Free One Last Love by Derek Haines Page B

now.’
    *****
    It was an excuse, but after reading for a little while Bonnie headed off to the dining room to get a morning coffee instead of waiting for the morning tea trolley to arrive. On the way he stopped at Danny’s room hoping to say hello but found the door ajar and Danny asleep. He waited a few moments to see if he may have stirred but there was no movement. Thoughts of Danny not waking had Bonnie shaking his head grumpily and wheeling himself away towards the dining room. Passing the nurses’ station, which was deserted, he turned and entered the dining room, pleased to find the coffee pot was three quarters full and steaming hot. He poured himself a cup and took his coffee to a table and quietly drank it in peace – as the pain returned.
    When he’d finished his coffee, he decided not to go and have a smoke on the dining room terrace but go back to his room and lie down, which he hoped would alleviate the pain a little. As he left he half thought about passing Madeleine’s room but decided not to and turned right after the nurses’ station and towards his room instead.
    ‘Good morning Bonnie.’
    ‘Oh, hello Madeleine. How are you this morning?’
    ‘Not too bad Bonnie. I was just heading out to the garden, would you like to join me? It’s such a beautiful morning out there.’
    ‘How could I refuse?’ Bonnie replied against the best advice of the pain in his chest and shoulders, which he suddenly hoped would simply go away and leave him alone for just an hour or so.
    ‘I just saw Angeline. She’s feeling a bit poorly this morning but told me she’ll catch up with you later today perhaps.’
    ‘That’s very nice of her,’ Bonnie said as he struggled with pushing the wheels of his chair.
    ‘Would you like me to give you a little push Bonnie?’ Madeleine said with a smile as she noticed Bonnie struggling.
    ‘It’s just a twinge in my shoulder that makes it a bit difficult.’
    ‘Well, let me give you a hand,’ she said as she hooked her walking stick over her arm and moved around behind his wheelchair. She’s managed only a few paces before Mary appeared in the hall.
    ‘Well then Bonnie, you’ve really got the ladies doing all the work for you. Typical man huh?’ she winked at Madeleine.
    ‘We’re just heading to the rose garden,’ Madeleine replied.
    ‘Ok then. Let me do that then,’ Mary said and took over from Madeleine. ‘Doin’ ok there Bonnie?’
    ‘Eh, yes thanks.’
    Half way to the rose garden, Bonnie leant forward and winced.
    ‘What is it Bonnie?’ Mary asked as she quickly moved in front of Bonnie’s chair.
    ‘Just a little pain in the chest,’ he said breathlessly, still half doubled up.
    ‘Ok, let’s get you back to your room and see what we can do,’ she said and started wheeling Bonnie back inside with Madeleine following but unable to keep up with Mary’s pace. As she wheeled Bonnie past the nurses’ station she quickly told another nurse to get an injection ready for Bonnie immediately. Once back in his room she moved Bonnie onto his bed, took off his shoes and slipped a day blanket on him. The other nurse arrived with the painkilling injection and Mary set about giving it to Bonnie, who was now clearly in considerable pain. Madeleine arrived and waited at the door to Bonnie’s room.
    ‘It won’t take long Bonnie. Just relax as best you can,’ Mary said, then noticed Madeleine at the door. She asked the other nurse to tidy up and went to Madeleine.
    ‘Is he alright?’
    ‘Some pain. The injection will ease that for him and let him sleep.
    ‘Would it be alright if I sat with him a while?’
    ‘Sure. He’ll be asleep quite quickly though.’
    ‘That’s ok. I jus….’
    ‘It’s ok. We’ve finished. I’ll check on him shortly,’ Mary said as the other nurse passed them on her way out of the room.
    Madeleine sat by Bonnie’s bed. ‘You should’ve told me you didn’t feel well.’
    ‘I like going to the rose garden,’ he said with a