“A Fine Pickle, Indeed”

“Was that Colin O’Brien that I saw just loaded up and whisked away in that ambo, then?” Arthur asked, as he rushed over to Alex, who was hanging around outside of the inn.

“Sure was,” Alex replied, watching the ambo drive off down the road. “Poor bastard broke his leg tryin’ to jump from the back balcony.”

“Oh my! Why on earth would he want to go and do a thing like that?” Arthur asked.

“Might wanna ask him that,” Alex chuckled, as he lit up a cigarette and popped it in his mouth. “Oh, yeah, he asked me to give you a message... says not to bother opening up the shop today, he obviously won’t be there to work on any cars.”

“I should go into the office anyway, let his customers know what’s happened,” Arthur said, worriedly. “Maybe Dom can come in and cover for him. If his leg is broken, Dom will have to take on the full load until Colin is healed up.”

“Yeah, good idea, that,” Alex told him, “might wanna let his girlfriend know, too, what happened. Seems she was sorta responsible in a round about way.”

“Miss Campbell... responsible for Colin’s leg? Oh my, yes, well, I’ll have a chat with her first chance I get, make sure Colin has someone to care for him once he’s home from the hospital.”

About that time, Abby and Dwayne came strolling out of the inn, hand-in-hand. Arthur stared, shocked by the sight of the two of them together. He looked over at Alex, who raised an eyebrow and nodded, “Well, ain’t that a fine pickle,” Alex snorted, as Dwayne cast him a glance. “Maybe you might want to have that chat with her, later,” he told Arthur, “Looks a bit preoccupied right now.”

“I think maybe I should go to the hospital now... check on how Colin is doing,” Arthur said, worriedly, then rushed off to his car.