One Last Love Read Free Page B

ambulance appeared under his feet.’
    ‘Hello Mr. Mayfield,’ a smiling ambulance officer said as they neared. She looked hardly old enough to drive in his estimation.
    ‘Mr. Mayfield prefers to be called Bonnie,’ the nurse said from behind him before he could answer himself.
    ‘Alright. So are you ready for a little trip then Bonnie?’ she asked in voice that dripped of platitudes. He decided a grunt would suffice for agreement.
    ‘One, two, three, up,’ she said as the other officer helped her lift Bonnie onto the ambulance stretcher bed. Her childish voice annoying Bonnie. ‘Comfy there Bonnie?’ she asked after loading him into the ambulance and then securing two belts across his chest and legs. He replied with just a nod as he watched the ward nurse walk back inside pushing the empty wheel chair. He understood why she wasn’t one for goodbyes. Once the doors closed it was only a minute or two before he was on his way. Carol’s face bouncing across the white roof of the ambulance.
    ‘Piss off,’ he thought to himself before closing his eyes to make her disappear.
    ‘All ok back there?’ the male ambulance officer asked above the hum of the motor.
    ‘Fine thanks,’ He managed to reply in a voice loud enough to be heard, but was enough of a strain to start a coughing fit. It subsided minutes later as he felt the ambulance slowing. And then to a stop. His last.
    The two ambulance officers must have understood Bonnie was not in a talkative mood as they helped him from the stretcher bed onto another wheel chair. An orderly in a blue tunic waiting to take over once he was installed in the chair. Bonnie stared at the orderly who wore what looked like a plastic half smile glued to his face. Luckily a friendlier face appeared, carried atop a body of robust proportions.
    ‘Hello Bonnie, I’m Odele,’ she said as she offered her hand to shake. Bonnie responded and found a firm and friendly handshake.
    ‘Nice to meet you,’ he said not knowing what else to say.
    ‘Come on then, let’s get you inside,’ she said and gestured for the orderly to start pushing. She waved politely to the ambulance officers as they turned to leave.
    ‘I’m told that you have a garden where I can have a smoke.’
    ‘You’re well informed. Do you have cigarettes?’
    ‘Oh, I didn’t plan this very well did I?’ he laughed.
    ‘No, not well at all,’ she smiled. ‘I’ll see what I can do for you though.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘There’s the dining room,’ Odele said as they made their way though. ‘And the living room is here on the right. Help yourself to the books and magazines.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘And the nurses’ station is just over there. Anything you need, just ask. Ok?’
    ‘You’re well organised.’
    ‘We try our best. Now, here we are,’ she said as she opened the door to his room. The difference from his hospital ward being obvious at first glance. Floor to ceiling windows giving onto a small field lined with trees, and a small terrace complete with two floral deck chairs and a garden table. A bed, with a small television overhead, a two seater sofa with a low coffee table and aside to the left, a small writing desk and chair.
    ‘Your bathroom is though here,’ Odele said as she opened the door.
    ‘Most impressive. It’s more like a hotel.
    ‘I’m sure you’ll be comfortable. Now, I’ll let Paul help you get your things unpacked and I’ll see if I can find some smokes for you.’
    ‘That’s very kind of you.’
    ‘No problem, see you soon. Oh, by the way, Dr, McManus will be calling by about seven. Dinner is at around six-thirty in the dining room but if you’re not feeling up to it, you can have it in your room.’
    ‘I’ll give the dining room a try I think.’
    ‘Great. It’ll give you a chance to meet a few of the others. I’ll be back soon.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    The orderly, who Bonnie now knew was Paul, helped him from the wheel chair and onto the side of the bed.
    ‘I’d prefer