"What the hell," a deep voice demanded.

"Please, sir, give me room. This woman needs my help. You can ask questions later."

Major Tomlinson moved out of the way. "There will be hell to pay for this Sergeant. "

"Not our fault, sir."

"Doesn't look good. Does it?"

"Civilians, sir, nothing to do with us. "The army medic wiped Joyce's face with a damp cloth. "Your attacker broke your nose, and no amount of make-up will hide your bruises. You need to go to the hospital for a thorough check."

Joyce enjoyed the sensation of a cool cloth on her skin. "Maybe later. How's Tony?"

"Fifty-fifty. He lost a lot of blood."

"But he's alive."

He was when the ambulance drove away."

The medic looked directly into her eyes. "I can straighten your nose, or you can wait until you reach A&E. "

"Will it hurt?"

"Not really."

"I don't believe you. Get on with it."

"Okay. Lean forward, pinch the top of your nose, and hold it tight."

"What are you waiting for?"

"For the bleeding to stop. As a point of interest, you'll need a shower to remove the blood coating your upper body."

"Are you telling me I have bloody tits?"

He smiled. From your neck to your waist, it's a mess. Stop pinching your nose." He waited a minute. "It's stopped. Ready?"

Before she could answer, his right thumb and finger travelled down her nose.

"You bastard."

He moved his head left and right. "Perfect if I say so myself. I need to wash your face and tape it in position, but that's you finished."

"Great job, Sergeant. Is she fit to be moved?"

"You can ask me yourself. Im not invisible."

"Major Simmons, I'm the OIC. I understand you are with the police."

"Chief Inspector Parsons, serious crime squad, Major." She turned her head. "Thank you, Sergeant. Can you help me, too, the ladies? I need the loo.

"I'll take her," said a familiar voice.

"Rupert. Did you bring a change of clothes?"

"Not exactly something I keep in my office."

"So that's a no then."

"I thought you wanted the loo?"

"I do. Help me up."

"I need to get you to the hospital for a check-up."

"The Sergeant completed a thorough medical. I don't need a hospital.

"Sorry, ma'am, I agree, but I did not give you a clean bill of health. Better safe than sorry."

Joyce pulled a face but felt unsteady on her feet and wanted to throw up."

"Major, Sergeant, thank you. My other half will look after me, and I will visit A&E."

Rupert held out his hand and helped her to her feet. "The toilet first, and you can tell me the whole story on the way to the hospital. A&E is waiting."

***

The staff at the hospital checked Joyce and advised she may have a concussion. A young nurse checked blood pressure, vision, and nose. 

A tired-looking doctor read her results. "Chief Inspector, you can go home as soon as Nurse Alison tapes your nose.   I suggest you make an appointment with your GP  to have it checked over in five days.

On leaving the hospital, a top coat covered her bloodied clothes, and a nurse had cleaned most of the blood from her face.

"Julian wants you to return to the office. I enjoyed telling him to go away. On the way home, I'll stop at the chippy and buy dinner. Cod or Haddock?

"I could do with a hot bath and dump these clothes in the bin."

Rupert patted her hand. "In order of priority, Food, hot bath, and relax. No alcohol in case you have a touch of concussion."

"Yes, doctor. I have one request. Can you find out how Tony is? You know he saved my life."

"He's doing okay. While the nurse did the business, I found out where he was and asked the nurse in his room. The two bullets missed the vital organs, but his left shoulder required screwing and pinning. What he needed more than anything was a blood transfusion. The nurse told me he was close to bleeding out. You can thank him yourself in a couple of days."

"He's a lucky man."

"So am I," said Rupert.

A smile tugged at her lips as tears rolled across her cheeks. N Been a different day, but tomorrow the earth will still turn, the sun will rise in the morning, and it will be a good day."

He grinned. Every day is a good day. Some are better than others. Cod or Haddock?

"Cod, please and plenty of vinegar."

He chuckled as he left the car. "You stay where you are. I don't want the world to think we had a domestic."

"I haven't married you yet."

"Two weeks of freedom is all you have left."

She watched him stroll into the chippy. "Tomorrow will be a better day."