Dark Side of the Street - Jack Higgins [25]
"How are you feeling?"
"A bit light-headed and my mouth's very dry."
"After-effects of the anaesthetic, that's all. Nothing to worry about." The Nigerian poured water into a glass from a jug on the bedside locker. "Drink this--you'll feel a lot better."
Chavasse did as he was told and then lay back. "What about my arm--is it serious?"
The Nigerian shook his head and grinned. "You'll play the violin again, isn't that what they would say on television? Thirteen stitches--I hope you are not superstitious, but I couldn't find room for an extra one."
"Are you sending me straight back?"
"To Fridaythorpe?" There was something close to compassion in the Nigerian's eyes when he replied. "No, I think we'll hang on to you for a day or two."
Chavasse tried hard not to show his relief, but in his weakened state found it impossible. "What about Youngblood--is he very ill?"
The Nigerian shrugged. "A second stroke is never a good thing. We'll know more after our tests tomorrow. But we've talked long enough. Now you must sleep again."
He went out and they locked the door behind him. The two screws went back to their card game and Chavasse turned and looked at Youngblood. He was sleeping peacefully, his face in repose looking strangely innocent. Chavasse took a deep breath. So--the stage was set? He wondered what the next act would be and still wondering, drifted into sleep.
When he next awakened it was night and the ward was a place of shadows, rain drumming against the windows. One of the prison officers slept soundly on an unoccupied bed, the other read a magazine at the table.
He glanced across as Chavasse stirred. "Are you all right?"
Chavasse nodded. "I think I'll take a walk."
He swung his legs to the floor, sat there for a moment and then got to his feet and walked to the washroom at the other end of the ward. It could have been worse--much worse and on the way back he felt even better.
When he sat down again on the edge of his bed he realised, with something of a shock, that Youngblood's eyes were wide open. He stared at Chavasse strangely, a slight frown on his face and Chavasse pulled a chair forward and sat down beside him.
"How are you feeling, Harry?"
"What is this?" Youngblood said. "What's going on?"
"You're in the closed ward at Manningham General. You had another stroke."
"What are you doing here?"
"When you blew your top at Fridaythorpe you almost went headfirst into the machinery. I caught you just in time. Opened up my arm on the grinding wheel in the process."
"Is it bad?"
"Thirteen stitches--could be worse. They're keeping me here for a couple of days."
The prison officer at the table make a quick phone call and then came over. "I've sent for the doctor. How do you feel?"
"Hungry as hell," Youngblood said. "Any chance of a meal?"
"We'll see what he says."
A moment later there was a knock at the door and he opened it to admit the Nigerian. He crossed to Youngblood's bed, sat down and made a quick examination. "Good--very good. You feel better for your sleep."
"What he really needs is something to eat," Chavasse said. "And so do I. We're both starving."
The Nigerian smiled. "I'll see what I can do, but you must get back into bed." He turned to the prison officer. "I'll tell the kitchen to send something up." Mr. Carter. I'm going off duty now, but my colleague, Dr. Mackenzie, will be taking over. If you need anything, ring through to night sister, but in any case, he'll be looking in later on."
Carter locked the door behind him and returned to the bed. He was a middle-aged, rather kindly man who was thought by most of his colleagues to be too soft.
"Anything I can do for you?"
"I could manage a visit to the washroom," Youngblood said. "I never could stand these damned bedpans. Maybe you and Drummond could give me a hand."
They took him between them, Chavasse on the left so that he could use his good arm. He walked very slowly like an old man and they had to support almost his whole weight. Chavasse was sure he was bluffing, yet on the way back there was sweat on his forehead and when they