It was mid-afternoon by the time Luke arrived at the hospital. He found a parking space and quickly made his way to the entrance, finding out where Bill had been taken and making his way there. The walk seemed endless, but he finally saw Orla pacing the corridor ahead of him.
‘Orla!’ he cried, and she spun around to face him, her complexion pale and her eyes bright with tears.
‘Luke!’
They ran towards each other and fell into an embrace, holding one another so tightly that they could hardly breathe.
‘How are you? How’s Bill?’
‘I’m good. He’s stable.’
‘What happened?’
‘They said it was an abdominal aneurysm.’
‘What’s that? Is it like a burst blood vessel?’
‘Something like that. The doctor said all sorts of strange words that I can’t remember, but poor Bill’s been very lucky, they said.’
‘And he’s going to be all right?’
‘They think so. They had to operate and he’s going to be in intensive care for some time.’
‘Blimey! And Margy. Is she okay?’
‘We couldn’t find her for the longest time, but she’s here now and she’s pretty mad. She doesn’t understand what could have caused it. Bill’s so fit. She doesn’t think it’s fair.’
‘And you – how are you coping? Really?’
‘I’m fine. It was a shock to find him collapsed in his shed.’
‘But you’re all right? I mean, being here?’ Luke stopped. ‘In a hospital, I mean.’
‘Please don’t remind me!’ Orla gave a nervous laugh. Then she took a deep breath. ‘I’m fine. This is about Bill – not me.’
Luke reached out and took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly.
‘Thank you for calling me,’ he said.
‘Thank you for coming.’
It was then that Margy came out into the corridor, her cheeks flushed pink.
‘Luke!’
‘Margy, how are you?’ He took in her tear-stained face, and the fact that she wasn’t holding a pair of knitting needles was a very bad sign.
‘I just want to get back home with my Bill.’
‘How’s he doing?’
‘They’ve sedated him,’ Margy said with a little hiccup of fear. ‘It’s for the best, they tell me. But you can see him if you like.’
‘Can we?’ Orla asked as Margy led the way.
Luke couldn’t help feeling nervous as they approached Bill’s bed.
‘Hey, Bill,’ Luke whispered, feeling a little choked up at seeing his old friend so pale and vulnerable in the hospital bed. Luke was so used to seeing him bare-armed and becapped, a fork in his hand and his face full of sunshine. The contrast between that Bill and this one was startling and scary.
‘I haven’t thanked you, Orla,’ Margy suddenly said, touching Orla’s hand gently.
‘You don’t have to thank me!’
‘Oh, but I do! When I think what might have happened . . . if you hadn’t been there . . .’
Orla wrapped her arms around her as the tears began to spill.
‘It’s all right. He’s going to be fine.’
Margy sniffed and nodded.
‘I think we’d better let him rest,’ Luke said.
‘Yes, of course,’ Orla agreed, and she bent forward to kiss Bill’s forehead.
‘Bye, Bill,’ Luke whispered. ‘Rest plenty, now.’
‘Let us know if you need anything, Margy,’ Orla told her. ‘Anything at all.’
She and Luke hugged Margy and then left the ward, standing awkwardly in the corridor for a few moments.
‘Can I give you a ride back to Lorford?’ Luke asked Orla.
‘I don’t want you to go to any trouble.’
‘It’s no trouble. I was kind of hoping my old bed might be available. I mean, if your mother’s not still with you. I don’t really fancy driving back to Kent tonight.’
‘Oh, of course! I’m so sorry, Luke. Yes, please stay.’
‘All right, then. Let’s get you back. I’m sure One Ear will be pleased to see you.’
‘Gosh – One Ear! I have no idea what the time is!’
‘He’ll be fine, I’m sure. I’ll give him a run on the beach if you want to rest.’
They got into the van and Orla immediately closed her eyes. Luke was exhausted after his long drive from Kent, but he guessed that was nothing compared to how Orla must be feeling. She was holding up pretty well, but he guessed that there was more going on with her than she was letting on.
Luke tried to imagine what it must have been like for her to find Bill. Lorford wasn’t the easiest place to get to for an ambulance, and the panic at finding somebody collapsed in the middle of nowhere must have been terrifying. He glanced at her now. She looked so pale and he had a feeling she might actually have fallen asleep. Quietly and as quickly as was safe, Luke drove to the castle.
The village should have been a welcome sight to him, but he was so anxious about both Bill and Orla that he didn’t have time to luxuriate in being back in the place he’d grown to love.
‘Orla?’ he said, reaching across the van to touch her shoulder.
She jumped, her eyes opening.
‘We’re back,’ he told her as she looked around, confused.
‘Was I asleep?’
‘I think so.’
‘Sorry.’
‘It’s okay. Come on – let’s get you inside.’
They got out of the van and walked up the steps to the castle door. One Ear was there to greet them and Luke bent to make a fuss of him.
‘I’ll take you out in a minute, boy,’ he promised. ‘Can I make you some tea, Orla?’
‘Yes,’ she said in a vague sort of way, as if she’d only half heard him.
He watched her drift out of the room and wondered if she was going to lie down. He couldn’t blame her if she was. So he got on with the task of making tea. Sometimes, something as simple as putting a kettle on and finding mugs was calming. It was a familiar ritual that grounded a person, bringing order to
