As she left Nick's room Eileen bumped into the nurse who she had spoken to yesterday. "Hallo," the nurse said brightly. Then she looked more closely at Eileen. "If you don't mind me saying so, you look a bit concerned? Nick is doing very well you know."
"Yes, yes I know." Eileen sighed. "He seemed to me like he was worried about something, anxious."
"That's probably reaction and a consequence of his injury," the nurse said. "I'm sure he'll feel better in a few days."
Eileen nodded and walked on, but her concerns didn't lessen. If she had to put a finger on it she would say it seemed to her Nick was having some kind of inner battle with himself. Whatever it was, it needed to come out.
That evening Sergeant Blaketon called round at the Police House mainly to see if he could call in and see Nick briefly tomorrow.
"I'll check in the morning for you but I think so," Eileen replied. "And I know Phil wants to see him so maybe he can go in the day after. I just think they're worried about over-taxing Nick that's all."
"Aye, I can understand that," said Oscar. He paused. "Will you be on your own here tonight?"
Eileen nodded. "Maggie offered to stay but she's been here all day. I told her I'd be fine. She's going to have Katie for a few hours for me tomorrow. Monday, Gina wants to take Katie to the mother and baby group. As a matter of fact Katie has a very full social diary next week. Most of Aidensfield is queuing up to take her here, there and everywhere. The village has been - well I can't put it into words. Everyone's been so kind."
"Well that's small communities for you," said Oscar. "Stick together when it comes to it. And Nick's well thought of Eileen, I don't need to tell you that. Stands to reason, folk just want to help. Well, put me down for a bit of babysitting if I'm needed."
"There is something I'd like you to try and do for me," Eileen said. "When I saw Nick today, well, its difficult to explain but something's worrying him Oscar. What I mean is, he was worried about Katie and how I'd manage but he seemed to accept it when I told him there's nothing to worry about on that score. But to me I'd say there's something else bothering him and whatever it is, he didn't seem to want to tell me about it."
Blaketon frowned. "He knows he's going to get better?"
"Well, yes. The doctors have told him they're really pleased with him."
Blaketon looked astutely at Eileen. "And you want me to see if I can get out of him what's worrying him, like?"
"If you can. He might open up to you. But remember Oscar, he really can't be over-tired or put under any stress at all."
"Aye. Well, I'll do my best," the Sergeant replied. "I hope I can get to see him tomorrow. I'll feel a bit better when I've seen him for myself." He hesitated. "There is something Nick might ask me about. John Riley." He sighed "GBH with intent is what's gone down on the charge sheet. He'll clearly be convicted. The hospital reports found clear evidence of Nick being hit twice and Riley has admitted to dealing the second blow which as we know caused all the damage. It could carry a life sentence. In fact, probably will especially when you throw in the robbery charges an' all.."Blaketon looked at Eileen anxiously. "If Nick asks me about Riley I'll have to answer him but I don't want to upset him any more if he's a bit agitated already."
Oscar Blaketon was given permission to visit Nick the next day but when he arrived at the hospital Dr Carstairs was very firm.
"I really don't want him agitated at all," he said. "If he asks you about the incident in which he was hurt you can answer him but quietly and calmly. You mustn't try and interview him in any way in the hope you trigger some form of recollection about the event."
"I understand," Blaketon said really beginning to feel somewhat anxious himself.
But when he did finally get in to see Nick he felt encouraged. The operation site was much neater that Oscar had feared. Nick was propped up a bit in bed and seemed relatively bright. Blaketon felt much happier as he sat down beside Nick. There was a nurse at the end of Nick's bed, writing something on a chart.
"Thanks for coming in Sarge," Nick said.
"I'd have been here yesterday," Blaketon said, "but they wanted you to rest up. I hear you're on the mend though."
"I don't remember anything Sarge."
"I know. And you don't need to worry about it.." Blaketon glanced at the nurse who was looking at him warningly. "You don't Nick. John Riley's bang to rights. He's been done for GBH with intent and the attempted armed robbery an' all."
Nick said, "Why Sarge? Riley. Why robbery?"
"Oh, that. Well," Blaketon said looking up as the nurse left the room for a moment. "He were under a fair bit of pressure. Wife had said he had to sort out their debts and get himself another job. The estate manager had been round demanding rent he couldn't pay. And he thought the robbery would solve all his problems. He reckoned he changed his mind once or twice about the whole plan but he said there were no way back, he had to do it." Blaketon smiled. "Daft beggar picked on Bertram's shop because he reckoned it'd be easiest being set back a bit from the street. What he didn't reckon on were Bertram himself. When he demanded money from Bertram, Bertram just told him "Not bloody likely" and locked himself in the back of the shop." Oscar paused but opted to gloss over what followed next. "Well, anyroad, afterwards when he made off, like, he tried to run past the Bull and the landlord, knowing Riley all too well as it were, thought he'd been up to summat, collared him and locked him in the pub cellar. Nice and tidy waiting for us to collect."
"Strange, I can't remember anything about it," Nick said. "Was I totally out of it?"
"You woke up a bit at the scene but you weren't properly with us, not really," Blaketon spoke matter of factly thinking this was the best way. He looked closely at his Constable. "Is it bothering you lad? That you can't remember?"
"No, not really. It just feels odd, you know, something happened like that and you don't remember the first thing about it."
Blaketon took a breath. "Nick, Eileen thought summat were bothering you when she came in. Is there owt you're worrying about, you don't want to talk about? Is it Katie?"
"I know she'll be looked after. I'm not worried about her. A bit worried about Eileen and how she'll cope but I know she'll get a lot of help."
"Well then."
"They say I'll get better. Properly better. Should be able to go back to work."
"Aye. When you're ready of course."
Nick looked wearily at Oscar and the Sergeant saw it immediately. "I understand lad," he said gently. "You're not sure you want to."
