Sheridan sat at his mother's bedside holding her hand and singing songs they both liked, British patriotic music and show tunes. He knew that would bring his still unconscious mother comfort.
"You'll never walk alone," sang Sheridan.
Liz looked at her phone and panicked for a second.
" Oh dear, how will I ever tell Emmet. He only sees what your Mum wants him to see, not the vulnerable women she is. Maybe now, he'll realize she's actually human now. I'll be back."
" He's a nice chap. I'm sure he just hates Mum's behavior, not her," said Sheridan.
" Oh I'm sure you're right Sheridan. I'm just stepping out," Liz went to call Emmet.
" Let us help you, Mum. We all love you so much."
He knew things would be hard for his mother. As a child, some of her obsessive and narcissistic tendencies annoyed him. As he got older they worried him sometimes, along with her naïvety. It was a wonder she hadn't fallen for scams that targeted older adults. He was thankful for that, at least. If she could be convinced to have long term counseling and had an excellent counselor, he thought she may be more like the young lady who Daisy, Rose and Violet had told Sheridan about. But for now she needed much more immediate help. He wondered what her reaction would be when she came to. He feared she'd be very resistant to assessment and treatment.
A nurse came in the room and introduced herself to Sheridan.
" I'm Helen. I'm the nurse that will be by Hyacinth when she regains consciousness,observing her and making sure she stays safe. Are you family?"
" Her son, Sheridan. Were you notified of her preferred pronunciation of her last name?"
" Yes, this room is also monitored so the staff has surveillance of it at all times, and we've taken all the precautions to keep your mother safe."
" Thank you for everything."
" You're very welcome."
A few minutes later, Elizabeth stepped back into the room. Hyacinth's doctor had the tube in her stomach removed as the contents were empty. Hyacinth groaned.
" Mrs Bucket?,questioned the doctor.
" Hyacinth,it's Elizabeth."
" I'm here,Mum."
"I'm going to check your vital signs,Mrs Bucket. My name is Jean. I'm the A & E nurse."
" You are in hospital, Mrs. Bucket," said her doctor, Dr. Jones.
"Mrs. Bucket, your heart rate is closer to normal," said Jean.
Just then, the opening notes of Hip to Be Square came from Sheridan's phone. Hyacinth raised her eyebrows, something she usually did in disapproval.
" You're in there somewhere, Mum. Even if you aren't responding. I'll be back." Sheridan took the call from Tarquin.
Hyacinth mumbled, " Mummy, Daddy,Richard,I'm coming." She opened her eyes and saw Jean. " Mummy?"
" Mrs Bucket, I'm Jean, an A&E nurse. You are at Coventry Hospital." Times like this made Jean wish she could drop the the professionalism. It was hard seeing patients regain consciousness and be confused.
" What… I, not heaven? Elizabeth?" Hyacinth tried to sit up.
" Stay still, Mrs. Bucket. I'm the A&E Doctor, Doctor Jones."
" I'm in hospital. Elizabeth?"
" I'm here Hyacinth. I had to help." She grabbed Hyacinth's hand.
" Mrs. Bucket we have to run some more tests. I'm your doctor, Dr. Jones. We are here to keep you healthy and safe. It's important we know what happened and help keep you physically and mentally well."
" I'm not like Mummy that way,no,no I'm fine."
Sheridan walked into the room.
" Mum, oh Mum!" Sheridan held her hand and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
" What? How? You must be so…ashamed. I want to cry." Hyacinth wasn't used to allowing herself show negative emotions to others.
" I'm not, Mum. People have seen plenty of crying in hospital. It's acceptable. I want to understand what's troubling you and how I can help."
" What do you all want with me?" asked Hyacinth in a monotone voice.
" To help you stay safe and get well. My name is Helen, I'm a psychiatric nurse," said Helen.
"Psychiatric?" Hyacinth's eyes went wide.
" It's alright, Mrs. Bucket. There is no need to be frightened. If you want to harm yourself still, I'll sit with and help keep you safe."
" This is a wonderful hospital,Hyacinth. I was impressed with the care Gayle received here," said Elizabeth.
" I.. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can maintain composure." Hyacinth hadn't cried in front of people in years.
" We are here to help, not judge Mrs. Bucket," said Dr. Jones.
" I.. I'll manage."
" Everyone needs help, Mum."
" We are going to run some tests. It's what we call toxicology. We need to see what remains in your system, since using a tube to empty your stomach," explained Dr. Jones.
" You, oh dear, you know, don't you?"
"Know what, Mrs. Bucket," asked Dr, Jones.
" How.. I, what I took."
" Yes, we think we do, but not how much and when."
" I.. I can't talk.."
"Just have a good cry, Mum. Liz and I will be with you as long as you need."
Hyacinth sobbed unable to speak.
"Mrs. Bucket, was this full when you took it?" Asked Dr. Jones showing the bottle Elizabeth brought.
Hyacinth gasped and closed her eyes, slowly nodding.
" Now there are some questions we ask everyone, especially in situations like yours,alright," asked Helen.
Hyacinth nodded.
" Do you have any plans to harm yourself or others?"
" I don't know, I.. I want this to go away. I'm sorry,so sorry. I.. I won't hurt others." Sheridan and Elizabeth had never seen her so vulnerable and weak.
" Hyacinth, you don't need to be so frightened. Things have changed for the better in psychiatric care since you were young," said Elizabeth.
" Your friend is right. No one is going to hurt you. Helen can sit with you, if you feel like hurting yourself. She'll get help if need be,"said Dr. Jones.
" Don't leave me Elizabeth, Sheridan."
" We'll stay as long as we can, Mum."
" Mrs. Bucket, do you feel things will ever get better?,"asked Dr. Jones.
" I.. I don't think so."
"Did you have a plan?"
"Yes, the pills, whole bottle."
" What led up to the attempt?"
" Daddy, Mummy and my dear husband are gone. I don't want to talk anymore."
" May, I talk to your son and friend about your attempt?"
" I'm a respectable person."
" Mum, this is not about character flaws, or saving face and keeping up appearances. Even Princess Diana struggled with depression," said Sheridan.
" Your son is right," said Dr. Jones.
" Fine. I'm exhausted."
" I'll stay with you, then Hyacinth," said Helen.
" That's nice, dear," said Hyacinth absentmindedly who closed her eyes wishing she could go into a deep sleep forever.
Meanwhile in the doctor's office Elizabeth and Sheridan were talking to Dr. Jones.
" What she told you makes sense, as that's how I found her and that's what was in the note about her family. She was so good at minimizing her emotions that I thought she'd just throw herself into church work and keep on with her life. She will be having a more comprehensive assessment I assume?, asked Elizabeth.
" We will try. She seems very resistant."
" Mum has always been stubborn, obsessed with keeping up appearances, a bit narcissistic. I know she won't tell you that, but think it's very important for you to know,"
" Was her mother mentally ill?," asked Dr Jones.
" I was puzzled by that I'm not like Mum, bit. Was she Sheridan?"asked Elizabeth.
" Well, according to my Aunt Violet, it sounds like she had Bipolar Disorder and spent most of the the 1950's and 1960's in psychiatric hospitals. I think is afraid she'll be hospitalized for long periods of time. She died when I was young,"said Sheridan.
" I see, that explains that fear. I'll consult with the psychiatrist, Dr. Ward. When your mother goes home, will you be able to give her support?"
" I'll move in with her and Liz is right next door."
" Good, she seems to love you very much. She appears to be doing better physically, but I am concerned about that fragile mental state. It's important she be able to cope with her feelings better," said Dr. Jones.
" Oh, of course. It will be a long road ahead of her, but with Liz and I advocating, I trust she'll get what she needs. Do you think the psychiatrist could evaluate her tonight?," said Sheridan.
" Yes, I do, then our team will decide the best way to proceed. I really hope we can convince your mother to stay voluntarily."
" She's too weak to go home tonight isn't she?, asked Elizabeth.
" Yes, and we are still waiting on test results."
" Thanks so much Dr. Jones," said Sheridan.
" You are welcome, now let's go to your Mother."
Elizabeth and Sheridan left feeling very confident with Hyacinth's medical team.