(aka Bike) Part 2021 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad
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I had been suitably cleaned up and the girls were allowed back in to see me. Julie appeared with a nice wet patch on her skirt where I presumed she had washed out my vomit.
“If this skirt is ruined you can jolly well buy me a new one,” she declared standing by the side of the bed.
“I’m sure if you wish, I could get the nurses to loan you one of these,” I pulled at the hospital gown–one of those with the three ties up the back.
“I’m sure I’m going to walk through the car park with my bum hanging out of one of those.”
“You could always wear it back to front,” teased Trish.
“I could always use it to strangle my younger sister as well,” came the retort.
“Girls please,” I asked and they both shut up and blushed. “Now how is everyone at home?”
“Okay,” said Julie, “except they’re all worried about you. But Aunt Stella said since David came, she’s not half as worried about you.”
“That’s because she doesn’t have to do any cooking,” Trish had worked out what was going through my mind as well.
“She’s so caring,” I sighed.
“She saved your bacon this morning by all accounts,” Julie informed me.
“Nah, we just saved Mummy, not Auntie Stella,” protested Trish.
“If they hadn’t got her into hospital, there’d have been nothing to save. That was because Auntie Stella called the ambulance.”
“But we healed her,” Trish wasn’t prepared to share the limelight with anyone.
“Girls, please, my head is buzzing.”
“Ah, you’re awake,” said Ken Nicholls strolling in, “girls,” he added and they both smiled at him.
“Can I go home now?” I asked.
“Um–not for me to decide, ol’ girl.”
“But you’re a doctor?”
“Yes, but I’m not your consultant.”
“Well who is?” I asked.
“Dylan Hartley, the chap from Southampton.”
“Can we send for him?”
“Hardly, he went home hours ago–after he saw the scan results.”
“If he can go home, why can’t I?”
“As far as I know, he didn’t have a head injury and lose consciousness.”
“I didn’t did I? I was just asleep.”
“It was a pretty deep sleep, as in unconscious.”
“But I could hear everything.”
“People who are unconscious often can.”
“Look can we ring him and ask him?”
“He’s off duty now.”
“Can I discharge myself, then?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it, if you collapse again you could be in real trouble.”
“I won’t, I feel fine–honestly.”
“Sorry, Cathy, I won’t discharge you.”
“Jules ring your dad and ask him to come and get me and ask him to bring in some clothes to go home in.”
“I think you ought to listen to Mr Nicholls, Mummy.”
“Why? I don’t usually and I haven’t died thus far.”
“Is she better, now, Mr Nicholls?” asked Trish, “We healed on her and she was sick.”
“Yeah, all over me,” complained her sister.
“Well take your skirt off if it’s that wet.”
“I’m not walking round here in my panties.”
“Lend me your phone,” I held my hand out to Julie.
“I haven’t got it, it’s in the car recharging.”
I didn’t believe her for one minute. “Okay, let me use yours, Trish.”
“I didn’t bring it–Daddy said they don’t like you using mobile phones in hospital it can affect people’s racemakers.”
Ken looked away trying not to laugh.
“Pacemakers you ninny,” Julie corrected her sister.
“Oh, is that what they’re called?”
“I’m afraid it is, Trish.”
Trish shrugged, “I don’t care,” the look on her face seemed to echo what she’d said and Julie rolled her eyes.
“Okay, can someone loan me a coat and I’ll bloody well walk home.”
“Don’t be silly, Mummy, you haven’t any shoes with you.”
I looked at Ken, “I’m a voluntary patient here, right?”
“Of course.”
“So I can leave when I like?”
“Yes.”
“So, I’d like to go now.”
“Could we have the drip stands back after you’ve finished with them?”
I looked and realised I had a drip in each arm. “Why am I on these?”
“You’ve had antibiotics and steroids pumped into you, it might explain why you feel so much better.”
“We healed her,” complained Trish.
“I’m sure you helped as well, young lady, but your mum was actually improving before you arrived.”
“I was sending her healing all day.”
“I’m sure you were, but we had her on drips soon after she arrived.”
“Why?” that was me.
“Why? Because it was decided that you needed them.”
“So can you take them off?”
“I could but I’m not going to.”
“Ken, I’m asking you nicely.”
“And I’m declining equally nicely.”
“Why have I got to spend a night in this prison cell?”
“It’s possibly not as comfortable as your own bed, but as single hospital rooms go, I don’t think it’s too bad. I have to go and you should be about due something to eat, Lady C.”
“I’m on hunger strike in protest at my false imprisonment.”
“Suit yourself, I’m off, bye ladies.”
“Bugger me,” I said feeling exasperated.
“I’m trying to give it up,” responded Julie.
“Eh?” With what? went through my mind but I refused to give her the satisfaction of asking it.
“You can’t do it–you haven’t got a wotsit anymore,” said Trish rather loudly.
“And neither have you, so I’d keep your stupid voice down,” Julie snarled back at her.
“Mummy, she’s threatening me.”
“Girls please, why don’t you go home and tell your father to come and get me?”
“That man said no.” Trish looked very concerned.
“What does he know?”
“He is a doctor, Mummy.”
“So?”
“I think you should stay.”
“I agree,” said Julie.
“So, just tell your dad will you?”
“Um–no can do, Mummy. We can’t afford to have you collapse on us if we got you home.”
“What? I’m not going to collapse except by boredom in this dump.”
“I’ve got your iPad in my bag.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“I didn’t like to say anything in case they’re not allowed.”
“Sod that, I can Skype Simon.”
“He’ll be in later, I’ll get him to bring in a nightdress for you.”
“Make it my jarmies and a pair of hiking boots and my bicycle.”
“What?” roared Trish. “Jarmies, hiking boots and a bike? That’s silly, Mummy.”
“I guess it is, okay tell him my bicycle, some cycling shoes and my cycling kit.”
“He won’t bring those in.”
“Why not?”
“He would say you’re being silly, Mummy.”
“No he wouldn’t,” corrected Julie, “he’d say you were friggn’ nuts.” A few minutes later she added, “We’ve gotta go,” then bent over to kiss me on the cheek.
“Lend me your clothes, I’ll come straight back with them.”
“No way, Mummy, don’t even think about it.”
“An’ mine are too small,” smirked Trish.
“Traitors,” I accused as they waved and left me in this madhouse.
“Your tea Mrs Cameron,” in walked a nurse and plonked a plate containing a jacket potato and grated cheese on my bedside table, then added a cup of tea. “Enjoy.”
She was gone before I could tell her I was on hunger strike, so I ate it.
Comments
Rodney Dangerfield
"I can't get no respect!", quoted by Cathy.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Like The Proverbial Mule
For someone who is as intelligent as she is she ain't too smart. Congratulations go to the girls for standing up to her.
Portia
Cathy's a stroppy cow
Just 'cos she's an academic doctor doesn't make her an expert on the human body.
As usual, a gripping storyline - 'Bike' is the highlight of my day.
S.
Someone is acting like a petulant child.
I think her daddy needs to come in and give her what for. Too bad Simon can't give her a good spanking.
Overall kind of a funny episode
after a serious injury.... laughed out loud at the last line. If it had tuna it would have been perfect (and irresistible)
Yep! Cathy is stubborner
than a mule, but at least knows when to quit for tea.
May Your Light Forever Shine
Awkward, Stubborn ,
two words which describe Cathy to a tee, But do they bother us or her family , Thankfully it seems not , We all love her even with all her faults, Take away any part of the whole that is Cathy and things would not be the same, And we would all hate that ... Wouldn't we.
Kirri
Wow...
Talk about nice food at the hospital... Every time I've been in, they wait days before the food approaches a big potato... And, never with stuff on it. I obviously go to the wrong hospital.
Glad they're doing the right thing, despite Cathy's insistence otherwise. Given what happened to her, overnight observation sounds smart... Specially since she didn't even realize she had drips in both arms... As much as she thinks she's fine, the evidence shows otherwise.
Thanks,
Annette
Patients like ...
Patients like Cathy need summat' slipped into their drip. I mean she's only been in a few hours and she's like a caged cat.
As I remember rightly, the last time I was concussed (Ski slope fall in Llanelli,) they kept me in a four bed ward for three whole days. I was without a phone or a bloody lap-top and I had to watch the most boring crap imaginable on the only telly. It seemed to be nothing but gardening programmes and bloody sport, sport, sport! ... but no cycling. It seemed to me to be all rugby, rugby f-----g rugby. Still the food was edible and I can eat just about anything. I didn't get to watch one shopping programme or fashion programme. I just put my head down and kept shtum.
That's what Cathy should do.
Still lovin' it, Bevs.
X
Humorous Cathy
The repartee between Cathy, Trish, Julie, and Dr. Nicholls was funny. I don't know if Cathy was trying to be funny to show all she could go home or if the meds were affecting her a little bit, but in spite of her humor, attempted or not, she is staying in the hospital for at least one more night. I think that is a good thing.
Don't let someone else talk you out of your dreams. How can we have dreams come true, if we have no dreams?
Katrina Gayle "Stormy" Storm