I'm Sick, I'm Tired Of Staying In Control - RW

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

June 2017

A&E in the early hours of a Sunday morning really is an eye opener. It is mainly filled with drunks and people who have been in accidents on nights out and perhaps Cathy is no exception. As soon as her ambulance arrived she was taken straight to have tests and scans done with Rick just looking on in shock having ridden with her in the ambulance. The driver of the tour bus arrived in the next ambulance who also went in Cathy's direction whereas both Simon and Peanut were taken to X-Ray.

It is just chaotic. Ricky has lost track of who he has seen come in and who he hasn't. It hasn't even occurred to him that he might be recognised sat in the waiting room. It isn't long before a nurse takes him into a bay to assess his sore wrist and the clean-up the cut to his eyebrow.

The nurse tries to make conversation with him, mainly to find out if he is suffering from concussion but he isn't giving her anything. Her hands work at cleaning his cut which she then seals with two butterfly stitches. 'Good as new Mr Wilson.' She proclaims. 'I'm just waiting on a wrist support for you, but you've been very lucky. Maybe don't walk around a bus whilst it's in motion.'

'It's quite a long journey from Croyde to Leeds without getting up.' He comments but then realises how rude he sounds. 'Sorry...any news of the woman in the car?'

'She's been very lucky. The police are taking a statement from her currently.' He is told. 'I understand that you know her?'

'From school. Years ago.' He replies, 'Can I see her?'

'If she wants to see you yes.' Another nurse appears with a basic wrist support which the nurse treating Ricky uses. 'I need to do a quick concussion test first.'

'Okay.' He sighs.

'Do you have a headache?' He shakes his head. 'Do you feel dizzy, nauseous or dazed at all?'

'Maybe a little dazed but it is the early hours of the morning.' He jokes in attempt to make him seem okay and all she does is nod.

'And you fully recollect the events of the accident?'

'Yes, I was making some hot drinks and fell forward on impact.'

The nurse decides that he isn't concussed so after making another comment about how lucky he is she pulls back the curtain and points towards the exit of the ward. He turns back to ask her where he might find Cathy but she is already off working on another patient. It really is chaotic. He's not sure how they do it – have all this pressure on them – and there is him getting nervous before going on stage. That is nothing compared to what all these medical professionals do on a daily basis.

It's about five in the morning when he finally gets directions to where Cathy is. She is in a side room being monitored until morning and as he gets there two officers are just leaving; one with a pad in his hands. It doesn't look good. And he is surprised that they've spoken to her so soon after the accident and at this time!

He feels his heart pounding as his knocks on the glass and she turns her head to the left to see who it is. She doesn't know how to react. She can't bring herself to smile or even turn her head away. She just wants to cry...out of relief? Maybe. She lifts up her left arm slightly as a signal that it is okay so tentatively he pushes open the door. Neither of them say a word as he shuts the door behind him before sitting in the plastic chair at her bedside. His eyes glance over her arm in a sling and the wounds which have been dealt with. 'They are going to charge me.' Her voice is croaky so she clears her throat. 'But I can go home. I just want to go home.'

'Is that where you were going?' She nods, 'Where is home?'

'London. South Kensington.'

'That's where I get my hair cut.' This makes her chuckle briefly but it is only brief. The severity of the situation is what is praying on her mind. 'How are your injuries?'