Chapter 74 - THE WHITE WALL
By the River Swale
Thomas stretched out his legs on a grassy knoll along the river. It was a pleasant day, and he was enjoying the heat of the sun on his face. He wished he could remember why he was there. When he looked into his mind, he saw only an imposing white wall. As he gazed at the river, a word floated across the wall, a word spelled out in wooden letters. Boat. He was waiting for a boat.
Voices careened up the path and disturbed Thomas' peace. Angry voices. He looked down the path and saw Bates and Minnie arguing. Thomas could see their words flying about their heads like daggers and falling to the ground where their sharp points stuck into the dirt. He watched as Minnie turned and ran down the path to the Abbey. There! He knew he could count on Bates to protect him.
Bates waved and hurried up the path to Thomas. He leaned against Old Ram and rested his hand on Thomas' shoulder. "What are you doing here, little brother?" Bates' gentle voice mixed with the sun and kissed Thomas' face. "Pooh ... what are you doing?"
"Boat," replied Thomas, patting his bag.
"You're taking a boat?"
"Boat."
"Pooh, you wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to Anna, would you? She'd be heartbroken."
Thomas saw a new word against the white wall, written in strawberries. "Sweetheart."
"That's right, Pooh, Anna calls you sweetheart. Put on your shoes and we'll go see her together." Bates held out a pair of shoes, but Thomas had shoes and returned his gaze to the river. "Pooh, look at your feet."
Thomas looked at his feet. They were bare. When did I take off my shoes? He felt dizzy. The sun was too hot now.
"You're all right, Pooh," reassured Bates. "It's been a confusing day for me too. Put on your shoes quickly now. Anna's expecting us." Thomas obediently slipped on the shoes, but his hands were shaking, and he could not tie them. "It doesn't matter. We're not going that far." Bates held out his hand and pulled Thomas to his feet. "You should wear your coat, Pooh. You want to be dressed properly when you see Anna." He helped Thomas slip the coat over his pyjamas.
When did I take off my coat? Thomas picked up his bag and felt his knees giving way.
"Help me, little brother. My leg's worse than usual. I need a little support." Thomas forgot his weak knees and wrapped his arm around Bates' waist. "Thank you, Pooh. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Thomas concentrated on keeping Bates steady, and before he knew it, they were at the cottage. Bates opened the door. "I saw Dr Clarkson's car. Thomas, go straight to the bedroom!" ordered Bates.
Thomas froze. He could feel the hard edge of Bates' words grate against his skin. Something was wrong. He saw BEDROOM in large black letters against the white wall, but the letters were upside down.
Anna set down her mending and rushed to Thomas' side. "It's all right, sweetheart. John wants you to wait in the bedroom while Dr Clarkson is here."
A firm knock sounded at the door. Each rap rattled Thomas' brain. He clutched his bag to his chest and ran into the bedroom.
"We're agreed?" Thomas heard Bates ask Anna.
"We're agreed," Anna replied. She smiled at Thomas and shut the bedroom door.
