Before I Saw You(9)

8


Alfie





He knew his neighbour had arrived the moment he woke up. The curtains around the bay next to him were fully closed, and from inside he could hear the familiar sound of Nurse Angles running through her routine introduction. It was a rare occurrence to transfer people at night, so everyone on the ward knew the red carpet really was being rolled out. Alfie could see the familiar faces of the other patients craning their necks to try and sneak a glimpse, as Nurse Angles expertly extracted herself from the curtains without revealing an inch of what lay within.

‘Did you see her?’ Mr Peterson mouthed, waving at him from across the room.

Alfie shook his head; it was too early and he was too tired from a rather disturbed night’s sleep to respond properly. He tried to settle himself back down, longing for a few more hours of rest to help him get through the day. But just as he closed his eyes he heard it.

A cough. A ragged, heavy and painful cough coming from behind the tightly closed curtains.

He bit his tongue and resisted asking if everything was OK. The sound alone told him it was a no. The rest of the morning followed the same pattern. Silence punctuated by that excruciating cough, over and over again. It took Alfie a huge amount of self-control to stay quiet. It was in his nature to care; in fact, all Alfie ever wanted to do was help. That desire for good coupled with his uncanny ability to connect with people was the main reason why Alfie was so good at his job. ‘Those that can’t, teach’ everyone would joke. Fuck that, he always said. Those that can change lives, teach. But he had promised Nurse Angles to stay clear, and so he needed to be cautious.

For the rest of the day, Alfie did his best to distract himself. He managed to pass a good hour or two with his puzzle books, but it was hard not to get caught up in the hushed excitement that was mounting in the ward. The nurses would come and go, talking at her as they went, but still the lady behind the curtain said nothing. The other patients became so intrigued as to who the mysterious new guest was that they started to gather in small groups, whispering their suspicions and throwing wild guesses around like confetti.

‘Do you think she’s even in there?’ Jackie asked.

‘This isn’t some elaborate joke they’re playing on us! Of course she’s in there.’ Mr Peterson laughed dismissively.

‘I’m going to ask the nurses about her. The young ones always let slip things they shouldn’t.’ Sharon’s voice rose in excitement.

Alfie lay in his bed, half listening to the mutterings of his friends and half worrying that the lady next to him could hear them. Maybe she was asleep? Perhaps that would explain her silence.

‘Can we not just stand around here like lemons, please?’ One of the nurses strode through the ward. ‘Surely you have better things to do with your time?’

His friends shifted uncomfortably.

‘There is one thing we need to discuss,’ another of the younger, more enthusiastic nurses chimed in. ‘What film are we going to watch for movie night tonight?’

‘Pretty Woman!’

‘Oh, give it a rest, Sharon, you know you’re the only one who wants to watch that godawful film. Plus, it’s not exactly pro-feminism, is it?’ Mr Peterson said.

‘Stop being such a grumpy old git. Instead of moaning about everyone else’s choices, why don’t you suggest something?’

‘Yeah, Mr P, why don’t you pick something tonight?’ Alfie piped up, sitting a little taller in bed.

‘Ach no, I can’t be doing with all that decision making. Is Ruby coming in tonight, Jackie?’

‘Yeah, Mum and Dad are bringing her in after school. She should be here soon.’ Jackie checked her watch anxiously.

‘Well then, the decision is made for us, isn’t it?’ Mr Peterson said, looking around at the other patients.

‘Finding Dory it is!’ The younger nurse laughed.

‘I am going to be able to recite that film word for word by the time I leave this place,’ the old man grumbled, making his way slowly back to his bed.

‘Oh, come off it. You know you love it, even if it’s just to see the look on Rubes’s face when you tell her we’re watching it,’ Alfie called out to him.

Jackie and Ruby’s story had been one of the most tragic Alfie had come across during his time in hospital. Despite her only being a visitor, everyone on Moira Gladstone seemed to go out of their way to make the hospital feel like home for Ruby. Even the nurses didn’t mind creating more work for themselves if it meant making Ruby’s smile a little bigger. It took a certain kind of person to say no to a six-year-old girl whose dad had died from cancer a year ago and whose mum was currently in a rehabilitation unit, recovering from a stroke.

‘Hey, old man, while you’re up, do you fancy going for a stroll?’

‘Old man! The bloody cheek of it!’ Mr Peterson grumbled. ‘But fine, I could do with a muffin anyway, I’m starving.’

‘I’m not sure Agnes would agree with that. Aren’t you meant to be on a new health regime?’

Mr Peterson didn’t even bother to respond; the murderous glare was enough. Agnes was the love of his life, but apparently not even sixty-four years of marriage could keep the old man away from his cake.

‘Noted. No new health regime.’ Alfie chuckled to himself as he swapped his crutches for his prosthesis. He’d thought over time he’d get used to it, but even the sight of the plastic limb made him angry. It had hurt at first. So badly he’d cry out with every step. Hours and hours of ruthless physio had taught him well, but his walk was still marred by signs of discomfort. He was slow, uneven, and he’d often have to stop for breaks. His strength was up but by no means back to normal, plus his whole body had to constantly adjust and shift its weight to accommodate the new addition attached to him. He tried not to think about how he looked when he walked any more, instead choosing to focus on how lucky he was to have the privilege even to take a step.