*themes of grief and long-term illness of loved ones
MAY: GILBERT and ANDIE are stood in the orchard laughing.
Andie: I'm bloody starving. Wasting away.
She turns to shout at JOHN who is 20 metres away.
UNCLE JOHN! SHALL I START SUPPER? UNCLE JOHN?
JOHN has collapsed in the field.
Gilbert! Gilbert!
They rush towards him.
PATRICK! PATRICK!
PATRICK comes running. He and GILBERT carry JOHN into the house and into his bedroom. ANDIE picks up GILBERT'S bike, gets on and cycles as hard as she can to MRS LYNDE's. She nearly crashes into their fence.
Andie: MRS LYNDE! MRS LYNDE! DOCTOR! DOCTOR!
Mrs LYNDE comes out in a flash.
Mrs Lynde: TOMAS!
TOMAS comes out and immediately goes to get a horse.
Who is it, my dear? Who is it?
Andie: It's John! It's John! Oh my god.
She gets off the bike and MRS LYNDE opens her arms.
He collapsed in the field. It's happening again. It's happening again.
MRS LYNDE hugs her while ANDIE sobs.
Mrs Lynde: Now, now. Tomos will get a doctor, don't you worry. Don't you worry. I'll come with you now, come on.
ANDIE picks up the bike and they walk back to the house.
A few hours later, the doctor is there. Both ANDIE and GILBERT's eyes are bloodshot. They are stood in the kitchen, silent. The DOCTOR emerges looking grave.
Gilbert: Doctor?
Doctor: You might want to sit.
ANDIE does so, pulling GILBERT into the chair next to her.
It's in his lungs. There is swelling, on his oesophagus and I can hear liquid on his lungs.
Gilbert: How long until he's better?
The doctor doesn't speak, leading GILBERT and ANDIE to understand.
What can we do to help him get well again?
Doctor: Well, now, keep him warm but he needs clean, fresh air. Plenty of fluids. Plenty of rest.
Andie: Anti-biotics?
Doctor: Anti-pardon?
Andie: Penicillin? Amoxicillin? Any kind of cillin?
Doctor: Dear, you are, you are clearly distressed, perhaps you should lie down. A loved one ill can be overwhelming for young women, especially.
The doctor turns to GILBERT as if ANDIE is not in the room.
Delicate, emotional.
He turns back to ANDIE who is frustrated.
Perhaps you should prepare us a spot of tea to distract yourself.
Andie: Doctor, is there any medicine we can give him?
Doctor: Oh, very little dear, except for the pain perhaps. Either Mr Blythe's condition will improve, or it won't. I've given him something, something now to help him sleep. I will come again in the morning.
YOU ARE READING
Anne with an E: Andie with an IE
FanfictionAndie: First option, I am in a coma and this is my coma-dream. Second option, I am already dead and purgatory is based in 19th Century Canada. I mean...that would make sense. Everyone here is god-fearing. But also you've got a heavy-duty patriarchy...
