Page 30 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
The woman pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure. He’s supposed to wait for the consultant to make one more round this evening. Then, all being well, he’ll be able to go home as soon as we’ve got the discharge paperwork sorted out.’
‘So, he’ll be able to come home later today?’ said Danny, already dreading telling his dad there would be a delay.
‘Probably more like tomorrow morning, if I’m honest. These things take time.’
‘Well, I guess I should warn you that he’s given me ten minutes before he “checks himself out”,’ said Danny.
‘Ah,’ said the woman. ‘Right. Well, he’s within his rights to do that, of course, but I’d strongly advise that he stays put until he’s seen the consultant.’
‘I’ve got a nasty feeling that’s not going to happen,’ sighed Danny, suddenly feeling exhausted.
‘How about you go back in there and do your best to distract him for as long as you can,’ said the woman. ‘I’ll make some calls and see what we can do.’
‘Really?’ said Danny.
‘I’ll do my best,’ said the woman, patting him on the arm. ‘I’m not promising anything, though.’
‘You’re a hero,’ said Danny, ‘thank you.’
‘Look, it’s nearly lunchtime. Why don’t you grab your dad’s tray from the trolley and take it in?’ she said. ‘And maybe get yourself something from the vending machine while you’re at it. You look like you could do with some sugar… and it might buy you some time.’
Danny did his best to hold his breath as he pushed his way backwards into his dad’s room. The stench of over-boiled cabbage wafting up from the lukewarm plate of food he was carrying was turning his stomach. The kind woman in charge of the trolley had offered him a meal too, but Danny was glad now that he’d opted to stick with a packet of crisps and a can of Coke from the vending machine.
‘You certainly took your time,’ huffed Keith. The frown he shot at the tray was enough to make Danny feel like he was about to be grounded for at least a month. ‘What’s that?’
‘It’s your lunch,’ said Danny. ‘You’re the one who ordered it, so don’t go blaming me!’
‘It was either that or cauliflower curry. What would you have done?’
‘Okay, you’ve got a point,’ said Danny, pulling a face.
‘Anyway,’ said Keith, wrinkling his nose, ‘I’m not eating that. I’ll wait until we get home.’
‘About that,’ said Danny, setting the tray down on the little bedside table and backing away before he gagged from the farty stench.
‘Donottell me I’m stuck here.’
‘Okay, I won’t,’ laughed Danny. ‘The receptionist has gone to find out what’s happening. Apparently, you’re meant to stay until the consultant’s been around again.’
His dad let out a grunt. ‘When will that be?’
‘She said this evening.’
‘Nope, not doing it.’ He started to get to his feet.
‘Dad, give it a break,’ said Danny. ‘Seriously, just sit down and chill out. Let’s wait until we know what’s happening and go from there, okay? She said she’ll do what she can. Give the poor woman a chance to at least try and help you.’
Keith slumped back down, still grumbling, then leaned over and picked up his lunch with his good hand. Danny wrinkled his nose and cracked open his can of Coke. Maybe the flavour and fizz might help block the smell of ancient cabbage a bit.
‘Are you seriously going to eat that?’ he said, watching as his dad awkwardly balanced the plate on his knees.
‘Needs must,’ muttered Keith. ‘I’m starving. Breaking your wrist makes you feel like you want to eat a horse!’
‘It’s probably the painkillers,’ chuckled Danny.
‘You might be right about that,’ mumbled Keith around a huge forkful of lumpy mashed potato.
‘Good reason to hang around for a bit longer—you’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of painkillers to take home with you,’ said Danny. ‘And maybe some sleeping pills, too… so I can slip them in your drink when you get too much to handle!’
