In Pieces (36 page)

‘No, I can't stay. Got to get back to finish off the page.' Bill shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

Si realised he hadn't thought about
The Courier
once since the accident. His time there seemed like ancient history. ‘Yeah, of course. How's it going? Dougy treating you well?'

‘It's going great,' Bill brightened. ‘I love the job… You know I really appreciated the way you sorted it at the time so I could take over. I didn't really make it clear at the time, but thanks, you know.'

‘Oh come on, don't make me blush. I'm weepy enough as it is at the moment.' They exchanged a smile. Bill seemed more relaxed now. Si thought with a slight twinge of regret that perhaps he'd been a bit hard on the lad when he'd been his boss.

‘Oh, and by the way, Dougy's no longer at
The Courier
.'

‘What? Did he resign?'

‘No, sacked. Sir Lesley decided he'd had enough of him, for some reason. Nobody really knows why. But some people say it's all tied up with Sir Lesley's new mistress. Some high-class Italian bird. Apparently she took a dislike to Dougy and insisted Sir Lesley put a woman in charge.'

‘So who's the new editor?'

‘Not so new… But I suppose you probably haven't been able to follow the news recently.' Bill stopped, suddenly unsure of himself. Noticing Si's impatience for the name, he went on. ‘Well, do you remember that woman before, you know, before Dougy? Mini Bournemouth? Well, Sir Lesley brought her back.'

‘Wow. I thought she'd retired. Spending more time with her family and all that.'

‘She did. But perhaps she spent too much time with them because…' Bill paused for effect and raised an eyebrow, ‘she got divorced and started editing
Dido
, a new magazine for highbrow professional women. And that's how she met the boss's aristocratic Italian floozy. I imagine it can't have been easy for Sir Lesley to swallow his pride, not after he'd sacked her only a year before. But as far as he's concerned, what Carla says goes these days.' They both laughed at the thought of
The Courier's
unloved owner having to grovel to Mini Bournemouth. ‘Apparently, she demanded serious money to come back. But he paid up. He had to.'

‘Extraordinary. The world keeps turning, eh?'

‘Sorry?'

‘Oh nothing, just thinking out loud. So, what's she like to work for, this Mini? She left just before I arrived.'

‘She's a tough cookie and I've heard some of the old hands say her sense of humour has suffered since losing her husband to a nineteen-year-old bimbo, but she's much better than Dougy. We seem to have hit it off okay. And she was really sweet when I broke my news…'

‘What news?' Si interrupted Bill's breathless flow.

Bill looked surprised. ‘Oh, didn't you know?'

‘What?'

‘Well, I suppose you've been out of touch for a while and all….'

‘What?' Si wanted to know.

‘Well, I came out in August. It just suddenly became obvious that it was the right thing to do. And God, what a relief. I can't tell you how much better I feel now.'

This hit Si like a bolt from the blue. He'd never for a moment considered Bill might be gay. Extrovert, trying to make a point, a fashion victim… All these, yes. But gay, no. God, how dense he was. Talk about wrapped up in his own world and impervious to others…

The situation was new to Si; he wondered what he should say? ‘Congratulations'? ‘Yeah, great'? ‘I never imagined…'? Now it was his turn to be stuck for words. ‘But isn't that fantastic?'

Bill nodded, clearly pleased by Si's reaction.

‘Have you told your parents?'

‘Yeah, they were really cool about it. Amazing to think I was so terrified. I guess until you test them, you never really know how they're going to react. I went up to Scotland especially to tell them, and all my family are being excellent.'

‘Great.' Si wondered what to say next. ‘So do you have a steady boyfriend?'

Bill laughed loudly. ‘Steady? God, no. The steadiest thing I've got is a hangover. I also have a nipple ring.' He laughed again.

Si realised his eyes were as wide as plates. But he found he couldn't do anything to look less surprised.

If he noticed Bill didn't show it. ‘I'm just having fun. I don't want to tie myself down yet. No commitment, that's my motto. And I'm having a ball.' A wicked grin spread from ear to ear.

‘Great. I'm really glad things are going well for you.'

‘Listen, I must go. I've stayed far too long as it is. Oh, and before I forget, everyone sent love and said to get well soon. They want to do a feature on you, I think. But I'll try and hold them off for as long as possible.'

‘Thanks. Please do. I can't think of anything worse than being interviewed. And Bill…'

‘Yes?'

‘I appreciate you coming.' Bill raised a camp eyebrow and Si reddened. ‘You know what I mean,' he said. They both laughed again and Bill left.

~

A week later, Penny pushed a wheelchair into the room. ‘What's that for?'

‘You, of course. The doctor says you're now strong enough to join the walking wounded.'

‘Walking?' Si cast her a sarcastic look. ‘You reckon?'

Penny was unmoved. ‘If not actually
walking
, then let's say the
rolling
wounded. Okay?'

Si groaned. He didn't feel ready for such a big challenge. ‘Do I have to?'

‘Of course. You can't lie in bed forever you know. You've got to get up and about. Come on, brighten up. You'll enjoy it. Just think, you can visit Mary.'

‘Really?' Although Si knew Mary was in the same hospital and had spoken to her on the phone, he hadn't imagined she was so close. ‘How far away is she?'

‘Not far… Up one floor and a couple of wards across, in North Wing.' This meant little to Si as since his arrival he'd spent all his time in his room. But, for Mary, he was prepared to make the effort and explore.

~

Si scooted along the shiny corridor, his rubber wheels squeaking when he turned corners. He negotiated the lift without mishap—why, he wondered, had it seemed such an obstacle during the two days in which he'd mentally planned this trip? He'd even made Penny sketch him a floor plan of the hospital. But now, after short recces into the ward and offices surrounding his room, he was on his way.

The North Wing was a recent extension to the old Edwardian hospital. As he came out of the lift, Si immediately felt the difference. Everything was brighter, slicker and more modern. It felt more like an art gallery than a hospital. Si imagined that even the scalpels were sharper round here. He followed the directions Penny had given him and wondered if he'd been right to refuse her assistance. She'd
wanted to push his wheelchair, but they both knew the offer had little to do with Si's physical strength. He'd already proved he could manoeuvre his vehicle. Penny's concern stemmed from the conversations they'd had about Mary, particularly Si's fears that she might blame him in some way for her injuries.

‘Don't be ridiculous. You didn't set the bomb off.'

‘No, I know. But I did set up the lunch. Any other day and it would have been fine, but…' Si's self-confidence seemed to have been as wounded as his flesh.

‘Twaddle. Now look. She'll be dying to see you. Didn't she say so on the phone?'

‘Yes, but…'

‘No buts. Okay?' Penny's tough look, a look Si had come to recognise meant no nonsense, calmed him.

But now that he was about to reach her ward, his resolve was faltering. ‘I'd like to see Mary Cunningham, please.'

The nurse behind the desk looked at him. ‘Are you her boyfriend?'

‘Yes, I am.'

‘Well, she's been expecting you. Come on, I'll take you down.' The nurse took a firm hold of his wheelchair and manoeuvred him expertly down the corridor. Si sank back and suddenly realised he was exhausted. The effort of getting to the ward had been the most exercise he'd done since the bomb.

The nurse stopped outside a swing door with a porthole above Si's head. She peeked through and then entered. ‘I won't be a moment. Don't run away now.' She threw a parting grin at him and winked.

Si waited for what seemed like an hour. He wanted to stand up and look through the window to see what was going on. But his legs weren't up to that yet. They were still covered in starry red scars, and the deep wound on his groin, where a piece of glass the size of a sideplate had sliced him, was still extremely delicate.

‘Okay, let's be seeing you then,' the nurse said cheerily. She made to push the wheelchair forward.

‘No, it's okay. I'll do it.'

Something in Si's look must have struck her because she backed off without a word. Smiling encouragement, she held the door open.

The first thing that Si noticed was that Mary was not alone. An old lady stood between him and the bed. She had a short white bob and wore a tweed skirt and cream blouse. Her ruddy complexion betrayed a country life. She watched him intently as he paused in the doorway.

Beyond her Si could make out Mary's head on the pillow, the rest of her body concealed beneath white sheets arranged in a strange shape—presumably they concealed various contraptions to take the weight of the bedclothes. He'd been warned that she had been ‘very unwell' and that she was still a long way from recovery. But he hadn't expected to find her such an invalid.

‘You must be Simon.' Elspeth stepped forward. ‘Come on in, my dear, we've been expecting you.'

Si trundled forward. Mary's grandmother was more or less as he'd expected, only more so. Her presence seemed to exude calm. But Si couldn't make the jump from this lady to Mary's prissy mother. Perhaps Beatrice Cunningham had been adopted?

‘I'm afraid she's dozed off, but I imagine she'll wake any minute.' Elspeth looked at him gently. ‘She's been so looking forward to seeing you.'

‘It's nice to meet you. I mean, having heard so much about you.'

‘Yes, and you, dear.' Elspeth gave him a knowing look. ‘I'd expected Mary to bring you down to see me at some stage, but one never knows what the future holds…'

Si nodded. ‘How is she?'

‘Better. Better than she was, that is. She can now sleep by herself, which is a blessing. Before she would have woken up every hour but for the sedation.' Silence descended on the room.

Si plucked up courage. ‘Will she walk…again? You know what I mean?'

Elspeth pursed her lips. ‘Oh, of course she will. The doctors think it will take time, of course; but yes, she
will
walk.'

Si wasn't entirely convinced. Elspeth seemed to be reassuring herself rather than him. But now wasn't the time to challenge her. ‘If you don't mind me asking, has she said anything about me?'

‘Oh goodness, yes, of course she has. Lots, in fact.'

Si persevered. ‘I mean, I've been really worried that she'll blame me for what happened.'

Elspeth looked at him maternally and thought for a moment before answering. ‘I can't answer that, my dear. You'll need to ask her.'

A thin voice from behind her made an inaudible sound. Elspeth turned to face the bed and Si edged forwards, his hands on the wheelrims.

‘Sorry, darling, what's that you said?'

This time the voice was stronger. ‘I want to see him…'

Si could hear the pain riding on each syllable. In response to Elspeth's gesture he rolled up to the bedside so that his head was level with Mary's chest. Her eyes were open and staring at the ceiling. He tried to read her expression, but the neutral cast was inscrutable. Taking a deep breath, his heart beating madly, he spoke in a hoarse whisper. ‘Mary… It's Si.'

Mary's lips twitched. With what was obviously a great effort, she twisted her neck about thirty degrees towards him. Si leaned forward to rest his elbows on the bed.

‘Thank you for coming to see me.'

He choked back the emotion which threatened to betray him. He had decided to be strong and his resolve was being tested to the full. ‘I've missed you.'

The response came clear and quick. ‘Me too.' At last, Mary managed to move her head far enough to see him. The effect was instantaneous. Her smile shone through and the passive veil evaporated. ‘Oh Si… What a pair we are.'

In the many scenarios Si had imagined for their first reunion, this had not featured. He was unsure what to say. ‘How do you mean?'

‘Well, you know… We're not exactly the most mobile of couples are we?'

If it hadn't hurt so much, Si would have laughed with relief. ‘I suppose not. Never a dull moment with us.'

‘No. Never.' They looked at each other in silence. It seemed to Si that he was seeing Mary for the first time.

Elspeth discreetly backed out of the door. Passing the nurse in the corridor, she smiled. ‘Pure Tristan and Isolde. I think she'll be okay now.'

The nurse nodded sagely. This eccentric old woman had certainly added colour to the ward in the past few weeks, although it was often difficult to understand what she was on about.

‘Oh, and nurse?'

‘Yes?'

Elspeth put a bony finger to her cracked lips. ‘Shhh… I wouldn't bother disturbing them for a while. They've got quite a lot to catch up on.'

With a slight spring in her step and feeling lighter of heart than she had since hearing of her granddaughter's injuries, Elspeth walked towards the hospital gardens. It was high time she got some fresh air. She'd been cooped up in that room for far too long without a break. Yes, some fresh air and a few laps of the little garden; that should do the trick.

~

The ambulance dropped Si off at his flat. A golden light blurred the edges of the Georgian buildings, but only a few parchment leaves remained on the trees lining the street. Last time he'd been here, it had been a scorching summer's day and the fully laden trees had cast a deep, dappling shade over the pavement.