Page 39 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Oh,’ said Michelle, trying not to smile at his obvious irritation. ‘Maybe they’re just being cautious?’
‘Cautious my arse,’ huffed Keith. ‘It’s bureaucratic nonsense, that’s what it is. But if it’s the only way to get out of this place, I suppose I’ll have to put up with it.’
He stomped over to the wheelchair with all the enthusiasm of a man approaching his own execution. ‘Come on then, let’s getthis farce over with. And don’t you dare make any jokes about me being an invalid.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ said Michelle, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice as she grabbed the handles. ‘So… unwanted furniture, eh? What look are you going for… wardrobe or bookcase?’
Keith peered up at her, his eyebrows bristling, and for a brief moment, Michelle had a feeling she’d just gone too far. Then he threw back his head, and a laugh filled the cabbage-scented room.
The journey from the hospital room to the car park took about three times longer than it should have done for two reasons. The first one was that Keith was constantly trying to get out of the wheelchair to walk. He muttered the entire way about “health and safety gone mad” and “treating grown men like children.”
‘I can walk perfectly well, you know,’ he grumbled as Michelle navigated around a corner. ‘This is completely unnecessary.’
‘I know,’ said Michelle.
The second reason was far more surprising. They had to pause almost every time they passed a member of staff in the corridors, because every single one of them seemed to want to say goodbye to Keith.
‘Did you really know all those people?’ asked Michelle when they finally made it to the lift.
‘Of course,’ said Keith. ‘I’ve been in here for days—plenty of time to get to know everyone. That was Maureen on reception who brought you to me - her grandson’s just started university. Dave the porter supports the wrong football team but makes anexcellent cuppa. He’s promised to come see me next week so that we can watch the game together. Oh, and Dr Williams over there has been trying to convince me to take up yoga.’
‘Yoga?’ Michelle snorted as the lift doors closed.
‘Apparently, it’s good for stress relief,’ said Keith with a perfectly straight face. ‘I told him I’d rather take up wrestling.’
The minute the lift doors opened back up to deposit them in the car park, Keith jumped out of the wheelchair like a man escaping from prison.
‘That’s quite enough of that nonsense,’ he cheered, straightening his shoulders with obvious relief.
Michelle pushed the abandoned wheelchair over to a little holding pen, and when she turned back, Keith was already striding towards the Buick, eyeing its curves with obvious appreciation.
‘Now that is a beautiful sight,’ he said, as Michelle trotted to catch up with him.
‘She’s amazing,’ said Michelle. ‘I can’t believe Danny’s letting me borrow her.’
‘Course he is,’ said Keith, making his way around to the passenger side. ‘Boy’s got excellent taste. In cars and in women. But then… you already know that, seeing as you’re married to him.’
Michelle felt her cheeks glow hot pink. ‘Erm… sorry about the lie,’ she muttered. ‘It was the easiest way to break you out of that place.’
‘Girl after my own heart,’ said Keith, grinning at her. ‘And trust me, Danny won’t complain!’
‘You’re not going to tell him?!’ gasped Michelle.
‘Not if you don’t want me to,’ said Keith with a grin. ‘Being that you’re here and he’s not, I reckon I owe you one. But you have to promise me something too.’
‘What’s that?’ said Michelle, raising an eyebrow.
‘Don’t breathe a word about that wheelchair!’
‘Deal,’ she said quickly. ‘Right then, shall we get you home?’
‘Music to my ears!’ said Keith, settling into the passenger seat.
‘Here we are then,’ said Michelle as she pulled into the Dalton Garage forecourt. ‘Home sweet home.’
‘Actually, sorry to ask, but would you mind driving me around the back?’ said Keith. ‘The house is just behind the garage… and if I’m honest, I’m a bit knackered.’
‘Of course!’ said Michelle, throwing a concerned glance at him.
