“Doc, I have the supply run tomorrow” I tried to get up, but she pushed me back down; she was surprisingly strong for her small size.
“It hurts me to say it George but you’re not going anywhere on that foot. For the next 48 to 72 hours you are going to lie in this bed with your foot elevated, I’ll get you some cold packs to go on it and a support which will help to compress the wound and stop the swelling.”
She turned and walked back through the door before I could argue any more. It was pointless anyway, I was no good to the men like this, I would only hinder them.
“I’m sorry George” Will looked genuinely upset, the corners of his mouth were turned down. I could see the worry in his eyes.
“Hey, it was an accident. I’m sorry I can’t come with you tomorrow. Want to ask if we can wait a few days?” I asked hoping that he would say yes. I was so looking forward to getting out of here for a few hours. Plus, we had become a team; it didn’t feel right with them leaving without me.
“Nah its ok, it’s just a simple run, right? I’ll ask one of the other men to come with me.” He smiled and checked his watch.
We chatted for a while longer about my visit with Nia and the job boards.
It all sounds good, better to be safe than sorry and get the skills we need to survive, you never know what tomorrow will bring.” Was his response when I told him about the training sessions. He smiled and checked his watch.
“I’d better go and round up the other guys to meet in the captain’s office. Ill check back in later.” He left quickly too, I think he was still feeling guilty for putting me in here.
I looked across to Nia, she had slept through it all. She looked so peaceful.
The door opened again, the doctor entered, followed by Amy.
“George this is Nurse May, she will look after you when I’m not around.” She nodded to the nurse standing on my left.
“Please take these” the nurse held out two tablets for me and then a white plastic glass of water.
“No thanks”
She looked at the doctor, unsure on what she should do.
“George, you’ll need the pain meds, they will help you to get comfortable and get the rest that you will need tonight.
“Nope, keep them for Nia.” I shook my head, I would rather Nia get them, she was in hell of a lot more pain than I was. I would get by just fine.
“I’m sure she will appreciate the offer. How about we do a deal?” the doctor had a glint in her eye.
“I’m listening” I looked back at her suspiciously. My eyes flickered to the nurse who was watching our exchange, with interest.
“How about you take these two, just for you to get a good rest tonight and I’ll see that Nia gets your ration of tablets tomorrow afternoon? She already gets her own in the morning and night.” The doctor offered.
If I could help Nia to feel better and to heal quicker than I would “Ok then, sounds good to me” I nodded, the doctor smiled like the cat who got the cream. I had a feeling that she was used to getting her way.
I thanked the nurse and took the two tablets off her, popping the both tablets at once and washing them down with the water that she held out to me.
I swore under my breath and blushed as the doctor raised her eyebrows at me. “Sorry doc, that hurts” she was putting on the stretchy white bandage and placing my leg in a stirrup to keep it elevated.
“Make sure to let either myself or Nurse May know if you need anything. We also have two trainees here called Ben and Nara who will check on you both in the nights.
I nodded, “ok thanks.” I pulled the blanket up over me as best I could. It was chilly in the ward in the evenings.
The Doctor gently woke Nia up for her check-up and tablets.
“What the hell happened to you?” Nia’s eyes were wide in shock at seeing me in the bed across from her.
I explained what had happened to me as the doctor did her thing.
“I think Will just wanted to take me out of action for tomorrow so that he can get all the glory.” I finished smiling widely and tried to reassure Nia that I was ok.
“Nia, do you need anything else?” The doctor asked after Nia had swallowed her pills.
“Oh yes please Doctor Wells, please, please, please make George wear a hospital gown.” Nia’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
“Oh, I will if he’s not a good patient. I’ll go and see if I have any gowns available. Then ill check what’s for dinner. Be good George” the Doctor winked at me and chuckled as she walked away.
“So, I guess were roommates again?” Nia smiled at me.
Maybe this stay wouldn’t be so bad after all, I thought to myself.
Chapter 6
The tablets hit me hard, I remember talking a little with Nia, but that’s it. I couldn’t even remember having dinner. But it was the best night’s sleep that I’d had in weeks, months even. I woke up feeling a lot stronger and a lot more alert than I had done in quite a while. My ankle still throbbed but didn’t hurt unless I tried to put weight on it or bumped it.
