Parallel Me

Parallel Me Part 15

"Hi, you want to do the rounds of the gardens, it might be better to do the perimeter walk; it's a flatter walking surface. I'm going with you in case you need help, the wheelchair coming with us in case it's needed." He said before I could protest about the wheelchair, and he was right of cause. Because after we had gingerly walked for five minutes, he gave me the wheelchair to lean on.

"You've been off your legs for over a month my friend; you're doing well to be upon them already, after just four days of coming around from that coma. Your muscles will still be weak from inactivity I reckon a few more days, and you're going to be jogging around this track." I smiled because I surely hoped so; I was impatient to get on with my life. Then as we ambled around the corner of the main building, there was a single-story building set off to the side. The front of it was all glass, but with the sun reflecting off it I couldn't see what was inside from where we were.

"That's the physiotherapy block; you're booked in there next week. I heard John the head physiotherapist, telling the Doc he'd get you in there on Monday. He's pleased with the way you're responding, and thinks water therapy will help you." I was pleased to hear that, I liked swimming and I had built up my muscles doing water excurses.

"Can we go in to look around," I asked Simon as we neared the door and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't see why not, John will be in there it's not four yet." He said opening the door to let me in, and John looked up from his kneeling position by the pool. He was holding a water testing kit and must have been testing the water.

"Hi you finally got out of the main building I see, Sister Ellis said you wouldn't take long. How do you feel about starting exercising, over here on Monday I've got an hour slot vacant?" I looked at him, and I think he knew what was coming. Because he was already beginning to smile as I started to say.

"How about I start tomorrow, I'm sure I can slip out under Sister Ellis's nose!" I said grinning at him, but knowing what was to come.

"No way now get out of here, I'm due to see you tomorrow keep doing the exercises." Simon and I continued our walk and got back to the ward at four-thirty.

"Good your back, you're getting a visit from Commander Gardener tomorrow morning. He rang just after four to inform us and wanted to speak to you. He sounded quite pleased when the Doctor said you were not available because you were out exercising."

"He will be here at ten hundred hours, he said then rang off." Sister Ellis said as she straightened the bedclothes after I had got into my bed.

"Is he as nice as your other friend the Admiral?" She asked then pulled a face as she saw mine, as I shook my head.

"Oh dear, I'd better let the staff know, they have to be on their best behaviour if that's the case. I'm off duty now, I'll see you in the morning and don't spend all night exercising!" She gave me a dirty look when I said.

"Now would I do that Sister?"

He was dead on time, and word came from the main gate when his car arrived. There was a flurry of activity, and then all went siren, as nurses and orderlies went about their duties, with an air of charm efficiency and dedication. I heard the Commander turn down the offer of a tour, from the Doctor but accepted a coffee from Sister Caroline. He was all smiles when he came into my room.

"Good morning Petty Officer, I hear you're coming along nicely. The First Sea Lord was shocked and surprised, to hear you were in Israeli and in that explosion. We've looked into it, and found we cannot do anything oafishly as you were there as a tourist. Although as a naval rating, we did all we could do to repatriate you under difficult circumstances, but enough of that worry, you're here now and doing better than expected I hear. The First Sea Lord is pleased to hear that, as he has a proposition to put to you, as soon as you're well enough he will invite you to listen to his ideas. Oh, and by the way, your promotion has come through, congratulations Chef Petty Officer Lacey." The Admiral had already warned me of the sweetener, so I had to look surprised.