43Kiama 2002
“James, the tea’s ready!” Jenny shouted out the kitchen window. She put the two mugs on a tray and walked downstairs to the table and chairs under the pergola in the backyard. James was already seated, rubbing the right side of his chest.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m not sure,” James said. “I think I might have pulled a muscle using the shears.
He twisted in his seat and took the mug of tea from the tray. After his first sip, he started coughing. His hand went reflexively to his side. “Ahh! That hurts.” Jenny watched him wince with each cough. It was as if he were endeavouring to hold his chest together. “b****y hell!” he exclaimed after the fit of coughing had ended. “That hurt. It’s like I’ve got broken glass scattered in my chest cutting into me when I cough.”
Jenny
