Chapter 10

I woke early the next day and was soon out of bed, Nurse Dom took me down to the shower rooms before breakfast, and I was soon as clean as a new pin. I had no clothes, and I did not know anyone in the area well another to bring me any, so I would be going home in hospital pyjamas. I guess it did not matter as I was going home in an ambulance.

Once I was back in my room, I got the few items I had gathered during my time there in pile. Dom got an old shopping bag for me, and I put all my gear in that.

The breakfast trolley came around but I just had some coffee, I was not hungry. As I was drinking it Nurse Amy came in to say goodbye, she slipped me her phone number and we had a quick kiss.

I told her I would be in touch soon. A few minutes later Nurse Prisha came into my room and hugged me, she asked me for my number, and she made a note of it on her phone before kissing me and leaving me.

My next visitor was a lady from the Pharmacy, she had a pile of painkillers and stuff. She told me the rules and regs about how to take them, and then she left me to read some pamphlets.

A few minutes after Amy came back with two ambulance drivers.

“Right Zak, your limousine is here,” she said with a smile. “And please take care of yourself.”

She gave me a wink and a hug, and as she hugged me, she whispered into my ear.

“I can’t wait to come and see you soon” she purred.

The ambulance crew were happy for me to let me walk out to their vehicle but one of them insisted on carrying my bag. As I left the hospital there were lots of members of staff who wanted to shake hands and say goodbye.

This hero status did not really sit well with me, and I was just eager to get into the ambulance. I was also eager to get home and sit in my favourite chair and chill out.

The ambulance took me straight to my house, and the paramedics helped me in through the front door, luckily the guys who had cut my clothes off when I was taken into the operating theatre had kept my house key safe and sound for me, and the ward sister had given them to me as I left.

It was good to see my house again after what seemed like a lifetime. There was a mountain of mail behind the front door. The paramedics were great, they made sure I was comfortable before they left, I made the effort to appease them by sitting in the chair and flicking the television on.

My Sky Q box was full of recordings, most of which I would never watch.

I sat for a few minutes and got my breath back before thinking about a cup of tea. I hobbled out into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. The smell nearly knocked me out. When I had been resting in my bed in the hospital I had not thought about the house or work...

All the food I had had was now rotten or had gone off, I got a refuse bag and cleared the fridge before filling a bucket with hot soapy water and giving the fridge a thorough cleanout. It was hard work with only one working arm and after half an hour I had to have a sit-down. It took two more sessions to get the fridge clean, once it was done, I poured myself a glass of water and made myself a black coffee, as I was out of milk, and then I went for another sit-down.

I got my laptop fired up and did some online shopping, I had no food in the house, so I did a huge online order with a local supermarket but could only get a delivery slot the following afternoon.

Oh well, I thought to myself, it is black coffee and custard creams for me until my shopping arrived, it was either that or dry crackers as they were the only thing left in the cupboard.

I went through the pile of mail that had stacked up behind the door, there was not much of interest. The recycling pile was much bigger than the pile to be actioned, once that was done, I cleaned down the dross off the skybox and after making another coffee I settle down to watch some cricket I had taped.

I must have drifted off as the telephone ringing made me jump. I got to my feet and picked the handset up.

“Hello, is that Zak?” the voice said.

“Yes, that’s me,” I replied.

“My name is Emily, and I work for social services,” she said. she had a smiley voice. She sounded very young and very enthusiastic.

“Oh hello, “I replied.

I remember that Doctor Kohli had told me that he had arranged for social services to work with me over the next three or four weeks whilst I was struggling to get back to normal. I did not think I needed any help but hey if they wanted to throw it at me who was I to refuse?

“I am due to come and visit you later today and wondered if there was anything you needed,” she said, she sounded young and friendly.

“I could do with some bits and pieces of shopping if that’s okay,” I asked. I was not sure what the remit of the careers was, but I thought I would chance my arm anyway.

“Sure, what do you need,” she asked.

“Some milk, a box of cornflakes, a medium-sliced loaf of brown bread, some cheddar cheese and some onions please,” I told her.

“Are you sure that’s all you need?” she asked.

“Yes, thanks I have got a supermarket order coming tomorrow but that will keep me going “I replied.

“Okay no worries I will see you in an hour or so,” Emily said and hung up.

I went back into the living room and watched some more rubbish TV. It was an hour and a half later that Emily turned up, she knocked on the door and when I went to answer she was carrying two shopping bags. I ushered her in, and she placed the bags in the kitchen.

She was a cute young thing with her blonde hair in a ponytail. She had on trainers, leggings, and a purple tabard. She had bright blue eyes and a sparkling smile.

“Hello Zak, I am Emily, “she said, “how about you go and sit down, and I will make us a brew and we can do the paperwork before I get started.

“I can make the drinks,” I said and gave her a cheeky wink

“Hey, I am here to care for you, “she said and ushered me into the living room.

“So, do you prefer tea or coffee?” she asked with a smile.

“Coffee please, milk no sugar,” I said as I sat down. I watched as she left the room.

I heard the tap running and the kettle boiling, then I could tell she was putting stuff in the fridge.

Minutes later she came into the room with a tray with two coffees and a plate full of biscuits. She passed me a mug and sat down on the sofa opposite me. I had my wallet on the seat next to me and I passed her a twenty-pound note.

“That is for the shopping, “I told her as I passed it across.

“I have no change and It was only a tenner,” she said with a smile.

“That’s cool, keep the rest and treat yourself,” I told her. I figured that she would be on minimum wage and any extra would be a help. It is nice to be nice I think, and it would get me a few brownie points...

“Are you sure?” she asked as she looked at the twenty-pound note.

“Yes, yes I am” I replied.

“Wow okay thank you so much “she gushed.

A silence fell over the room as we both settle back into our seats and sipped from our cups.