“Great. The nurse told me you’re being discharged into the care of the social services, does that mean you’ve some family after all?”
“Maybe. I need to get to London.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Because that’s where he lives.”
“Oh, how about a lift to Berkhamstead? It’s not far north of London, so you could get a train in from there.”
“Really? That would be brilliant!”
“Yeah, I’ll call my Dad and tell him we’ve got one extra.”
“Oh, thanks, David, you’re a star,” I said, and before I knew what I was doing, I instinctively kissed his cheek.
He reddened a little but grinned.
“It’s part of my ploy to get your body,” he said.
“You have to catch me first!” I teased.
“Seriously, what are you up to?”
“Now? Bugger all. Getting bored and frustrated that I can’t remember how I managed to get here.”
“How about a coffee? It’s not a street café in Paris, but we can pretend.”
“It’s the best offer in town, so why not?”
We went to the small café run by the ‘Friends of the Hull Hospital’.
A French street café it wasn’t, but it served coffee and sticky buns. I tried to pay for mine, but David insisted and made me carry them to the table. He could hardly manage them with his crutches.
“When I had a leg injury, I had a sort of holdall round my neck to carry stuff,” I said.
He looked at me.
“You remembered something else!”
It dawned on me that I had to be extra careful, as I had let my guard down for a second.
“Things keep trickling back. I’m Rebecca Carter, by the way.”
“Great! So the shrink gave you a clean bill of health?”
“Yup, as did the medical doctors. They want my bed, so we’re both being kicked out on the same day.”
He smiled and drank his coffee. I put myself in his shoes for a second. Here was an attractive and seemingly vulnerable girl, free and apparently available, figuratively on a plate. He was like putty in my hands.
He spent an hour chatting and making silly jokes. I was privileged in seeing the male psyche at work from the other side of the fence. Were we really that arrogant and self-opinionated?
It’s not that he was either really, but he did like talking about himself. I didn’t have a past, or not one I could share, so I was content to listen. He was a nice guy - a bit of an idealist, somewhat naïve and definitely insecure in certain aspects. He’d not seen much of the real world, having enjoyed a well-to-do upbringing, a good education and then to Vet’s college. His professional experience was amongst the farming community, so how much of life does one see from the rear end of a cow?
However, all that being said, I found him pleasant company and enjoyed our time together. I discounted him being a bad guy, as he was too genuine and naïve. All the while, I was watching the people milling about, in case someone was seeking me on behalf of those who had dumped me.
“So, what do you do, can you remember yet?”
I frowned. I’d often wondered what I’d like to have done, had I not joined the army. Strangely, I always fancied being an actor or teaching. I’d have never got the academic grades to teach, and never got the opportunity to do anything else. Being in the SAS meant I often had to pretend to be something I wasn’t, so I thought I must be at least half-way there. Particularly, as I was now doing exactly that!
“I’m not sure. If I don’t turn out to an assassin for MI5, I think I’d like to be an actress.”
“You’ve got the looks, and you’re certainly bright enough.”
“You’re biased, as you know I’d steal your crutches if you said anything nasty.”
He chuckled. “You see, you’ve a quick sense of humour and a wonderful personality. You’re bound to be a success.”
I smiled, but my mind was going over what he said. I remembered what my ex-wife said, on numerous occasions. – ‘You’re so bloody miserable! With a personality like yours, who needs depression?’
My personality had changed. I found myself with what felt like a release of a dark and heavy cloud from my shoulders. There was no other way to explain it. It was as if I had created a life as Rob that had trapped me into being something that I couldn’t change. Now change had been forced on me, I felt free of everything that previously trapped me.
I actually felt happy for the first time in many years. Perhaps it was the first time in my life. The happiness bubbled up inside me and I burst into laughter.
He grinned at me. “It wasn’t that funny.”
“No, I’m just laughing because I feel free for the first time in my life,” I explained.
“Really?”
“I can’t explain it, but I just feel as if a big black cloud has gone from me. Life looks good now.”
“And it wasn’t before?”
“I don’t know, but to be honest, I don’t really care. I’m happy now, and that’s all that matters.”
David looked at his watch.
“Uh-oh, look at the time. Obergruppenfurher i/c dindins will be in the ward, and woe betide anyone who misses their food!”
“I’d better go back as well. I’ll see you later.”
We parted and I watched as he hobbled off. He was more proficient than he had been earlier, but still took his time. I remembered crutches with some dislike. By the end, I was almost able to go as fast as anyone walking quickly.
I returned to my room, to find the nurse packing up my few belongings.
“You’ve been moved,” she announced.
“Oh?”
“There’s a bed in the day ward. As you’re going tomorrow, we need this bed for someone else.”
I had a single Tesco’s carrier bag with a few bits and pieces in it. I found the day ward nearer the entrance.
“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in!” said a voice.
“David! You here as well?”
“So, we’ll get to sleep together on our first date,” he said with a chuckle.
I smiled and was shown to a bed on the ladies side of the ward. The ward had alcoves with four beds in each. There were three male alcoves and three female ones. However, this was only a rough guide, as I was between a girl with a broken elbow and a man who’d had his piles seen to. Both were likely to be released this evening, or by the morning at the latest.
The man was laying on his front, for obvious reasons. A large rubber ring was inflated and sat expectantly on his chair.
It looked odd and I smiled.
“Undignified bloody ailment,” the man said with a grin. His Yorkshire accent was very broad.
I suddenly remembered an old joke about three soldiers in military hospital when the Queen paid a surprise visit.
The first man was suffering from VD.
“Oh, gracious, how horrid. What’s the treatment?” asks the Queen.
“Wire Brush and Dettol, Ma’am,” said the RSM.
“What are your hopes and ambitions, my man?” the Queen asked the soldier.
“To get fit and fight for you and the country, Ma’am.”
“Jolly good, here’s a medal,” Her Royal Highness said, and moved onto the next man. This man is lying on his front, obviously suffering from piles.
“Wire brush and Dettol, Ma’am,” said the RSM, as she asked about treatment.
“What do you want to do next?” she asked the poor man.
“Get better, so I can get back to protect your realm, Your Highness.”
“Jolly good, here’s a medal.”
Moving onto the next man, she asks him a question but he has no voice.
“What’s the matter with him?” she asks.
The man opened his mouth but nothing could be heard. The Queen turned to the RSM.
“Laryngitis, Ma’am.”
“And the treatment?”
“Wire brush and Dettol, Ma’am.”
“Gosh, that seems a bit nasty. What is your ambition, my man?” she asks, leaning close to him.