THE SHOUT OF A KING


By Tessa Harvey


Alice woke to the sound of someone vomiting. She carefully got out of bed and sat for a few moments. Though she felt well, rising suddenly sometimes made her unsteady. Then she made for the bathroom. The door was flung open and the young woman was kneeling by the toilet pan.

"Moira, may I help?" Alice did not want to appear domineering to a person who had so obviously been bullied.

The bruising on her face had been fading to a yellowish hue, but was extensive. Moira groaned a little and Alice held her hair back from her face and murmured encouragingly to her. The girl's brow felt clammy.

Leaning on the wall for support, Moira drew herself upright and made for the sink, rinsing her mouth and face. "Sorry!" Moira felt overwhelmingly embarrassed.

Later, clean and dressed in some of the older lady's clothes, including a full-skirted dress, Moira entered the bright, sunny kitchen. Alice smiled such a beautiful welcome, she felt all her anxiety vanish and her taut body relaxed. Invited to sit at the round wooden table, decorated by a flowery cloth, Moira chose a nearby chair.

"Would dry toast and a warm cup of tea help, dear?"
Her visitor gratefully nodded.

Later, after cleaning everything away, Alice joined her new friend in the lounge. There were photos of adults, children, grandchildren and some wedding photos. The armchairs and sofa were a soft, mid-blue colour.

Sinking into the scattered, cheerful cushions, the two women faced each other.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Meanwhile Simon had rallied to help, forgetting for once to be absorbed totally in himself. He had rang for help on his cell phone and had hurried around to help his wife. He had also called Wendy. Help soon arrived. Derek and Simon were taken to the hospital, while Jasmine was driven home in Wendy's car with her mother. The women enjoyed a welcome hot drink, and baby Jasmine had her diaper changed and was given a drink of milk. She was happy and peaceful. Then the women were glad to be contacted by the hospital. It was Derek. Happily, he was pronounced totally fit. He had been at the end of his strength. Simon had been so much better he had signed himself out of the psychiatric ward, as no charges had been laid against him and he was a voluntary patient. He had not been obliged to remain, but was strongly advised to see his own doctor and receive counselling. Both men arrived not long after to join the women. Simon had a very big question for De...
Read more
THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Alice was leaning back in her favourite chair, eyes closed. A cup of fragrant steaming tea sat at her right hand, balanced somewhat precariously on a small carved Indian table inlaid with decorative ivory. May A sound alerted her. A car door slammed, then another. Visitor? Standing, Alice moved to the window. A woman and her baby were walking towards her door. At first Alice did not recognise the young woman, then with joy opened the door and hurried to give Moira a hug. The young mother was so different from the year before, well-dressed, her hair buoyant and shining with health. The child beamed at the old lady and jerked in her mother's arms. Alice stood back and gazed lovingly at them both. Moira felt like a daughter to her, or rather, granddaughter, she thought wryly, remembering her age. So baby...Jasmine...would be a great grandie. The younger woman hugged her also. Tears threatened to overwhelm both adults, but the baby's wriggles to ...
Read more
THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey When he was first admitted to the psychiatric ward, Simon had been distant and seemed confused. Gradually he became aware of his surroundings, realising he was in a small room next to the nurses' station. Some previous occupant had left behind bright flowers in a plastic tumbler. The significance of the tumbler being plastic, not glass escaped him. He went to the nurses' station. It was almost completely enclosed in clear glass. Simon banged for attention. A male nurse pointed to a sign "No excuse for abuse!" and turned his back. This angered Simon. "Who do you think you are?" he demanded. "I don't need to be here and I have my own home and a very good job. Who brought me here? I need to have a shower and shave and prepare for tomorrow's work. Let me out!" An orderly came to escort Simon back to his room. A few minutes later a doctor came to talk to him, to explain why he was there. A nurse came in with m...
Read more