Page 19 of Gideon
“No, it isn’t,” I say immediately. He stares at me and I slump. “Okay, it is him. But you need to not mention that,” I say firmly. “He needs peace and privacy.”
“I think he’ll be fine,” he says, his eyes running avidly over Gideon. “Considering the age range of people on here, they won’t know him unless he was in a film with Charlton Heston in his pre-NRA days.”
“Hmm.” I don’t like the way that he’s looking at Gideon, so I edge forward slightly, blocking his gaze in a protective manner. I wonder where that’s coming from but dismiss it in favour of moving us away. Noticing that the steward has stopped talking, I disengage the brake on the wheelchair. “Well, we must be going,” I say cheerfully. “We’ve got some stuff to do, haven’t we, sir?”
“Havewe?” Gideon sounds astonished but he catches my glare and subsides, though not before shooting me an incredulous look. “Sir? Well, Eli, that’s very polite of you.”
I shake my head. “We should be going,” I murmur.
He obliges with a slightly suspicious manner, raising the lady’s hand to his mouth to kiss and saying goodbye in a low voice.
As we move away he twists to look at me. “Is there a reason why we’re leaving them like they’ve got the clap in a brothel?”
An older lady passing us gasps and I send her an apologetic look. “Sorry,” I mutter. “He’s not well.”
She shoots him a look like she’s expecting him to combust and scuttles off.
“The other nurse recognised you,” I say as I wheel him through the crowds milling outside the shopping area.
“So? That happens all the time.”
“I know it does – for you – but you need peace to get well.”
He shoots me an inscrutable look. “That’s very nice of you but there’s no need, Eli. It’s part of the business. There isn’t much peace.”
He faces forward and conversation lapses. I wonder if I’ve done wrong but dismiss it. I don’t believe in looking for problems. If I’ve made a mistake, I’m sure he’ll tell me. I wheel him determinedly towards an expensive-looking menswear shop that he points out like a very grumpy captain.
Two hours later I drop down onto the sofa in the suite and groan. “Jesus, that’s two hours of my life that I won’t get back.”
He lowers himself onto the other side of the sectional. “I thought you’d have more stamina.”
I open one eye. “For surfing, running, or dancing I have lots of stamina. Shopping, not at all.”
“Yes, I got that with the constant sighing. It got so bad the sales assistant thought a window was open.”
My lips twitch. “I just can’t understand it,” I admit, rolling onto one side and finding him looking at me.
“Shopping?” I nod and he smiles. “I like shopping. Particularly for clothes.”
“I don’t mind it, but I tend to get everything from Top Man.”
Gideon makes a moue of disgust as if I’ve admitted shopping in a shithole.
I open my mouth to say something else but my phone buzzes. I look down at it and sigh. “My mum. Is it okay if I take this?”
He looks amazed. “Of course it is. You’re not a prisoner of my whims.” I raise my eyebrow and he grins. “Okay, you might be a bit.” He waves his hand. “Go on and answer it. I’m going to ring for a drink and sit outside.”
“No alcohol,” I say, hesitating over my still-ringing phone.
“No, of course not. It’s like sharing a suite with the Salvation Army.”
I nod and, palming my phone, I move into my room and shut the door. “Hi, Mum,” I say.
“Eli, how are you? Where are you?”
“Well, I’m currently onboard a cruise ship travelling around Italy and I’m fine. How’s Dad?”
“He’s busy. I haven’t seen him in a couple of days. He’s been sleeping at the hospital.”
