Chapter Ten

When Rose lifted her head again she was surprised to find her Mum deep in conversation with the doctor who was making his rounds.

"You could have woken me!"

"Good morning to you too. I'm just finding out about John."

"How… how is he?"

The doctor replied,

"The leg will heel now that it's plated and plastered but he will require considerable physiotherapy. Your Mother was just saying there is a pool he can use for a lot of that which will help when we are able to discharge him. He's been awake..."

"He has? When? Why didn't anyone wake me? I said I'd be here when he woke up!"

"Rose calm down!" hissed Jackie.

"We didn't wake you because he has been drifting in and out of consciousness and you were sleeping."

"But he was awake before I went to sleep! Why is he drifting? When will he wake up properly?"

"When he is ready to and it's perfectly normal for a patient to be drowsy after a head injury and surgery Miss Tyler."

"But he will alright… won't he?"

"I see no reason why not. He took a nasty fall and the skull fracture indicates considerable force when he fell but the fact that he has been conscious and able to respond to simple requests is very encouraging."

Rose echoed the word questioningly,

"Encouraging?"

"Head injuries are impossible to predict. He may be different. What was he like before the fall?"

Rose shook her head and Jackie also remained silent. The doctor took their silence for shock and added kindly,

"It's been a shock I'm sure but he really should make a full recovery. He's young and in great physical shape… He'll mend. Please feel free to contact me through my secretary but I'll be doing my rounds again tomorrow morning."

"How long before he can come home?" asked Jackie.

"Once he is fully conscious and able to get around on crutches we can discharge him in to the care of the physiotherapists. It shouldn't be long."

When the doctor left Rose sank back in to her chair and sighed,

"This is all my fault."

"Don't say that."

"But it is. If I hadn't…"

"I can't say you are blameless but he didn't have to try and leave in secret. He should have stayed and at least talked to us."

"He was hurt… by me."

"You said but he should have stayed."

A low moan made both women turn to face John.

"Mum please let me be alone with him."

"Don't upset him."

Rose looked hurt and replied sharply,

"Yeah right, Mum please leave us alone."

Jackie was about to retort when John moaned more loudly and Rose moved to his side. She waited until Jackie had closed the door behind her until she spoke,

"I'm here are you in any pain?"

"A little."

"You have a pump here to use. You can self administer pain relief but it won't let you overdose, it's very clever. Shall I press it?"

"Yes please."

Rose pressed the button and waited several minutes until John spoke again.

"It's good."

"Does you head still ache? You know… like before?

"It's not as bad no but my leg hurts."

"You broke it when you fell. Where were you going John?"

"I don't know. Just away."

"I know I hurt you terribly and I can't tell you how sorry I am. When I saw you lying there… I thought… I was scared you…"

"Does it need saying?"

Rose looked up sharply,

"What did you say?"

John shook his head slightly,

"I said… I don't remember exactly but you don't need to say it?"

"You said does it need saying? He said that the first time he left me."

"I'm sorry."

"No it's alright some of the things he said are bound to come out of you sometimes… You are so alike; almost twins in a way."

"But not enough alike for you." John sighed, "I'm so tired."

"Go back to sleep. When you wake up again I'll help you to eat something OK?"

John nodded and closed his eyes. When Rose was sure he was asleep she went to find her Mother.

"I knew you'd be here with a cup of tea."

"Well if you can be civil you can join me."

"No you come with me please I don't want John to wake up alone."

Jackie didn't reply or protest and she followed Rose to his room.

"He looks better." said Jackie, "He has more colour."

"I think the pain makes him go pale and we just used the pain relief pump."

"Is his head or leg hurting him?"

"He said his leg. He says the pain in his head is getting better. I hope so."

"So is he coming back to the mansion when he is discharged?"

"Yes."

"You sound very sure have you asked him if he wants to. Remember he was leaving."

"He's coming back Mum. It's his home."

Jackie nodded.

"Can you tell him I was here too?"

"Are you leaving already?"

"Look at you Rose. You're in the same clothes you arrived in and I know you've barely slept."

"I missed him waking up."

"You know what I mean. I'll go home and pick up some stuff for you. You may as well be comfortable and as I'm sure I won't be able to get you home I'll have them set up a camp bed in here for you."

"Thanks Mum and no I'm not leaving here until he does. Give Dad and Tony my love."

"I will, now you take care and I'll be back later."

Rose didn't have very long to wait until John woke again and as he was a private patient she was able to have some food arranged for him quite quickly. A pot of tea, tomato soup and a ham sandwich was his first meal in a long time and although he ate slowly he cleared the plate, bowl and cup.

"When did you last eat Rose?" he asked when he had finished.

"I'm fine don't worry about me. Mum said to say hello."

"Is she very angry with me?"

"She isn't exactly happy with you but not angry no. Maybe a little hurt. She thinks you should have talked to her and Dad before…"

"Before leaving?"

Rose nodded.

"You will come back to the house when you are discharged won't you?"

"I don't know. I've nowhere else to go but maybe Pete could help me out until I get on my feet."

"I want you to come back. It's your home."

"No Rose it's your home, yours, Tony's and your parents home but not mine."

"Can't we even try?" Rose looked down.

John was silent for so long that she thought he may have gone back to sleep but only when she looked up did he reply,

"Do you want to?"

"Yes."

"And you're not just saying that? Because you told me there was no one else for you?"

"I'm not just saying it. I have feelings for you so maybe we can explore them?"

"Feelings? Because I look like him?"

"You're attractive like him but I'm seeing differences… Qualities even that he doesn't have."

"This is a bit deep for when I'm so tired but yes… If you want me to come back and if you want us to try again then I'd like that too."

Rose stood up and moved forwards to embrace him. His voice was muffled by her shoulder but he added,

"And I want to see you look after yourself too. So while I get some more shut eye I want you to promise me you'll get something to eat." his hand was pressed against her back, "You're too thin Rose I can feel your bones!"

"I'm fine but I will get something to eat." She planted a kiss on his forehead and left after he had promised to try and go right back to sleep. After she left he pressed the pain relief pump once and waited for the drug to work. Sleep was fast to come after the pain relief kicked in.