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THE WALLS OF THE OPERATING theatre reverberated with the screams of the man who lay on the wooden table. Two nurses restrained his arms as the surgeon worked at the gaping stomach wound.
‘Nurse, More Morphine for this man. He is wide awake.’ Bellowed the doctor as he tried to keep a bloody grip on the man’s stomach.
‘I’m sorry sir,’ she said as she administered a large dose to the man, who still writhed and bucked in agony, his eyes bugging out of his skull.
‘This man is a mess.’ The doctor muttered to himself as he tried to close the wound.
‘He was stabbed sir,’ said one of the nurses as she struggled to hold the man down.
‘I can’t see a thing.’ Grunted the doctor. ‘Miller, clean up some of this mess and don’t get in my way!’
Edward moved around the doctor with practised ease, wiping the blood from the table and the body. His eyes were wide as he watched the doctor work. Edward could see inside the man’s stomach, the fatty yellow inner flesh visible above a great train of intestine. He longed to see more, and as he cleaned he wondered what other secrets lay within that hole.
The patient gave one last spasm and then lay still on the table. The doctor continued to work on the wound then paused to listen to the man’s chest.
‘This man is dead.’ He said, wiping his bloody hands on his apron.
Edward barely heard him. He was looking at the man’s eyes and had seen the life fade from them.
‘You will get used to sights like this boy,’ the doctor said, mistaking Edward’s wonder for fear. ‘Now take this man to the morgue, and clean up the rest of this mess.’ Edward nodded and watched the doctor leave, the nurses following him.
The room fell silent. Edward approached the body on the table and looked into the stomach cavity. He wanted to touch it, to experience the feel of those slick, cooling innards on his skin. He reached out, heart thundering at the idea. As his hand drifted closer to the wound, the door to the operating room opened and the doctor returned. Edward withdrew his hand and did his best to remain calm. ‘Leave that for now boy. The patient’s daughter is here for news of her father, and I have more work to do. Go outside and inform her of his death. The family name is Simmonds. Go now.’
Edward was about to object that such things were not part of his job, but the doctor had gone, leaving Edward and the corpse alone. Realising how close he had come to being caught and how he couldn’t afford to lose his job, he decided the best thing to do would be to distance himself from temptation and do what had been asked of him. He skirted around the body, giving it a last longing look, then exited the operating room.
HE MADE HIS WAY THROUGH the gloomy halls, the moans of the injured and dying no more than background noise as he twisted his way through the throng of people who were lingering in and around the hospital. The sick were everywhere and some had been there since he had begun work earlier that morning, still waiting to be seen by a doctor. It was too crowded, too hot, and with the memories of the gaping stomach wound still fresh he needed to clear his mind before informing the patient’s daughter of her father’s demise.
Edward made his exit and stood on the street, taking huge gulps of soot tasting air. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the woman approach until she lay a hand on his shoulder.
‘Pardon me, sir,’ she said.
The girl was slim, her blonde hair in curls that stopped on her shoulders. Her skin was milky white, her eyes brown.
‘I didn’t mean to startle you. I was hoping for news of my father. He was attacked by a gang and stabbed.’
‘What is your father’s name?’ Edward mumbled, staring at his feet.
‘Simmonds. Derek Simmonds. My name is Lucy. I’m his daughter.’
He forced himself to meet her gaze. ‘I’m sorry to inform you that your father is dead.’
She nodded, then forced a smile. ‘I do not know what I am to do now. I expected this with how bad his injuries were. Even so, I hoped he would be saved.’
‘I’m sorry. There was nothing that could be done.’
She looked away down the crowded street, lips pursed together as she fought not to cry. ‘Thank you for trying to save him. I appreciate the work you doctors do.’
‘I’m afraid I am no doctor, Miss Simmonds. I am far from such a lofty stature.’
‘Doctor or not, I think everyone who works here to try and help people and save lives deserve praise. You are good people.’
‘There is nothing much good about me, Miss. Nothing at all,’ he said, again staring at the ground.
‘That I don’t believe. My father always says – said, that I’ve always had a good understanding of people and I believe you to be a kind man, even if you do appear troubled.’
He couldn’t believe the strength she was showing. Somehow, despite the terrible news, she was holding steady. ‘If you would come with me into the hospital, I will give you your father’s things.’
‘I’m afraid to follow you into there Mr....’
‘Miller. Edward Miller.’
‘Edward. I like that name. Edward, I’m afraid to follow you back into that place as I fear I will not be strong enough. Does that sound idiotic to you?’
Miller shook his head. ‘Not at all. In truth, Miss, I believe grief is the most normal reaction you could have at a time like this.’
Despite everything, she managed a smile. ‘You have the strange ability to ease my sadness, Edward. Of course, I know this battle is one I will soon enough lose, but I appreciate your kindness.’
‘I’ve done nothing, Miss.’
‘Will you please call me Lucy? There is little need to be so formal.’
‘Lucy. I say again I have done nothing but bring you the terrible news I was asked to deliver.’
‘May I ask something of you?’
Edward nodded, still unable to make eye contact.
‘Will you wait with me when I go back in there? I fear I cannot face this alone.’
‘Of course. I will wait for as long as you require.’
She sighed and glanced at the imposing building. ‘Then let us delay no further.’
Edward led her back into the stuffy, overcrowded hospital, unsure how to react to the excitement that surged through him. His life had been lonely, and he had never had any attention from women, his shame at what happened to him as a child and the resulting lack of confidence making even talking to the opposite sex incredibly difficult to the point of crippling. This situation felt different, however. It was a strange feeling for someone to speak to him without prejudice or insulting his appearance. Edward wondered if this was how happiness felt, and if so could see why so many strived to achieve it.