Page 29 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Yeah, I gathered that much,’ said Danny, praying for calm. ‘But… why? Is there a problem with your heart?’
Keith shook his head. ‘Some poor sap needed my bed on the stroke ward. Emergency. From what I could gather, it sounded like he’s in a bad way…’
He trailed off, and Danny felt a pinch of sympathy. His dad had been relatively lucky this time. If it wasn’t for the cast on his wrist, you’d be hard pressed to tell that there was much wrong with him.
Still, it couldn’t have been easy to watch someone else arriving on the ward with a full-blown stroke in progress. Danny could only imagine thewhat-ifscenarios that must be running through his dad’s head.
Danny cleared his throat, and Keith snapped back to attention, forcing a determined smile onto his face. ‘Anyway, like I said. It’s time to go home. I don’t need to be in here anymore.’
‘Is that what your doctors told you?’ said Danny, making sure his voice was as calm and gentle as possible. If that really was the case, then he’d gladly take him home. But… Danny couldn’t shake the feeling that his dad was trying to rope him into some kind of jail-break scenario.
‘I’m fine,’ muttered Keith. ‘Right as rain. Nothing wrong with me. They’ve done their scans, they’ve checked every inch of me. They’ve even told me what I need to take to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Let’s go!’
Danny shook his head. ‘I think I’d better just nip out and speak to the receptionist first.’
‘I’m a grown man,’ said his dad, with a frustrated wave of his arms. The statement rather lost its punch when he got his cast caught in the strap of his bag.
‘You’re a grown pain in my behind,’ chuckled Danny. ‘Look, we need to make sure your prescriptions are ready before we goanywhere. Why don’t you chill out for ten more minutes? Drink your tea while I go and find out what’s what.’
‘Then we can go?’
‘As long as the docs are happy with it,’ said Danny.
‘Great,’ huffed Keith, slumping back in his chair. ‘Ten minutes – any longer than that, and I’m walking home.’
Danny decided not to comment on the threat. He knew his dad well enough to be fairly sure he wasn’t bluffing. ‘Do you need anything while I’m out there?’
‘Everything I need is at home.’
Danny gave him a little nod and just about managed to restrain an eyeroll as he left the room. Keith Dalton in this mood was a bit like a donkey in a thistle patch—grumpy, stubborn, and definitely not to be reasoned with.
One thing was for sure—if he wasn’t allowed to take him home, Danny wasn’t going to be the one to break the news!
Closing the door gently behind him, Danny leaned against the corridor wall and closed his eyes. Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly, willing his chest to loosen.
His dad was fine. He’d be home soon.
Danny scrunched his eyes tighter, willing the tingling prickle to bugger off. He wouldnotcry. He didn’t have any reason to. This was just the shock of that red herring of a text message working its way out of his system, that was all!
Except… that wasn’t all, was it? Keith Dalton was his only family. Hell, the prickly old git was his best friend, too. Danny couldn’t imagine what his life would be like without him… but these last few days had forced him to face reality.
Without his dad, Danny’s life would be empty.
‘Sir, are you okay?
The gentle voice forced Danny to open his eyes, and he found the same receptionist he’d barked at earlier standing in front of him with a look of concern.
‘I’m… fine.’ Danny cleared his throat and forced himself to smile at the woman. ‘Sorry. For earlier, too. Dad sent me a message and it made it sound like… like…’
He paused again. His voice had just quivered ominously.
‘Room twelve? Keith Dalton?’ said the woman. Danny could swear there was a knowing gleam in her eye.
Danny nodded.
‘Ah yes, our resident rogue,’ said the woman, with a tired smile. ‘He’s been sitting at the side of the bed since he was transferred. Shoes and coat on, bag packed – ready to go.’
‘Sounds about right,’ grunted Danny. ‘So, can I take him home?’
