Christobel

Christobel Part 12

 

Chapter 12

Chris still hadn't really got used to the comparatively greater opportunity to spend time with his patients. It was certainly a much more relaxed and unhurried atmosphere on the wards of the Friedrich Schiller Klinikum than it had been back at Yeoville. By contrast with the constant, perennially understaffed rush to get five things done simultaneously there, you had time to actually relate to the patients at the FSK. It was wonderful; made the job so much more worthwhile.

Frau Weber – Gertrud – was a case in point. She was a middle-aged cancer patient: primary, in her uterus. She'd had a full hysterectomy to be on the safe side, which would be followed up by a course of chemo for good measure. There were no signs of metastasis so her prognosis was good. She'd been given the blessing of the surgeon and would be leaving hospital today to recuperate at home before returning for her first infusion in a few days' time. Chris liked her. His German was improving rapidly, to the extent that he hardly needed Helga to oversee him now when dealing with patients. So he could talk to her direct and understand nearly all of what she said to him, which was just as well because she was certainly a chatterbox. She could talk the hind legs off of the proverbial donkey.

She was a comfortably plump, blond-fading-to-grey-haired woman who wore an almost permanent smile and had taken the operation in her stride. 'After all,' she had said cheerfully, 'I no longer have need of a womb and the other items; I have made my contribution to the German population. As long as I still have the important thing, to keep my Klaus happy, that is all that matters.'

'Well, me happy too, when I have got over this inconvenience!' she'd added, grinning mischievously. She was relentlessly undaunted, optimistic and cheerful; you had to give her that. One of her sons, Anton, was expected soon to collect her. He was a schoolteacher, Gertrud said, and the best-placed of the family to collect her in the afternoon when the school day had finished.

Chris was not particularly busy and sat on her bed keeping her company for a few minutes, as she sat in the bedside chair, dressed, surrounded by her bags and ready to go. 'What sort of school does your son teach at?' he asked, making small talk.

Gertrud beamed proudly. 'He is at the High School in Hasbergen. Doing very well, as a matter of fact. He will probably be promoted to Head of Department soon. He has applied for the job and expects to get it.'

'Good! What subjects does he teach?'

'Mathematics, mainly. And economics, which is very clever and the same sort of thing, isn't it?' She looked searchingly at Chris, as if he would be certain to know.

Chris laughed. He thought he knew which subjects she was talking about but wasn't certain; his German wasn't that good yet. 'I really do not know. I am only a nurse!'

Gertrud smiled uncertainly too, looking a little disappointed, as if Chris had failed to deliver sufficient validation for her maternal pride.

'But yes, I suppose they are, really,' Chris added hastily. 'And yes, he does sound very clever. Much better educated than me.'

'Oh yes, I think he is!' Gertrud beamed. 'Oh, I am sorry; I mean Anton is very clever, but not more than you.'

'That is all right. Do you have other children too, Frau Weber?'

'Oh yes. I have another son: Christof.'

'Really? What a, er, coincidence – is that the word? That sounds like the German for my name, Christopher. It must be, surely. It is so similar.'

'Yes, you have nearly got it right.' Gertrude spoke it correctly to demonstrate, Zufall. And yes, I am sure it is. It must be. So you are Christopher too!'