Free A Servant of the Company by Alan Cooke Page A

urine sample, the same procedure.’ He didn’t have to tell the Sergeant what to do, he had already taken charge of the situation and acted upon it. It was just the final decision that was required from his Senior Officer. He quickly scribbled a note for the technicians at the Royal Infirmary and passed it to the Sergeant.
    ‘Thanks a lot Sir. We’ll keep an eye on him. I don’t think you will be bothered again tonight.’ He liked his boss, and they had built up a mutual respect for each other’s specialist skills.
    Steven was oblivious of all that was happening around him and when he finally awoke, totally confused by his surroundings. He gradually brought things into focus and started to sit up in bed. ‘Where the fu..,’ the word stuck in his throat as he collapsed back on to the pillows.
    The duty nurse had been keeping her eye on her new charge, and moved quickly when he started to move. ‘I would stay still for a while Corporal until the effects wear off a bit.’ She already knew what the diagnosis had been and did not feel well disposed towards druggies, but she was a professional and treated her patient like any other. She lifted his head slightly and adjusted the pillows. ‘There that should be better. Is there anything I can get you?’ It was almost 8 a.m. and she would soon be off duty so the most she would be able to do would be to give him a glass of water.
    Steve shook his head. Still in a daze, all he wanted was to know how he got here. He remembered waiting for Anthea to celebrate the end of their exams and then, and then, nothing. His mind was a complete blank. He had once visited one of his platoon in sick quarters, and recognition of his surroundings soon penetrated the haze. ‘What am I doing here?’ The nurse seemed to be a long way off, but he could touch her arm, things didn’t seem at all normal to him. As he hadn’t received a reply, he called out.
    ‘Are you there, what am I doing here?’ He put his hand out and touched her arm, gripping it to make sure she wouldn’t leave.
    ‘I’m here Corporal, you collapsed in town and were brought here. I don’t think it’s anything serious, so just relax and try to sleep, it’s still quite early.’ She didn’t mention that the other two patients had both showered and had breakfast, the hospital routine had been maintained. With the exception of Steve. Had she dealt with him in the same way, she would have had to obtain a urine sample. It was now 8.00 a.m. and was someone else’s responsibility. She heard the clip clop of shoes and turning saw the next duty shift reporting. The handover was straight forward and she was soon heading off for breakfast, then a shower and bed for the rest of the morning.
    Corporal Scouser Jennings had checked back into the barracks at midnight, very satisfied with the evening’s results, but his pleasure was not finished yet.
    ‘Anything exciting tonight Briggsy.’ His friend Corporal Briggs was Guard Commander until 8.00a.m. and Scouser could rely on him for any gossip. He wanted to hear about any movements into the barracks concerning a certain Corporal under the influence of drugs without having to ask direct questions, and imagine the worst possible scenario ever.
    ‘It’s bleeding amazing, that nerd Henderson, the bloke who never drinks was brought in tonight full of bloody drugs. I reckon he’s in for the chop. Can’t see him getting away with this even with all those exams he keeps taking. At least there’s some justice in this world.’ His laugh echoed across the parade ground. ‘He’s been carted off to the sick bay, totally out of it.’
    ‘No kidding, bloody Henderson of all people. You just never know what some buggers are up to. Well it serves him bloody well right, I’ve no respect for anyone getting mixed up in drugs. I wouldn’t even wave him goodbye. Enjoy the rest of the night mate, I’m off to my pit. See ya.’ Jennings walked off towards the block rubbing his hands