Chapter 8
The doors to A and E swung open and the trolley of which jack lay upon was wheeled in by the two paramedics that had rescued them. Laurence followed closely behind. A blanket was wrapped around his shoulders. Three doctors rushed to Jack's side, including the Top Doctor of the hospital. "OK, Male, shot wound to his stomach. Blood pressure dropping fast. I can feel a faint pulse. Julie, beep theatre, tell them to keep a theatre free, we need to get him in now. Jan get me some anti-sickness fluids." he ordered. The nurses did as they were told as Laurence watched on. "He's going to be alright isn't he?" he asked. Jack wasn't just his fellow officer, he was his friend too. The doctor looked at him. "We can't say until he is in theatre. Are you a relative?". Laurence shook his head. "No. Jack and I are police officers. We were on a job and...It all happened so fast" said Laurence, who was shaking. Another nurse came over to him "Let's get you into a cubicle. Take a look at you" she said holding his arms to steady him. Laurence shook his head. "No. I'm alright. I need to contact Jack's family. They'll need to know". The nurse shook her head. "We're on it. I need to take a look at you. Please" she said. Laurence looked at her and sighed. "Fine. Just promise me they'll look after Jack" he called. She smiled at him. "He'll be fine. Don't worry he's in safe hands now" she looked towards where the doctors were preparing for theatre. Laurence sighed and followed her to a cubicle.
"Oh my god. Is he Ok?...Ok thanks...Yeh, we'll be right there. Bye". Tony Holden placed the phone down on the table and turned to look at his youngest son, Lucas. "That was the hospital. Jack's been taken in"
"What? Why?" asked Lucas, whose voice was quivering. Tony looked at him. "He's erm...He's been shot"
"Oh my god! Is he alright? Is he dead?" Lucas asked panicking. Tony shook his head. "No. They're just going to get him to theatre. We'd better go. I'll call Alf on the way and get him to inform Martha, she's still in hospital" He grabbed his jacket and keys, closely followed by Lucas. "Lets go"
"Oh.. Thanks for letting me know. I'm going back to the hospital so I'll inform Martha. Yeh, I suppose I'll see you there then" Alf said. "Oh, and Tony, I'm thinking of you all. Yeh, bye mate" Alf put the phone back in it's designated spot and headed back out to the hospital.
"Martha!" he said, breathlessly, as he entered the room she was in. "Granddad, what's wrong?" she called. He took a moment to get his breath back. "It's Jack. He's been shot". Martha felt tears well up in her eyes. By now she was sat in bed. The pain she had experienced had gone but they were still waiting for blood tests to come back. "What? Where is he?" she cried. Alf looked at her. "On the ward just above yours. He's in theatre at the minute though." Martha let out a small cry. "Theatre?"
"Yeh, they need to stitch the wound" Alf informed her. She shook her head. "This isn't happening. I want to see him Granddad" she sobbed, He nodded. "When he comes out of theatre. Just relax. Don't get worked up. It's not good for you. I'm going to get a drink. Do you want one?" he asked, Martha shook her head. "No" she cried. Alf left the room. Gentle tears formed in Martha's eyes as she lay back on her bed, praying Jack was alright. It's all my fault she thought to herself. I should have told him the truth. And I will, as soon as he's out of theatre. I'll tell him the truth. I promise...
