrew is 25 and has two little boys,Charlie who is 5, and Jamie who is 3, Both of which are spoilt to the teeth by the entire family. Then there is my baby sister, Danielle who is 16, still in school studying her little backside off.
"Graceyyyy~" My co-worker Micheal chimed as he walked through the staffroom doors. "How is Hardlines?" He asked as he made his way over to the table i was sitting at reading the newspaper. Hardlines is the non-food part of the store i work on, which included toys, stationary, household items and such.
"Same old' Micheal, how's the booze?" I asked back at him, shifting my eyes to glance at him before back at my paper.
"Cold, you guys stole the radio so we have no music down our end" Micheal complained and i gave a little smirk closing the newspaper and taking a drink of the tea i had made earlier.
"Hey, now you know how we feel... We never get the music" I told him and he rolled his eyes. Some of the other guys from the food aisles made their way up, which meant my break was now over. I stood from my seat, lifting the cup and finishing the tea, I licked over my lips before heading to the sink to clean the cup. Within minutes i was back on the shop floor heading towards Hardlines where the aisles i had to keep under control. My shift was rather slow and to be quite frank, incredibly dull. Running my hand across my arm to reveal my watch, the time had just hit 7am.
Home time.
I quickly headed to grab my stuff, i clocked out and headed out of the store doors. The sun was out and the gentle breeze hitting my face was nice, so instead of getting a bus home i decided to walk. I ended up taking off my jacket with the sun heating the city up i was overheating a little and needed to cool down. I decided to take the long route through the park, the fresh air and the sun was doing me some good. The sudden cry of desperation filled the air and my head spun around, The first aider in me snapping to attention. I had been trained and qualified as a first aider for about nine years thanks to my job.
"Help! Someone!" A woman cried out, i picked up my pace to a jog heading in the direction of the cries for help, spotting an elderly man on the floor gasping for his breath, The woman was holding him from the side, tears starting to fall as she continued to cry for help. I quickened the pace toa run, the first aider in me taking over, I dropped my bag and coat to the side, quickly scanning the area for dangers, not finding any i knelt down by his side starting my attempt to save this mans life. He was flat on his back now, and had stopped gasping and groaning in pain, I glanced at the woman who was shaking.
"What happened? What's his name?" I asked as i checked him over, She stood back and held her hand over her mouth her eyes filled with fear. I i tapped the man on the shoulders gently while leaning over him from the side.
"His name is Timothy, He's my husband He just collapsed! Please help!" She cried out her hands shaking. She was going into shock, but i had to deal with Timothy first.
"Timothy, im a first aider, if you can hear me open your eyes!" I called out clearly once no reply was given, i glanced at the woman who was watching in fear. "Call an ambulance" I told her and started on Timothy's airways, tilting his head back holding under the chin while i held my ear over his mouth and nose looking down the body checking for breathing. Nothing. CPR. Right. Grace you can do this. The woman was fumbling around getting her phone and next thing i heard as i started compressions on the mans chest, she was on the phone and she was explaining where they where, and what i was doing.
28
29
30
Stop.
Two rescue breaths.
1
2
Back to compressions.
1
2
3
4
I continued the compressions, up to 30, and then the two rescue breaths, and looped it over and over. After about a minute and a half Timothy started breathing on his own, It was shallow, but it was there. Holy shit i just restarted someones heart with CPR. I didn't allow my mind to go into a trance, Timothy was still out cold, after checking everything i rolled him into the recovery position and double checked his Airways, breathing and circulation. The ambulance sirens could be heard heading towards us. I glanced at the lady and she was still shaking and crying. I got up from the floor, my hands shaking from the adrenaline pumping through my body. He walked over and took her by the shoulders.
"Okay i want you to take slow, deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth" I told her and she nodded doing as she was told. I let her go for a second, grabbing my jacket and placing it over her shoulders, she was still shaking, and her crying was still ongoing.
"What of Timothy? Is he going to be okay? Please tell me he's going to be okay" She whimpered and I looked at her, blinking before turning back to the man on the floor. The paramedics drove in through the park and had stopped beside us, a man and two women jumping out of the ambulance to come to their aid. I gave a smile to the paramedic who walked over to me.
"Are you the one who called?" She asked and i shook my head.
"No, Shes the one who called, i just...helped" I told her and she nodded her head. I glanced back at the husband and wife who were both being put into the back of the ambulance. I licked my bottom lip and the paramedic nodded towards me before going around and helping the others. I see my work here is done. I let out a soft sigh, going over and picking my bag up. The woman got into the driver side and started up the sirens before speeding off again, getting the elderly man to the hospital. Right. I pulled the straps over my shoulders, and headed on my way back through he park. Fuck. She took my work jacket. I sighed heavily looking down at the floor, well at least i saved a life. Thats an upside right? Well it would be if he survived. Upon getting home the reality started to set in. My own breathing started to become rapid. I sat myself down on the sofa and lay my head back staring at the ceiling trying to regulate my breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth. After a few moments i was back to normal, my mind racing over everything that had happened not even an hour ago. I saved someones life. Someones husband...Father...son. The thought of having that power, saving someone's life, bringing their heart back... I felt a rush of excitement and wonder. How the fuck did i manage that?
“Good morning grace, how was your shift at work?” My flat mate, Thomas asked, I opened my eyes and nodded my head as i felt the breeze of him walking past me into the kitchen.
“mm..Dull. Boring. Saved someones life though” I stated simply and i seen him double back standing in the doorway looking at me.
“You... saved someone?” He asked and i nodded my head slowly, one again my brain trying to process the information. “Who? Are you okay? Do you want some tea?” He asked and i nodded my head. Tea. Tea would be great.
“Tea, yeah tea would be great actually... “ I mumbled as a response sitting up and feeling slightly dizzy so i lay my head back again. Thomas walked into the kitchen to make us both a cup of tea and no doubt grab his breakfast.
“So who was he?” He repeated himself, walking to the door frame again waiting for the kettle to boil.
“I don't know, some guy named Timothy... His wife was going into shock and i forgot to take my jacket back... I'm going to get killed off my boss” I told him and he raised an eyebrow hearing the kettle click he went back into the kitchen moments after coming back with the cups of tea. He sat down beside me pulling me into a hug after placing the cups down on the coffee table, i gladly cuddled into him. Thomas had been my best friend since we were the age of 6, We've always been there for each other and as soon as we both had jobs, we got a flat to share. We shared a lot of interests too; Like me Thomas liked men, we liked the same films, artists, games, music and such.
“Why will you get killed off him? I thought Craig was nice” Thomas stated and i looked at him a smirk on my face.
“We all know what you think of him, but I've lost my jacket... Thats the fourth time its happened” I told him groaning and closing my eyes curling up into a little ball against my best friend. “I thought you had work today” I mentioned and Tom nodded his head.
“I do, i should be getting ready” He admitted and i sat up pushing him away.
“Goooooo~, Go get ready for work... im going to bed now anyway” I told him and He laughed climbing from the sofa, he helped me up and then passed me my tea. I kissed his cheek taking my tea and carrying it into my bedroom shutting the door behind me. I rested against the back of the door for a few seconds, eyes closed head back resting against the wood. After a few moments i walked over to my bed, and put the cup on my bedside table, before stripping off completely and climbing into my bed, ready for my day of sleeping.