Page 69 of Savage Reckoning

“One. You can manage steps. We practiced. And two, use the lifts.”

“What about looking after myself. Getting dressed, the bathroom, all of that.”

“If you need help, ask for it. There’s me, Cristina, Beth, my aunt, Janey, Faith.”

“They’re not nurses…”

“You don’t need a nurse. If you did, we’d hire one.”

“No. No, I don’t think—”

“You don’t need a nurse because you have friends. Let us help you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Trust me, I’m a doctor.”

Faith and I help Magda to settle herself back in her own apartment, leaving me with just one patient in my care. I pop in to relieve the duty nurse for a few minutes, while Cristina deals with the school run.

I pull up a chair and seat myself beside Ethan. In the ‘real world’ as I like to think of it, I would never initiate physical contact with him. He’s my boss, a respectful distance is called for. That’s how things are run here. But this isn’t the real world. This is Planet Coma. I’m a doctor. I do what needs doing to help bring him back.

So, I take his hand, squeeze it gently. “Hi there, boss. How are you feeling today?”

I don’t expect an answer. I hope for, perhaps, a responding squeeze of my fingers, but there’s nothing.

“Feeling a bit tired, eh? I’m not surprised. Cristina will be back soon. She just went across to the mainland with the boys, then I think she’s going to do a bit of shopping. Meanwhile, you’ve got me to entertain you. Would you like some more of Call of the Wild?” I pick up the tattered hardback Cristina brought across from the castle library. She’s finished with Hardy and started on something a bit more modern. She marked the page where she got to. I open the book at Chapter Four and begin. “He wanted to have the leadership. It was his by right. He had earned it, and he would not be content with less…”

I pause. “A bit like you, boss. I can see why you like this book.” I return to the story, but before I can continue, he clutches my hand. Hard. And opens his eyes.

For several seconds we simply stare at each other. I search for a sign of recognition, of awareness, some sign that he’s really there, seeing me. My breath hitches. I open my mouth to speak, but no words form.

Then, his lips move in a smile. Or what might pass for one. He forms a word. I don’t catch it, so lean in. “What did you say, Ethan?”

He mouths it again, and this time, I do get it.

“Hello, Doc.”

Mr Renny arrives by helicopter the next day. He conducts a range of neurological tests designed to establish what level of higher function is returning and declares the signs ‘promising’. Ethan waits until the specialist has departed before opening his eyes again, but this time Cristina is there to see him do it. The celebrations go on into the night.

Progress is slow but steady. Ethan’s periods of wakefulness are longer, more frequent. He’s forming words, questions. Sitting up in bed, drinking through a straw. Jack starts to bring him daily reports. Ethan tires easily, but he’s interested and seems to grasp what’s going on.

Unlike his family, who are just so delighted to have him back, in whatever way they can, I’m on the alert for signs of longer-term damage. Loss of memory, poor concentration, defective linguistic skills. I’m not seeing any of that. A few days pass, and I begin to think that, just maybe, this is all going to be all right.

I say as much to Gabriel when he presents himself unexpectedly at my door.

“I didn’t realise you were back,” I blurt. “Are you…? I mean, did everything go okay?”

“Archer’s dead,” is his succinct report.

“Oh. I see.”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.” I step aside to let him pass. “What happens now?”

One eyebrow arches. “Well, my vote would be for an hour or so between your sheets. Unless you have any better ideas?”

“I didn’t mean that.”

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