GONIFF 3
They arrived at the cottage twenty minutes later and Angel led the way waiting for Goniff to follow.
`You want to go upstairs or have the room at the back? She asked.
`Might stay down here if that's alright with you`, he said.
`Not a problem either way Goniff, do what ever you want. As far as I'm concerned this is your home for the next few days, so you treat it as such`, she said.
`Thanks `, he said and walked through to his room, closing the door behind him.
Angel busied herself in the kitchen for a while and then as Goniff still hadn't come out of his room she went and knocked quietly on the door.
When she got no answer she opened it and whispered his name. There was no reply so she put her head round the door to make sure that he was alright , and found him curled up in a ball on the
bed, sound asleep. She closed the door again and went and sat on the sofa. She stared at the closed door , and wished with all her heart that she could work out exactly how to help him.
…
Angel was up early the following morning , coming downstairs to find Goniff sitting in a chair in the front room.
`Morning Luv, you been up long`, she asked.
`Since about two`, he said.
`Well you did crash out when you got here yesterday, you not been sleeping to well at the mansion? She asked him.
`Wake up during the night, can't get back to sleep after that,`
`What wakes you ? She asked
`Have a nightmare `,
`You have one last night too? she said.
Goniff just nodded.
`Well why don't I stay down here tonight and then if you wake up you at least won't be on your own, think that might help?
`You'd do that for me? he asked her.
`Of course I would Goniff.
`Would like that , kinda scary waking up alone`, He said, not looking at her.
`How about breakfast? she asked, `We seem to have missed supper last night and I'm hungry, could you manage eggs on toast? She asked him smiling.
He gave her a weak smile.
`You know I think I could, you want me to make a nice pot of tea while you do that`, he asked.
`That Goniff is the best idea you've had so far this morning`, she said laughing.
They both headed for the kitchen and Angel for an instant ,caught a brief glimpse of the old Goniff. Well at least I know he's still in there somewhere she thought to herself , all I have to do now is find
him.
….
They went to pick Actor up later that morning and Angel had deliberately arrived early so that Goniff could have a chance to do whatever would cheer him up before they got to the hospital.
This was proving a lot more difficult than she thought.
`You want to get a cup of tea and a cake? She asked.
Having never known Goniff turn down cakes she had been slightly surprised by his reply of.
`Not really hungry right now`.
`Well, never saw that one coming`, she said smiling. `What would you like to do ?
`Go home`, he said sadly.
`Oh Goniff, I really wish I could arrange that`, she said.
Goniff looked at her.
`Oh I don't mean back to the States, I mean I want to get there real bad, I just mean back to the cottage, to many people here, just want to be on my own`, he said.
She gave him a hug.
`What about if we pick Actor up early and head straight back, would you feel better then? She asked him.
`He nodded.
`Yeah,` he said quietly, Sorry if I messed up your morning`,
`Goniff right now you are far more important than any trip to London, now let's go`. She said.
She put her arm round his waist and they headed back to the jeep.
….
Angel had talked the Doctor into letting Actor leave earlier than planned and then had dropped Goniff off at the cottage before going to the estate as he had told her he didn't want to go back there .
Actor's voice penetrated her thoughts.
`We going somewhere nice? He asked her .
`What?
`You just drove straight passed the gates`, he said looking at her worriedly.
`What? Oh damn`, she said as she stopped the jeep and reversed into the small lane to turn round.
`It must be bad`, he said.
`What?
`Whatever it is that has got you so preoccupied, It does have something to do with Goniff, I take it? He said.
`Right now what you see is what you get`, she told him. `He's miserable, doesn't know why, and he's afraid, having nightmares, don't know what to do with him yet.
`Things are that bad?
She nodded.
`Sorry about the detour`, she said smiling, `Have you back in no time , this time I promise.`
`Angel , believe me when I tell you I cherish every minute spent with you`, he said smiling at her,`Even if it is a mystery tour.`
She laughed at him and leant over and kissed his cheek.
`Why thank you kindly , sir,
This time he laughed.
`Are you ever going to take any compliment I give you seriously? He asked her.
`Never, she said, `It would make my life far to complicated if I started to take any one of you seriously, and right now if I don't get you back I'm going to have one stressed out Lt. on my
hands ,especially as I said we would be back early.
`Then let's go , shall we? Can't have the Lt. stressed , bad for his blood pressure , let alone ours when he's worried.` he teased.
`You tell anyone I missed the turning and I'll tell Craig the Dr. recommended a good dose of castor oil`, she said with mock seriousness`
He looked at her with horror.
`You are one vindictive woman, do you know that? He said.
She smiled at him.
`Oh yeah, and you ain't seen nothing yet, wait until I really get started`, she said.
As they arrived at the main doors Craig was there to meet them .
`You look a little pale, you all right? He asked Actor.
`Just fine Warden, thank you , think I will just go inside and rest for a while,` he said.
He reached and took Angel's hand and clicking his heels together he bowed and kissed it.
`You make an excellent chauffer Angel`, he said
`You sir are full of it`, she said smiling sweetly at him.
He laughed and turned towards the doors, leaving Craig and Angel together.
`Something I need to know about? He asked her.
She laughed at him and followed Actor inside.
`Oh please do come in and help yourself to coffee`, he said
`Was going to , little brother , but thanks for the invite, kinda makes it official and all that`, she said, `You coming?
He laughed , walked up behind her and linked his arm through hers.
…..
Chief and Casino were in the kitchen when she arrived.
`Actor said you were here , he's gone to lie down, you want some tea? Casino asked.
`Would be nice, thanks`, she said.
`So how is he? He asked.
Doctor says he'll be fine,` she said.
`Not Actor,` he said exasperated `The limey.`
`Was going to ask the same thing`, said Craig,
`Honestly , I don't know, says he's having nightmares , you any idea about what? She asked.
Casino shook his head,
`When I sleep baby , I sleep, didn't hear him wake up at all
`Angel looked at Chief.
`Know he's been up a lot lately, real early too, thought he just couldn't sleep, didn't know about the bad dreams`, he said.
`What about your head, it getting any better? You taking the pills? she asked looking directly at Craig.
`Yeah Warden keeps dishing them out, headaches are getting better though , Doc says I can cut the pills down to one at a time instead of two and see how that goes for a couple of days , and then
stop them if I want too` he said.
That's good, ` she said, `Glad the alarm clock worked`.
Chief looked puzzled.
`I'll explain later`, said Craig
`Hey maybe we should go visit the limey, cheer him up`, said Casino.
`Rather you didn't , I think he just want's some time on his own right now,` she said.
Casino turned his back on her and walked to the coffee pot.
She walked up behind him and nudged him, almost spilling his coffee.
`Don't worry , I'll not tell any one that you're really a big softee , and worry a lot`. She said
`You do and I'll deny it baby, don't have time to go around worrying about folks`, he said. `Look after number one that's my motto`.
She looked at Craig and Chief who were both finding it difficult not to laugh.
`Sure it is pappy`, said Chief.
`Ah what would you know Injun? He asked as he walked out of the kitchen trying to look angry.
`Well I got to get back, got to see what he's been up to while I've been away`, she said.
Craig caught her hand.
`You'll let us know if we can do anything, won't you? He asked.
Angel sighed.
`Right now I don't even know what I'm doing, ` she said, `I'm just hoping that he'll eventually open up and talk about what's bothering him, I don't know what else to do for him `, she said sadly.
`Maybe a friend's all he needs, he'll tell you when he's ready too`, said Chief.
Angel smiled and plonked a kiss on the top of his head.
`Don't worry , I won't tell Casino you're worried about Goniff too, wouldn't want to damage your image either`, she said smiling
`Don't need to tell me , heard it all anyway`, Casino yelled from outside the kitchen. You're going soft Injun, knew it had to happen`,
Chief stood up .
`Got to go and teach someone some manners`, he said , and without another word left the kitchen.
Angel smiled.
`You going to stop that before it gets started? She asked
`I'll give them a few minutes to let off steam and then they can go down to the firing range for an hour, that should cool them off a little.
`Got this down to a fine art haven't you? She asked.
`Comes with practise Honey, and I get a lot of that.` he said smiling.
There was a crash from upstairs.
`There goes the table, time I stepped in before the glass starts to fly`, he said. `Call me okay`,
He left the kitchen at a run and Angel smiled , now if only she could get Goniff back into this mayhem everything would be right with her world. She put down her mug , smiling as she heard him
chewing them off, and Casino's protestations about how unfair he was being, and headed for the jeep.
She had her own problem to sort out, and she had no idea where to start.