Fortress

29

Blakey lay flat on his back, surrounded by a spaghetti of drips and drains. He was staring straight upwards, his eyes glazed. He turned his head as they approached and a smile spread over his face. ‘They said you’d called.’

His voice was small and slurred. He tried to lift his head, gave up. Tom stood right over him so he didn’t need to move.

‘You’re my first visitor.’

‘What about your mum?’

‘She’s gone to my sister’s in Leamington. They smashed her windows. She’ll come when she’s got her nerve back. I’ll still be here. I’m not going anywhere.’ He closed his eyes again.

Tom took his hand. It felt limp and lifeless. ‘How are you doing?’

‘How does it look?’

Tom wished he hadn’t asked. He introduced Rolt.

Before they had got past the pleasantries a nurse and two orderlies appeared.

‘Hello, Cliff. We’re taking you down to pre-op. Going to have another look at that spine of yours.’

‘Whatever.’

The nurse gave Blakey a wan smile and turned to Tom. ‘Sorry to break up the party, guys.’

Rolt reached forward and gripped Blakey’s shoulder.

‘We’ll get your mum and sister out to see you. That’s a promise. Then we’ll see what else we can do for them and you.’