Page 7 of Deep Down
Chapter 3
Craig
His shoulder was aching, but it was most likely from Craig not wearing his sling all day than the injury itself. He was trying to use his left arm less than his other arm, it wasn’t easy, and he was relieved he could put the sling back on after he finished working, although it would be after he made dinner.
He was finishing up the initial layout for a new customer when there was a knock at the door. Craig frowned. Darren hadn’t told him there would be any deliveries or anything today, although he could have forgotten. He couldn’t ignore it because everyone in the cul-de-sac knew Craig worked from home and never went anywhere. If a delivery driver tried to deliver it to a neighbour, they’d tell him to try his house again.
Craig logged off from his work in case this took longer than a few minutes and strode to the door. He could see the outline of someone moving from side to side through the tempered glass; it was as if they were stepping from one foot to the other. He opened the door and, when he recognised who it was, his heart rate and breathing increased, making him dizzy. He took several steps back as “No, no, no. This can’t be happening,” repeated in his head.
“Why aren’t you wearing the sling?” The sharp reprimand came from the A&E doctor who stood on his front step, frowning at him. He was good looking, although in a more natural way than Darren’s hard-earned muscular sense of the word. What the hell was he doing there? Darren was going to be pissed to find out the doctor had made a house call without letting Darren know beforehand. “Well?”
Craig blinked at the vocal nudge, having not answered the doctor’s first question.
“Um…I’m working. It was getting in the way.” Craig cleared his throat.
“The sling is to stop you from hurting and to make sure your arm heals properly. You need to wear it. How long have you had it off?”
“Since around ten.” Craig bent the truth slightly. He’d not had it on at all that morning because he’d gone straight to work as soon as Darren had left.
The doctor shook his head. “Can I come in and check your shoulder to make sure you’ve not damaged it more?”
It would not be a good idea. Darren would be annoyed enough as it was that the doctor had made a house call but to come in…? What choice did Craig have? If he refused, the doctor might infer there was something to hide and create more issues, whereas if he allowed him to enter, Craig could be checked over, and the doctor would leave within fifteen minutes. He was concerned about the doctor’s questions at the hospital and how it would be perceived if he refused. Clenching his jaw, he opened the door wider and indicated for the doctor to enter.
Closing the front door behind the doctor, Craig led the way to the living room.
“I’m not sure if you remember my name, but I’m Dr Alex Wick.” He held out his hand to shake Craig’s good hand.
“I remember.” Craig kept his gaze on their joined hands before pulling away. “Where do you need me to sit?” He pushed the doctor towards his goal as fast as he could, hopefully minus any alarm bells.
“On the sofa with your injured arm towards me is great, thanks.” The doctor placed his bag on the coffee table and opened it. As he sat, Craig made a mental note to clean the table after he’d left.
“Before I test your shoulder, I’d like to check the pupil of your left eye, make sure there is no damage now the eye is open.” The doctor cupped Craig’s chin, lifting his head as he shone the light towards him. “Look straight at me, please.”
Craig observed the serious expression on Alex’s face, and the slight downward tilt to the corners of his mouth as if he wasn’t happy about something. He also tried to ignore the tingling sensation travelling along the skin, which was being held.
“Now, move your eyes to the left, but keep your face pointing forward.” Craig followed the instructions. “Now to the right.” Craig waited as patiently as he could. “Okay, everything there appears to be healing nicely. You have the obvious blue and purple bruising, which will be there for a few more days before it begins to fade. Obviously, if you have any trouble with your vision, come and get it checked out.” The doctor put away his light. “Okay, let’s examine your shoulder. Could you take your t-shirt off, please?”
Craig slipped it off carefully, knowing if he winced, the doctor would take note. It wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
“Right, I’m going to feel around your joint as I did when you were in A&E.” His hands palpated around the joint, across his shoulder blade, across his collarbone and down his upper arm. Craig felt uncomfortable, but no arrows of pain shot through his body. “It seems okay. It’s healing well. You do need to wear the sling for another day. Your shoulder needs time to heal, or you will have problems with it for the rest of your life.” Dr Wick glared at him with his eyebrows raised.
“Alright.”
“How has your back been?” He rotated Craig away from him and skimmed his lower back.
Goosebumps stole across his skin. “It’s been fine. Doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Any blood in your urine or any pain anywhere else?”
Craig shook his head. “No.”
“Okay.” Dr Wick paused. “Will you allow me to help you put the sling back on?”
Craig gritted his teeth in indecision but nodded. “I’ll go and get it.” He stood, seizing his t-shirt and directed his feet towards his bedroom. Once in the room, he tugged the t-shirt on, snatched the sling and headed back to the living room. Dr Wick was stood in front of the glass display cabinet next to the TV; it was filled with glass paperweights in colourful, intricate designs. It was one of Darren’s indulgences for Craig. For every special occasion, Darren bought him another glass design of some sort to fit in the case with the rest, and Craig loved them.
Dr Wick peered at him. “These must be yours.”
Craig frowned. “How did you know?”
