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H arry woke up as he felt the warm rays of sunshine stream through
their bedroom curtains. He looked over at Hazel, who was still sound
asleep. He leant over and kissed her on the forehead before getting up
and putting on his dressing gown.
‘Morning, Oscar’.
Their golden labradoodle Oscar stretched out across the floor in acknowledgement.
Harry walked through to the kitchen and switched the kettle on. He looked out at his shed and thought for a moment. His trail of thought was disturbed when Oscar hit over a box of cereal, knocking corn flakes all over the floor.
‘You bloody dog, do you want to wake up Hazel? Good grief, you’ll be the death of me’.
Harry swept up the corn flakes and made a pot of tea, leaving some flakes in the bowl for Oscar.
‘There you go my friend, that’ll keep you out of mischief for a while’. There was a bang at the door that made Harry jump. He looked down the hall to see the newspaper hanging out of the letterbox. ‘Not sure I’ll make it to lunchtime at this rate Oscar’.
Harry picked up the tea tray and walked in to the bedroom to hear Hazel stirring.
‘Good morning my love, I’ve made some tea’ said Harry, placing the
tray on the side.
‘What time is it?’
‘8am, I thought I would let you have a lie-in’ whispered Harry as he kissed her on the cheek.
‘I didn’t sleep that well to be honest, I kept thinking about poor Graham and Heather. And why did you not tell me those teenagers had a knife?’
Harry sat down on the bed and poured them both a tea.
‘I thought he had a knife. Sorry, I didn’t want to worry you’. ‘Well, I am worried. I’m scared about what will happen next; especially with Graham and Heather’s shop being attacked like that. We should pop back to the hospital later today and check they are both ok’ said Hazel taking a sip of tea.
‘That’s a good idea. I wouldn’t mind popping in to town first and getting a new train book if you don’t mind?’ Hazel smiled at him.
‘Of course. Are there any trains you want to take pictures of today?’ ‘Well, now you mention it, there is a steam train coming through Lydewick station about midday. I’ve never photographed it before, so we could pop in?’ said Graham with a glint in his eye.
‘I’m sure we can do that love. You should create an album for all your pictures; we could put them online’.
‘Ooh, not sure about that. I don’t trust that internet thing – can’t people watch you through your computer?’ asked Graham suspiciously.
‘Don’t be silly dear, that’s only if you go on to those mucky websites I think’.
‘Oh yes, I’ve heard about them. Apparently people are having sex with all sorts. Awful. Anyway, I’m going to hop in the shower and then we can get going’.
‘Sounds like a plan my dear’.
‘Morning love, how are you feeling?’
Graham opened his eyes and saw Heather smiling back at him. ‘Now that’s how I would like to wake up every morning. I’m fine beautiful. I didn’t sleep too well, thanks to him next door snoring all night’.
‘Hey, I don’t snore. You kept me awake by fiddling with your testicles all night’ came the voice from the bed.
‘Graham, there’s no need to be doing that in hospital’ said Heather turning up her nose.
‘Well, they’re just sat there doing nothing, it’s hard not to’.
‘You are disgusting sometimes love. Did the doctor say what time you can go home?’
‘Hopefully late morning after he’s been round and done his check’ said Graham getting up to walk to the toilet.
‘Why don’t you clean your balls while you’re in there? Maybe you’ll stop scratching them’ said the old guy in the bed next to him.
‘Maybe I’ll stuff yours in your mouth to stop the snoring’ muttered
Graham under his breath.
‘What was that?’
‘I said, do you want a coffee while I’m up?’ ‘No, but you could get me a newspaper’.
Graham ignored him and walked in to the toilet at the end of the ward. ‘Are you married to him then?’
Heather looked around to the old man sat up in his bed.
‘Yes, for twenty years. We run the shop in Lydewick together’. ‘I feel sorry for you. Does he do that to his testicles every night? I didn’t get a wink of sleep’.
‘Not every night no, but I agree that it can be quite annoying sometimes’.
‘I should think it bloody would be’.
‘What are you two talking about?’ asked Graham as he got back in to bed.
‘Nothing. He was just asking how long we had been married’ replied Heather.
‘Did you get my paper?’
‘No, sorry, they had run out’ said Graham, lying.
‘Bollocks’.
‘Ignore him, he’ll probably be dead soon anyway’ said Graham.
‘I think we should keep the shop closed for a few days, just while the police do their enquires’.
‘No chance. I’m not letting those little shits keep me away from the shop, plus we can’t afford to stay closed for that long’. Heather held his hands.
‘We have savings that we can use, don’t worry. The priority is to get you well again. You never know, you may get lucky’ winked Heather. ‘I hope he washes his balls first’ said the guy next to them.
Before Graham could reply the doctor appeared at the end of his bed. ‘Good morning Mr Leyton. I have some good news for you. The scans results have come back clear so you are good to go home when you are ready’.
‘Brilliant news, thanks doc’.
Heather started to pack up Graham’s things and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
‘Let’s get you home love’.
‘I must admit, I quite enjoyed that’.
Harry looked at Hazel and smiled.
‘Thanks love, I know trainspotting isn’t really your thing, but it’s nice
not to be sat there on my own. Good job you packed those tuna
sandwiches and a flask of tea’.
‘And most welcome they were too’.
Their attention was diverted to a commotion at the front of the bus. Harry strained his neck and saw some teenagers arguing with the driver.
‘That’s all I’ve got so tough’ shouted one of them at the driver.
The three lads walked through the bus swearing loudly.
‘What a foul group of lads’ said Hazel.
‘What did you say old lady?’ said one of the boys.
Harry recognised him as one of the group that harassed him in town. ‘Would you mind not swearing? We don’t want to hear this kind of language, thank you’ said Hazel sternly.
‘Why don’t you mind your own business, you old hag.’
The other two teenagers laughed as they walked to the back of the bus.
Harry held Hazel’s hand as she sat there in shock.
‘Just ignore them love, it’s our stop next’.
‘I can’t believe he just spoke to me like that’.
‘Let’s just get off the bus and get home quickly’ said Harry gathering his bag.
‘Are they the same teenagers that gave you hassle?’ Harry nodded his head.
‘Right, as soon as we get home I shall be calling the police. They both got off the bus at the next stop and walked to their bungalow. Harry locked the door behind him and switched the kettle on.
‘I’ll make us a nice cup of tea’.
‘Good idea’ said Hazel, picking up the phone.
Just as she was about to dial the number a large brick came crashing through the lounge window, covering Hazel in glass.
‘Hazel? Are you ok?’ shouted Harry as rushed in to the room to see Hazel on the floor, her face bloodied from the glass. ‘Oh my god, don’t move. I’ll call an ambulance’.
‘I’m ok love, just help me to get up from the floor’ said Hazel feeling the blood on her face.
‘Hello? Ambulance please, it’s my wife, she’s been hit by some glass and she’s bleeding’.
Harry walked over to the window and saw three boys running down the road laughing.
‘I need to speak to the police as well’.