Chapter Text
Nicky still thought that the school bus was driving slow and given he was the last kid to be dropped off on Fridays, it only proved his theory about a slow bus ride.
Nicky couldn’t wait to see Miss Rosa, because every Friday they would bake cakes and coke meals together, so Booker also had something to eat when he returned home around midnight. Miss Rosa would also help Nicky with his homework before they would watch their favorite tv-show while eating dinner. Then in the evenings, Miss Rosa would often take Nicky with her to see a musical in The West End or a movie at the cinema.
When Nicky got off the school bus, he made his way down the hallway to the last flat on the right.
“Miss Rosa?” Nicky said after knocking on the door. “I still think I’m right about the slow bus driver.”
Nicky got nervous when he didn’t get a reply as usual.
“Miss Rosa?” Nicky asked again when he heard a noise coming from the bathroom.
“Oh Nicky,” Miss Rosa said. “Am I glad to see you.”
“Is there something wrong?” Nicky wanted to know as he started to rub his arm nervously.
“Give me your hand, Nicky,” Miss Rosa said and Nicky took her hand. “Come sit down next to me.”
Nicky sat down next to Miss Rosa, who leaned their heads together to calm him.
“I need your help,” Miss Rosa said. “I need you to find my phone.”
“What happened?” Nicky asked but before he could get nervous, Miss Rosa squeezed his hand.
“This old lady tripped in the rag rug and has maybe broken her leg,” Miss Rosa replied. “So, I need to call an ambulance.”
“Are you in pain? I know, Seb got painkillers,” Nicky offered. “And how long have you been sitting here?.”
“I have only sat here for an hour,” Miss Rosa replied. “Once the ambulance is here, they will give me painkillers, but thanks for the offer,”
“If the bus driver had driven faster,” Nicky said. “I could have been here.”
Miss Rosa placed a kiss on Nicky’s temple.
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Miss Rosa said. “This isn’t something you could have prevented. It happens when you get old.”
“Still,” Nicky said. “If the..”
“Nicky, stop thinking that thought,” Miss Rosa said as she leaned their foreheads together again. “This isn’t your fault, Nicky. Understood.”
Nicky nodded.
“I’ll find your phone,” Nicky said. “Is it still in the kitchen?”
“Yes,” Miss Rosa replied. “Where it always is. Next to the tea mugs.”
Nicky got up and walked out into the kitchen, where he took the phone.
“Here,” Nicky said as he handed the phone to Miss Rosa. "I also got you some water."
“Thanks,” Miss Rosa replied. "And thanks for the water."
“Can I go with you to the hospital?” Nicky wanted to know.
“You’re better company than the doctors, so yes,” Miss Rosa replied. “Could you find me my cardigan, while I make the call? It's on the sofa.”
Nicky nodded as he walked into the living room to find the cardigan.
“They’re here within five minutes,” Miss Rosa said. “And thanks for all your help.”
“Don’t mention it,” Nicky replied. “You know what. Not that I want to tell you what you should have in your home, but maybe you should have the same rule as Seb has: no rag rugs.”
“That was an idea,” Miss Rosa replied. “But don’t tell your brother that he is right. His ego can’t handle it.”
Nicky giggled.
“I won’t,” Nicky promised. “I think they’re here.”
“Hello?” A voice asked.
“In the bedroom,” Miss Rosa replied.
“I’m Dave,” Dave said. “You tripped in your rag rug?”
“Yes,” Miss Rosa replied as she took Nicky’s hand. “And I would very much like to get off the floor.”
“In a moment, Miss Madsen,” Dave said. “I need to examine you first. Can you move a bit, young man?”
Nicky moved over to the other side of Miss Rosa not letting go of her hand.
“He is going with me,” Miss Rosa said.
“No problem,” Dave replied. “You can sit on the stretcher.”
After Miss Rosa was placed on the stretcher, Nicky was placed next to her.
“Please don’t drive as my brother does,” Nicky said.
“It isn’t me who is driving today,” Dave replied. “That is Clint.”
Nicky chewed on his lips.
“Is it so that he can see your faces?” Miss Rosa wanted to know. “It will calm him.”
Both Dave and Clint let Nicky look at their face with his fingers before they drove to the hospital.
It didn’t take long before they were at the hospital.
“And who are you?” A voice asked.
“Better company than the doctors,” Nicky replied. “Miss Rosa’s words, not mine.”
“That is good to know,” The voice replied. “I’m Debbie.”
“Nicky,” Nicky replied. “What will happen now?”
“While the nurses and the doctors take care of Miss Rosa,” Debbie replied. “I thought you could go with me.”
Nicky shook his head.
“My big brother is always saying, that I can’t go with strangers or else I'll be grounded,” Nicky said as he crossed his arms. “And I don’t want to be grounded.”
“That’s a very good thing your brother has told you,” Debbie replied. “Can you read braille?
Nicky nodded.
“This is a paper telling what my job is here at the hospital,” Debbie said.
Nicky was handed the paper and read it.
“You work as a priest?” Nicky asked.
“Yes,” Debbie replied. “I promise we won’t go far.”
“Miss Rosa?” Nicky asked. “Does she have priest clothes on?”
“Yes, she has. I promise you,” Miss Rosa replied. “Can he see your face?”
“Of course,” Debbie replied. “Take your time.”
When Nicky had looked at Debbie’s face, he took Miss Rosa’s hand.
“Can I call, Seb?” Nicky wanted to know.
“I can help you with that,” Debbie offered. “The moment they’re finished with examining Miss Rosa, then you will come back to her.”
“Ok,” Nicky said. “Can I get something to eat?”
“We’ll find something,” Debbie promised.
Nicky jumped down from the bed and took Debbie’s hand.
“If he gets nervous, lean your forehead against his,” Miss Rosa said. “And his brother’s number is on my phone.”
When Nicky didn't move Miss Rosa took his other hand.
“Everything will be ok, Nicky,” Miss Rosa reassured.
“Take good care of her,” Nicky said to one of the doctors. “She is family.”
“I promise you,” The doctor replied. “I’m Hakim. Do you want to see my face too?”
Nicky nodded and Hakim bent down so Nicky could look at his face.
“When I get back,” Nicky said. “Will you tell me about your hat?”
“I promise,” Hakim replied. “Debbie will take good care of you, just as we’ll take care of Miss Rosa.”
Nicky waved at Miss Rosa before leaving with Debbie.
“Do you want to eat first?” Debbie wanted to know. “Or call your brother?”
“My brother,” Nicky replied. “I need to hear his voice.”
“Ok,” Debbie replied. “We’ll make the call from my office.”
It didn’t take long before they stood in Debbie’s office.
“What is your brother called?” Debbie wanted to know.
“Sebastien, but only Miss Rosa can call him that,” Nicky replied. “Most people call him Booker.”
Nicky sat down in a chair, while Debbie found the number and handed the phone to him.
“Bloody idiot,” Booker shouted. “This is the pavement, not fucking Le Mans.”
Nicky smiled.
“Isn’t you who always are telling me not to use that kind of language?” Nicky smirked.
“You can’t, but I can. Remember you’re the good kid,” Booker replied. “What’s up?”
“Miss Rosa is in the hospital,” Nicky replied. “And so am I.”
Booker forgot all about starting the van as his heart started to beat faster.
“What happened, Nicky?” Booker wanted to know.
“I think it’s better if Priest Debbie explains it,” Nicky replied. “Just a moment.”
Nicky handed the phone to Debbie.
“Miss Rosa broke her leg and she didn’t want to leave Nicky home alone,” Debbie explained. “I promised Miss Rosa to call you and make sure Nicky gets something to eat.”
Booker took a deep breath hating his job even more.
“I’m over two hours away from London,” Booker said. “I’m going to call a friend of ours so Nicky has someone familiar with him. She can be there in 30-40 minutes.”
“While waiting we’ll go to the cafeteria and find dinner,” Debbie replied. “You can tell your friend she can call this number when she gets here, so she can find Nicky.”
“That’s fine,” Booker replied. “Can I talk with Nicky again?”
Debbie handed the phone to Nicky.
“I’m going to call Andy,” Booker said. “She is closer than me.”
“You do remember what happened the last time you interrupted her Friday evening,” Nicky smirked. “Something about..”
“Yeah I know, what she promised me,” Booker replied. “Nicky, promise me you won’t let go of the phone before I get there.”
“I promise,” Nicky replied. “Please don’t drive like crazy.”
“I won’t,” Booker replied. “Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too,” Nicky replied.
Andy groaned when she saw it was Booker calling.
“Didn’t I warn you what will happen..” Andy asked.
“Yes, you did and I’m sorry,” Booker cut in. “But I need you to get to the hospital.”
Booker explained what had happened.
“I promise to pay the first round in return,” Booker said. “I just don’t like the idea of Nicky with someone I don’t know.”
“On my way,” Andy replied. “Text me the number.”
In the cafeteria, Nicky was poking his dinner deep in thoughts.
“Nicky?” Debbie asked. “Wanna talk?”
Nicky shook his head as he turned his head away as the phone rang and Nicky handed it to Debbie.
“Your friend is on the way,” Debbie said as she handed the phone back. “She will be here in a couple of minutes.”
Nicky just nodded.
“Nicky!” Andy said as she kneeled next to the chair and Nicky put his arms around her neck sobbing. “It’s ok, kiddo.”
Andy ran a hand over Nicky’s back as she looked at Debbie.
“Please don’t be offended over him not eating,” Andy said.
“I’m not,” Debbie replied. “I guess you’ll look after him.”
“Yes,” Andy replied. “His brother will be here soon, so thanks for looking after him.”
“Don’t mention it,” Debbie replied. “It was nice meeting you, Nicky.”
“Likewise,” Nicky replied without taking his arms off Andy’s neck.
Debbie left as Andy sat down on another chair with Nicky in her lap and leaned their foreheads together.
“Wanna tell me what you’re thinking about?” Andy wanted to know.
“I’m worried about Miss Rosa,” Nicky replied. “They haven’t told me anything.”
"Everything takes its time in the hospital, so it can often take hours before they have answers," Andy explained. "So, why don't we go to the Burger King and eat a burger or two? Unless you want to eat the meatloaf."
"It tastes even worse than your meatloaf," Nicky replied. “Can we buy flowers for Miss Rosa? I smelled some on the way.”
“Yes, we can,” Andy replied. "And what do you mean with that my meatloaf is bad?"
It was enough to distract Nicky and his thought about Miss Rosa, talking about Andy's cooking.