Gentleman Sinner(109)

The nurse moves in and peels his eyelid back, holding her light up. And as I knew he would, he moves, hampering her. She huffs and tries again, getting the same result. ‘He’s a fidget, isn’t he?’

I smile and take over her duties, assessing and noting all of Theo’s vitals without interference from any of the on-duty staff, nor from Theo. He remains unmoving. He’s still out cold. But I know he’s with me.

*

Leaving the staff to organize Theo’s scans, X-rays, and transfer to ICU, I wander out of the cubicle in a bit of a daze, my adrenaline fading. I feel wiped out. Pressing my back up against the wall out-side the resuscitation unit, I look up to the bright, tubular lights and take a moment to gather myself. To try to comprehend what has just happened. But despite my overwhelming relief and happiness, I still break down. Rivers of tears pour down my cheeks as I try to process it all. It’s going to take some time. I was meant to work those unusually long three hours over my shift. I was meant to exit the hospital via Casualty. I was meant to be there when the ambulance arrived with Theo’s dying body.

The sounds of protest hit me from the side, and I look down the corridor, seeing a team of nurses fighting with the drunken man who forced me to step in, to approach the bed Theo was being carried in on so I could help clear the paramedics’ path. I would never have gotten close enough to the bed to see Theo had that drunk not bowled aimlessly in front of them. That inebriated man was supposed to be there. He was supposed to cause havoc.

I breathe out, feeling my back mould to the wall behind me as my phone rings, and I rummage through my bag, sniffing back my tears, until I lay my hands on it, seeing Callum is calling. I frown. He hasn’t been in touch since I picked up my stuff from Theo’s place two weeks ago. The glow of his name knocks some purpose into me. ‘Callum,’ I say in greeting, pushing my back off the wall and peeking around the corner to Theo’s bed. I can barely see him for medical machinery.

‘Someone has seen Theo,’ he blurts urgently. ‘Down by the docks, entering a less-than-reputable fight club.’

My mouth opens to tell him I’ve found Theo, but no words come. My mind is too busy absorbing what I’ve been told and what it means. A fight club?

‘Izzy, there’s only one reason he’d go there,’ Callum goes on. ‘A fighter. He hates Theo. He’s been trying to get him in the cage for years.’ Callum is puffing over his words, and I conclude it’s because he’s running.

‘Why does he hate Theo?’

‘Because Theo beat his brother into a coma,’ he says gravely, and I inhale. ‘It was years ago. I’m heading down there now. I just wanted you to be prepared for the worst.’

Prepared for the worst? I peek around the corner again, seeing wires, machinery, and Theo’s battered body. I’m looking at the worst. He went to fight someone? I close my eyes, hating what I know to be true. He was punishing himself. He allowed himself to be beaten. Penance.

‘Izzy, are you hearing me?’ Callum’s impatient voice wakes me from my thoughts, pulling me back into the hospital where Theo is lying, barely alive, and where his friend is on the phone telling me he might have found him.

I shake myself to life, turning away from Theo and walking down the corridor. ‘Callum, I’m with Theo.’

‘What?’

‘At the hospital. Theo was brought in as an emergency. He was found by the docks half-dead.’

There’s silence, no more puffing or sounds of exertion. Just a long, lingering, shocked silence.

‘Callum? Are you there?’

‘Half-dead?’ he finally whispers.

I can feel my voice is going to tremble if I speak, so I wait a few moments before I do, swallowing repeatedly while I find the strength I need to give Callum the details without falling apart. ‘It’s bad, Callum,’ I explain. Another swallow. ‘Broken ribs, punctured lung. His injuries are extensive. And internal bleeding is suspected. He arrested.’ I close my eyes and try not to relive the horror of that moment. ‘They got him back, but he’s in a coma. He’s been stabilized and is being sent for X-rays and scans before being transferred to ICU.’

‘Jesus,’ he gasps. ‘What the fuck?’

‘Punishment,’ I tell him flatly, seeing no point withholding what I know. ‘He was punishing himself.’

Callum doesn’t bother countering my claim. He knows, too. ‘The stupid bastard.’ There’s emotion in his voice that I can appreciate and empathize with. ‘You’re there on your own?’

‘I didn’t get a moment to call.’ I feel terrible now, but the thought didn’t even enter my head. ‘It was all a bit . . . frantic. Then when they got a heartbeat back, he kept moving every time a nurse tried to get a line in. I had to do it all myself.’

He laughs lightly in understanding. ‘Unbelievable.’

I smile. It really is. ‘He knew I was here, Callum. He was gone, but he knew I was here.’

‘I have no doubt, Izzy,’ he replies softly. ‘I have no doubt. I’m on my way.’

‘Call Judy,’ I blurt, thinking I’d better brace myself for more tears. Judy’s going to see the condition of her son and lose sight of the fact that he’s actually been found.

‘I’ll pick her up on the way.’ He disconnects, and I hold the phone to my chest, preparing myself to call Jess and go over it all again.