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‘Hi,’ said Tom as he kissed his wife. ‘You look well.’
‘Thanks, I’m OK.’
They sat next to each other on a sofa at St Martin’s Hospital and held hands.
‘How are you settling in?’
‘OK, actually, I like it here, it’s peaceful. We can go for walks in the grounds, the trees will be lovely in the spring.’
‘I noticed how quiet it was when I parked up.’
‘Yes, it’s so quiet at night, you can’t hear anything,’ she paused. ‘How’s work?’
‘OK, the usual problems but it’s ticking over. We’ve appointed another GP, so that should ease the pressure a bit. Also, I’m going to reduce my hours, so they are advertising for another Practice Manager to job share.’
‘Are you sure, Tom? I don’t want you to give up your job because of me, you are so good at it.’
‘There are things which are more important than work, I want to spend more time with you. My mind is made up.’
‘Well, I had better make sure I get out of here as soon as I can. I really want to get better.’
‘That’s good to hear.’
‘I realise that my counselling days are over, I need to focus on keeping myself on an even keel. I’ll have time for some new hobbies.’
‘It’s too soon to be making decisions about work.’
‘No, I’ve decided, it’s too much for me. I can’t cope with the stress of it any longer.’
Tom squeezed her hand, he didn’t want to spend their precious time together arguing.
‘Which reminds me, any news about Melanie?’ asked Trish.
‘No, sorry, I’ve been too busy to contact Francine recently. She was doing OK though, wasn’t she, last time I asked?’
‘Yes, I still think about her, I can’t help it.’
‘Beth and Derek were asking about you. They’ve been really supportive, I’m still going to have dinner with them once a week.’
‘That’s nice for you, Beth is an excellent cook.’
‘She certainly is, I’m sure I’ve put on a few pounds.’
‘Nonsense, you still look very slim to me.’
‘How is your therapy going?’
‘Well, I think it’s going well. It’s early days of course. We are talking about my childhood, it’s painful but necessary.’
‘You don’t need to go into it now if you don’t want to, I don’t mean to upset you.’
‘No, it’s OK. Did I ever tell you how I repeatedly stabbed Gina with a compass?’
Tom looked shocked.
‘She pushed me too far and I snapped. Her bullying had been relentless. Every day I was worried about what I was going to encounter.’
‘Oh, Trish. I knew you hadn’t enjoyed school but then again, neither did I when I think about it,’ he paused. ‘It must have been so awful for you.’
‘It was. She deserved it really.’
Tom looked shocked. He’d never heard Trish advocate violence like this.
‘I realise now that I was lucky not to get a criminal record. I assaulted her quite violently.’
‘As a result of provocation, though,’ said Tom, tactfully.
Trish seemed to be drifting away from him. Her eyes stared past him towards the window, her jaw set firmly, unsmiling.
‘Who do you have as a therapist here?’
‘Oh, she’s a nice young woman, Megan. A psychologist, a trainee, I think because they are sure I’m not a suicide risk now.’
‘It’s good to hear you say that,’ smiled Tom. ‘So, what sort of activities do you do here?’ he asked, changing the subject.
‘It was impossible to forget you know,’ said Trish.
She had become distant again.
‘About school?’
‘Well, yes, but I mean the incident where she stamped on my fingers. It was such a demonstration of superiority from her. I was on the floor, and I had no chance. I can remember it as if it were yesterday.’
‘Trish, let’s talk about something else,’ said Tom, rubbing her hand with his. ‘Tell me about the activities here.’
‘Oh, there are various things, I’m doing some craft work, quizzes, that sort of thing. I’m also going to offer to do a bit of gardening, I’d like that.’
‘Well, I’m trying to keep things tidy in the garden at home, it looks a bit sorry for itself at the moment though. Hopefully, you’ll be back soon, and we can plan for the summer.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Which reminds me, I saw one of those blasted squirrels digging in one of the pots the other day. I think I need to know your secret recipe for keeping them under control.’ He winked at Trish.
Trish smiled back at her husband.
‘It’s a trade secret, perhaps it’s best if you leave that to me when I get home.’
‘Of course, you’re the expert.’
‘Do you need me to bring anything else when I next visit?’
‘I don’t think so. Besides, I don’t have much storage here for things.’
‘OK, that’s fine, I just thought I’d ask.’
‘You’re so good to me, Tom,’ she said, suddenly. ‘I’m lucky to have you.’
‘I’m lucky to have you too,’ he replied. There didn’t seem a need for more words, it was enough to just be in each other’s presence. They continued to hold hands, Tom relishing every moment of physical contact.
