h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Lil has already read this elsewhere, but I thought if I journalled itI won't have to repeat it elsewhere - and it might make it easier for me to grasp what's happened.

I just had the most appalling news. I had a phone call from my ex just as I was about to go and get the paper. Two of my friends, former housemates of my ex, were in a motorbike accident yesterday. Moira's in the local hospital with her legs and pelvis pinned. Vincent died at the scene. Front page of local paper. Am at the office, but unable to do anything - I'm waiting to be called to the hospital, or something, I don't know.

This feels like shock. I'm guessing that's what it is.

My ex has come up from Sydney overnight. He'll call me sometime and I'll meet him at the hospital or somewhere or something or... I just don't know anything much at the moment.

Vincent was a great guy. Always happy and smiling, always helping other people, and always a cautious road-user. He w*rked for this organisation too, making things easier for indigenous customers. Fairly soon I expect there'll be something official on our internal website thing. I need to brace myself for that.

I don't know where or when the funeral will be. Vincent was from South Australia; his traditional country was somewhere near Whyalla. I don't know how traditional his family is, but I expect they'll want to take him back to Country.

oh Ivan that is terrible news

I'm so sorry Ivan.
I thought your post in the last post thread sounded touchingly different...now I know why!
Thanks for letting us know what's going on. I may be a new friend of yours , but if you're feeling this shocked and saddened by this tragedy, I know that all of us want to let you know that you're in our thoughts and will offer any comfort that we can by being here for you.

Oh Ivan! Poor them, poor you.And Moira will be absolutely devastated of course. She especially will need a good true friend around, thank goodness she has you to turn to.

Yes, you will be in shock at the moment, later there will be tears & anger, for now if you are going to be the one to be involved in helping sort practicalities & give support, maybe you will have to do the "i am strong" act, but it *will* be an act. Make sure you don't bottle it all up too much, love.

Is Moira conscious? Does she know about Vincent yet?

Ivan, this isn't easy.

RIP Vincent

zdt

I don't know if Moira's conscious, or if she knows. That's the real horror of it all.

I'll be drifting in and out of hootoo all day, or at least until I have something definite to do somewhere. Thanks everyone for being around...

I wish I could help you.

Thanks Hati.

Ivan, my thoughts are with you and all of the family and friends of Moira and Vincent. A terrible tragedy. I'm so very sorry.

I've just got up, having been lying in bed brooding about some other road deaths. Your poor friends. Poor you. How horrible. Sending warm thoughts your way.

The last I heard, Moira had regained consciousness. I don't yet know what she knows. I'm waiting for D, my ex, to get in touch again.

A blessing that she's conscious. How is D coping?

No idea. He sounded really rattled earlier this morning, in the last voice communication. He doesn't get rattled easily, so I suspect he's in a bad way - but for reasons too tangled to go into here, I can't just go and find him.

***

Stop press - he called, just this second. He's gone to have some time alone, as he often does; he'll call me later. I guess that's where I leave things for now. I think I'll look into going home.

Good idea. See if you can get a lift.

If you feel like going on MSN when you get back, i'm still up; lil's one to bed though. Get yourself a now is my advice & sod the dentist!

zdt

Oh bl**dy hell Ivan What awful news - and to get it in the office too.

I hope that you managed to get home and that D and you can see Moira soon.

Hang on in there. And come and talk to us whenever you need to.


Fb

I'm now home, trying to relax. I haven't been to the hospital, or anywhere in particular; I decided to have a bit of splendid isolation myself.

If and when D needs me, he'll call and ask me to appear. Until then, I'm staying here, trying not to think too much. 15 years ago, I lost four friends in a single-vehicle accident; the memories are coming back, but without the pain this time. Things do get easier to bear.

It's Moira I'm concerned about. Surgery and physiotherapy can only fix some things.

Apparently vermouth can't fix anything in particular, but that's not stopping me trying it out. Unaccountably, there's no vodka in the house. That might yet prove to be a good thing.

(By the way, Snailrind - I'm a chronic lurker. )