Modern Rituals Read Free Page B

Montgomery, a father of three daughters, had offered her a place to live with his family until she got back on her feet. She’d never forgotten his generosity.  
    Olivia’s love life had so far consisted of a barrage of ill-willed suitors—they swarmed to her well-placed curves and towering height. Dainty freckles dotted her face, framed by fussy, though full-bodied auburn hair. For all her beauty, which she could leave or take, she was most proud of her cool confidence and magnetic wit—it was a shame those assets didn’t attract a better mate. After the last failed relationship, she’d decided love had deserted her, and for better or worse, would cease placing energy into it, leaving the whole matter to serendipity.
    She headed to the front desk to review the incoming roster. Two in the queue: an arm fracture and a catatonic man with severe bruising to his hands and face. Olivia allocated staff to each patient and opted for a break.
    She swiped her employee badge through the time clock. Before it chirped in confirmation, she scurried outside where she inhaled a lungful of autumn air and started her customary walk to Berries Coffee Shop, her favorite coffeehouse across the street.  
    These brief escapes cleared her mind, allowing her to dream. Though fond of Belfast, what she truly desired was to return to London. That required money, of which she had saved a small amount, but it would be at least a year before she could consider leaving. That was perfectly acceptable, for she had yet to see much of Ireland—perhaps in a month she might ask for a week’s leave to adventure through many of the countryside’s famous castles. Between her motivation-sucking breakup and new position, her free time had dwindled. The longing to travel had goaded her into leaving London in the first place.  
    Funny how that works.  
    Berries approached faster than she liked. The storefront offered its familiar, inviting entrance, from which the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans emanated. Her mouth watered as her mind’s eye envisioned beans ground and filtered into a delicious, steaming cup. A tiny bell rang as she opened the door and entered the foyer.
    Margerie, one of Berries’ baristas, welcomed Olivia with her usual warm salutation.
    “Hey, love—what’ll it be today? The usual?” Margerie said.
    Olivia smiled, nodded and made her way to an open table. As she leafed through a fitness magazine, an unexpected pang of anxiety hit her. Alarmed, she closed the magazine and sat back, considering the feeling’s origin.  
    Off in the distance, the sound of fireworks exploded in rapid succession.  
    Gunfire.  
    From the hospital.
    Olivia bolted—the tiny bell swung.

    5

    Screams issued from the entrance to the A&E, and gunshots deafened Olivia’s ears. Dr. Montgomery yelled at someone to stop firing. Another gunshot—he fell silent. Olivia crouched a few feet from the sliding glass doors that led into the waiting room—they were propped open.  
    She pressed her back to the left side of the entrance and craned her neck around the corner. Victims lay on the waiting room’s floor—some with their hands over their heads, some in the fetal position, some motionless. Olivia’s heart pounded. An awful silence hung in the air, interrupted by sirens in the distance that mingled with moans from within.  
    She focused on Dr. Montgomery. She needed to get him to safety—if it wasn’t too late.  
    Olivia crouched and edged her way into the waiting area, scrambling toward the waiting-desk’s end. She peeked around. The inpatient area’s open doors framed a pair of men’s boots within an examination area. A curtain concealed the rest of his body.
    The man spoke: “Where is he? I’m done with the warnings—as you can see I’m quite serious.”
    “I’m so sorry! We don’t have anyone under that name—please!”
    “I know he was brought here no more than thirty minutes ago. Where would he be?”  
    “Patients are