Shifting Skin

Chapter 10

Dawn Poole could almost see the waves of pain radiating out from the back of the patient’s throat with every swallow. Breathing was obviously still difficult because, after a few more sips, the straw was released.

‘Enough?’ Dawn asked, her concern showing in her face.

The patient leaned back against the pillows and gave a single slow nod.

Dawn put the carton down. ‘You’re being so brave.’ She ran her fingers gently through the short spikes of hair on the patient’s head. The haircut reminded her of a singer’s, someone who sang of bruised feelings and life’s injustices. Annie Lennox? Sinead O’Connor? She couldn’t remember.

Bloodshot eyes turned towards the window. A finger was held up, red nail varnish contrasting with the white sheets. ‘Can you crumble a biscuit on the window sill?’

The words were little more than a rasping whisper. Unsure if she’d heard correctly, Dawn stood. ‘Crumble biscuit on the window sill?’

The patient nodded. ‘For a robin. It lands there.’

She smiled uncertainly. ‘Of course, my darling.’ She took a digestive biscuit from the untouched packet and broke off a small piece. ‘Outside? Here?’ she asked.

‘And on the inside, too.’

Dawn began crumbling the biscuit between her forefinger and thumb.