(aka Bike) Part 1256 by Angharad Copyright © 2011 Angharad
All Rights Reserved. |
 |
I smiled at Daddy, who opening his eyes, blinked at me several times before he could actually see me. “Where am I?” he asked aware it was a hospital but which one?
“Barts.”
He looked at me for a few moments as if trying to work out how he got there and where exactly, there, was. “St Bartholemew’s?” he uttered, not quite a whisper or a gasp but somewhere between the two. “Whit am daein’ in London?”
“At the moment occupying an emergency bed, how you got here, we’re not sure, but you were found after Diana phoned the Metropolitan police from India. As far as we can tell you were dehydrated and your kidneys were causing some concern, but they’ve stabilised now, so hopefully they’ll discharge you in a few days.”
“A few days? Och, ye can tak me hame noo, whaurs ma breeks?”
“I don’t know, you’ve only ever been in that gown since I was sent for.”
“I cannae mak sense o’ this, whit’s Diana daein’ in India?”
“Time, I believe, as far as we’ve been able to elicit, she was arrested for carrying some large precious stone, which was nicked from a temple near Mumbai.”
“Aye, but surely she wis returrning it, no removin’ it?”
“That’s for the Indian authorities to sort out.”
“I hae to go and help her, I cannae leave her there alone, until Godrick is freed.”
“I’m afraid Godrick is thought to be dead.”
“Whit? Ye’re jokin’ or ye’d better be.”
“It hasn’t been confirmed as far as I’m aware but it was pretty certain to be his body they found.”
“Och, why did ye hae to wak me up, this world’s no worrth thae effort.”
“Daddy, I didn’t wake you up, you chose to come back because instead of one women of questionable morals waiting for you, there are seven grandchildren plus Puddin’; not to mention, three adults who love you to bits All I did was mention this to you–you chose to wake up.”
“I still need tae help her.”
“Daddy, when you were found you were tied up and unconscious. That doesn’t suggest she wanted you following her.”
“Wis she taking thae gemstone tae free Godrick–I’d prefer tae think she wis.”
“I don’t know, Daddy.”
“I’ll need tae send her some money.”
“Why?”
“Are ye stupid? She’ll need money to get hersel’ a lawyer.”
“I think we’ll need to discuss this in the morning, I’m bushed and you’re still quite frail.”
“I feel weel enough tae go hame. Whaur’s ma car?”
“Last heard of at Heathrow.”
“Whit’s it daein’ there?”
“If it hasn’t been removed by the police, running up an horrendous parking fee.”
“Can ye go an’ fetch it fa me?”
“I’ll arrange to have it sent home if the police have finished with it.”
“An’ jest hoo am I s’posed tae get hame?”
“When the hospital considers it appropriate, I’ll come and collect you.”
“Ye’ve got it all figurred oot?”
“Mostly.”
“Ye’re a scunner, Catherine Cameron.”
“Probably–but you knew that yonks ago and still gave me away at my wedding.”
“Aye, weel, I wuldnae hae got much o’ a price fa ye, wuld I?”
I blinked at him, the penny dropped and I glared. “If we’re talking about price per pound, I suspect I’d get more than you, so I wouldn’t come too much the old soldier, if I were you.”
“Ah, you’re awake, Professor?” Jolene joined us as we duelled.
“Hello hen, Cathy, I thocht ye said we’re in London, not Australasia?”
“You are, Professor, I’m nearly as much of a foreigner as you sound.”
I sniggered at this until Tom glared at me. “Allow me to introduce my daughter, the Lady Catherine Cameron.” Tom spoke in an exaggeratedly proper English accent.
“Lady Catherine?” she looked at me, “Is that for real?”
“’Fraid so.” I shrugged and blushed.
“Jeez, had I known, I’d have been curtseying to ya.” She sniggered as I blushed some more.
“Would you like something to eat or drink, Professor?”
“Och, Cathy, can gi’ me somethin’ when we get hame.”
“You’re not going anywhere tonight, sport.”
“I can discharge, mesel’.”
“If he tries that, have him sectioned,” I quickly quipped.
“I’ve a better idea, we’ll just leave him attached to the machines until the doctor’s seen him tomorrow.”
“I’ll unplug mesel’,” he said defiantly.
“I wouldn’t recommend it–um–are you Lord someone, too?”
“No just plain Thomas Agnew.”
“Professor is hardly plain in my books, Professor. So, Lady C, you married your title did you?”
“It’s the easiest way to get one–shall I contact the grapevine for you?” I teased knowing full well she wasn’t interested in men.
“Uh–no thanks. Now what about some food, Professor?”
“I don’t suppose ye’ve a haggis an’ some Laphroaig, hae ye? I missed Burrn’s Nicht.”
“Um–no, I was thinking more a piece of toast and a cuppa.” Now it was Jolene’s turn to blush.
“Maybe we could get it piped in for you, Daddy?” I suggested, smirking.
“Aye, ye’re a scunner, alricht.”
Jolene disappeared and returned about twenty minutes later with tea and toast, including a cuppa for me. “Now, keep this quiet or they’ll all be wanting some.”
“As thae grave,” smiled Tom and I shuddered, the way he was headed, he’d be there long before I was ready to let go of him. But then that seemed to be the trend in both our families.
I left him about an hour later, he was tiring and I left him to sleep. He’d taken his medication from Jolene and I was pretty sure he was in capable hands, besides she was quite an attractive woman and he was putty in their hands if they knew how to handle him, and I was pretty sure that despite her sexual preference, she knew how to get what she wanted from men. Hell, I was getting quite good at it, and she’d had much longer to practice than I had.
I got a cab home, and that cost over twenty quid because it was after midnight. When I said Hampstead and guided him towards the heath, I’m sure he thought I was on the game because he almost sneered at me. Then when I directed him to Henry’s house, I was sure he thought I was making a commercial stop, until I saw Simon waiting for me. “Ah, my husband, good, he can pay your outrageous fee,” I snapped as I got out of his cab and hugged Simon, then asked him to get the fare. Simon shook his head and went to settle the bill, saying something like, “I wish you’d put some money in that handbag of yours.”
Once inside, Mrs Jameson plied me with food and drink and Henry with questions about Tom. “I’m afraid I have some more bad news for you to convey to Tom: his girlfriend died earlier this morning, she had a massive heart attack, apparently.”
“I didn’t know she had one,” I quipped.
Henry scowled at me and Simon told me off for not respecting the dead. “I told her to her face that she was a cheating, lying tart, so I’m staying consistent. Daddy is still in hospital because of her.”
“I think it’s probably more because of what he felt about her, than what she did directly.” Henry suggested and I had to concede he had a point. “Most of us aren’t forced to do things against our wills, we agree to do them, even though we know at times that we’re doing the wrong thing.” I nodded at Henry’s point. “I’m afraid it all boils down to, there’s no fool like an old fool, and especially one who remembers things from the past because for a moment you’re that age again and the feelings rise again.”
“You sound as if you’ve been there?” I commented to my pa-in-law.
“Oh yes, just wait until you’re my age, then we can compare notes on our dotage.”
Comments
Good riddance...
...I'm not sorry to see the end of Lady Di—the selfish user.
If she wasn't dead, I think Tom would be heading out to India as quickly as he could. He is obviously in denial about the way she treated him.
Thanks A+B: I can now add scunner to my vocabulary.
Parlous Situations
Bike Resources
Bike Resources
Easy As Falling Off A Bike pt 1256
What in the world is a scudder?
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
I don't know
about scudder, Stan, but scunner is Scots for loathesome, or can be as a verb as in loathing. Tom is of course joking.
Angharad
Angharad
Scunner…
…is often used as a term of endearament by older people referring to a member of a younger generation, particularly by parents to their children. A more English version would be "You young rogue, you."
Gabi.
Gabi.
Was hoping Tom would have
learned more in his dreams. Finding it strange that Di is dead.
Massive heart attack...
It wouldn't have coincided with a BLH tour of Tom's memories, by any chance?
Just wondering...
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
At least that takes care of
At least that takes care of the possible acrimonious discussion 'tween Tom and Cathy about the Lady Di. Just as well, I guess, though it would have been nice for Tom to find a friend his own age. Then again, the youngsters keep him young.
CaroL
CaroL
Wise Men Say Only Fools Rush In
Looks like Tom still doesn't want to believe that Dianna is the person that Cathy told him she was. It is really sad that he could be blinded by love, but things happen. It does seem really suspicious that she would meet her end so quickly after being arrested, even if it is good riddance. It might be a regular Heart Attack and then again there might have been other factors in play. We know that there were some pretty bad guys trying to find her. I guess time will tell. Cathy seems to have a knack for getting to the truth.
Another nice chapter.
And there it was, sorted. Lots of loose ends tied up. Looked up the word 'scunner', yep; it's there.
Still lovin' it
Bev.
Growing old disgracefully.
Just as well
... as the rest of the commentators are saying. This way Tom can keep his delusional memories of a heartless old tart and Cathy will not have to rub it in his face when she inevitably wins her point. Not that she would gloat about it but by merely winning the point would just hurt Tom more.
Like I've said in other comments, there is really no fool like an old fool. Tom does not even realize how lucky he is to get out of it alive. Some old men just run through life with blinders on.
Kim
Stubborn Old Men.
The last year I was home, in 2004, my father-in-law, was so mean and irrascable, that he once pulled a gun on me, .357 I think. He had a Doctor's appointment and decided to be a prick to his daughter, making her cry. I'd had enough and decided to drag his ass to the car. It didn't take much to get the gun away from him, and at that time in my life, I was disappointed that he did not shoot me. I'd had it with the bullshit life I was leading.
Six months later, I was living as a woman full time.
Nice episode.
Khadijah
Hopefully, the death of
Hopefully, the death of Tom's ex-flame and her husband might settle him down regarding Cathy and their interactions and words they had with each other. Somehow I see this "heart attack" as being one brought one by someone allowed access to "lady di". I use small letters, as she was a small minded person in life and definitely does not deserve being called a lady, as she was not one; as proven by how she treated Tom when she fled.
Somehow I doubt Tom chose to drug himself,
and then tied up for several days. He put his trust in the wrong person, but then, love is blind.
We are doomed to communicate in our dotish on our dotish
I'll bet that Aussie nurse will have Tom's interest shortly. She sounds like a hottie,who knows and laughs at the flirting game.
Nice to hear the Lady Bitch won't be coming back.
Cefin