Free Sign of the Times by Susan Buchanan

relatives’ room, feeling useless.
    Dawn arrived with her sister in tow.   Tom explained what the consultant had said.   She listened, tears spilling down her face, streaking her mascara.    After a few awkward moments, when Dawn sobbed against her sister, she regained her composure sufficiently to ask Tom what had happened.   Tom admitted he didn’t know, but assured her he was going to find out.   It had just occurred to him what Willie had said about Jamie not wearing his hard hat.   Jamie was a stickler for rules and safety especially and always led by example.   Tom couldn’t envisage any situation where Jamie wouldn’t wear his hat.
    “Dawn, I’m going to go back to the site, speak to the guys, see what I can find out.   Please let me know if there’s any change.”

    Tom stormed blindly out of the hospital.   He couldn’t believe Jamie was in a coma.    He prayed he would be all right.   He’d known Jamie since he was ten years old.   It put everything else in perspective.   Ashamed, but unable to help himself, Tom’s thoughts turned towards the business and the further setback it would take as a direct result of Jamie’s no doubt lengthy absence.    He called Mike to let him know the latest.   Mike took the news calmly, but was deeply sorry about Jamie.   The builder’s grapevine was such that Mike had already heard rumours about Jamie’s accident.  
    “Tom, if you need to talk…”
    “I’ll phone you later.”

    Arriving back at the site, he immediately sought out Willie.
    “Willie.   Jamie’s in a coma.   We don’t know yet how serious things are,” said Tom in despair. “Earlier you said Jamie wasn’t wearing a hard hat. You know Jamie, Mr Safety, why wasn’t he wearing his hat?”
    Willie seemed guarded, eventually stammering, “I-I’m not totally sure.”
    “What do you mean you’re not sure?”
    Willie finally blurted out, “Just before the accident, Jamie was arguing with Joe.”
    “What do you mean arguing?” alarm bells went off in Tom’s head.
    “Well, a few punches were thrown and…”
    “A few punches!” exclaimed Tom incredulously.   Willie said miserably, “Joe threw the first punch, but Jamie retaliated and Joe smacked him on the head and Jamie’s hat flew off.   Next minute the load fell.   But everything happened so fast,” Willie backtracked.
    “Where’s Joe?” Tom fumed.   “You realise the implications of this?    The police will have to be called in.”
    “I haven’t seen him since the accident.”
    Tom went off in search of Joe.   He was going to break his bloody neck.   But, there was no sign of him.   Tom called Cynthia and asked for Joe’s address.   He jumped back in his car and raced down the M77to Ayr to see if Joe was home.

Chapter Eight

    Tom knocked a second time and a third.   The fourth time he hammered on the door, a neighbour came out and asked him to cut it out.   Tom apologised and asked if he knew where Joe was,
    “Haven’t seen him, son.   He’s working at a site near Cumbernauld, though.”
    Tom thanked the man and returned to his car fuming.   Where was the little runt?   He sat, staring at the steering wheel, lost in his thoughts.   Snapping back to reality, he picked up his mobile and called Mike.
    “Mike?   Tom.   How about that pint?”

    By the time Tom made it to the pub, Dawn had called with an update.   Jamie had been assessed and a brain scan had indicated a considerable amount of swelling.   They were going to have to operate to relieve the pressure to his brain.   The medical team would then continue with further tests, but couldn’t yet confirm if he’d have any permanent damage. The next few hours would be crucial.   Tom told her to keep her chin up, reminded her Jamie was a fighter and said he’d call her first thing to see if there was any further change.
    Mike arrived shortly after Tom.   Tom was just telling Mike about Joe’s involvement in the incident, when he