CHAPTER 20 : MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Arthur was tired; it had been a busy day. He had been worrying about getting back into a car. To begin with in the stop and go traffic it hadn't been difficult but once the traffic speeded up he began to feel differently.

Once he was on the highway, he closed his eyes when Tom passed semis. He felt a hand on his shoulder and grasped it. Merlin knew how he felt. He said quietly, "Should we pull over at next exit?"

Tom turned his head saying, "It's not any trouble, Arthur."

Arthur shook his head but Merlin had already decided that they would take the next exit and take a break at the next suitable pub.

Later Merlin mentioned the drive while they were having room service in Arthur's suite, "Did it get better as the time went by?"

"A little... I knew that Tom was driving a little more slowly than usual. I was fine in town but once the lorries were on the road, I felt strange. Not that I remember much about the accident just knowing that we were hit by one was enough."

"Maybe we could get Tom to come back and we could drive around on quieter roads until you feel more comfortable."

Arthur crossed his fingers as he said, "Maybe, but I would like to wait for a few days, until I get into my routine here."

Merlin nodded, before adding, "This is fantastic ice-cream. Never had ginger before!"

Arthur loved how the simplest things made Merlin happy, "We can have it every night, if you want."

Licking his spoon and grinning, Merlin said, "I don't think that my mother would approve." He put his spoon down and pushed himself away from the table. "That was an excellent meal. Do you want to watch some TV or are you ready to turn in? You'll have a big day tomorrow."

Arthur was noncommittal. He pushed away from the table and walked to the window. In the distance, he could see the lights of a village as well as what he guessed were the security lights around the main gateway. He wondered if someone was living in the lodge.

He didn't broach the subject of sharing the bed. He knew Merlin wasn't ready but then again, neither was he. It was too soon in their relationship and he wasn't going to jeopardise it by jumping the gun.

He turned back to Merlin saying, "Yes, I am tired. Hope your bed will be comfy." He glanced towards the papers on the table and said, "I have to be downstairs by ten." He moved towards Merlin and put his arms on his shoulders, "Merlin, for as long as we are together, promise me, we will never go to bed angry with each other. Each night, I will expect a kiss and a hug."

"Me too!" Merlin said smiling and wrapped his arms around Arthur, pulling him closer to him, "One only? Or can I have two or maybe three?"

"Hundreds..." said Arthur as he titled his head up towards Merlin's lips.

-0-0-

Merlin loved his little room and had on the whole slept well. He had kept an ear open in case Arthur needed him. They had both slept right through until seven o'clock. He got up and made his way across the hall to the main bathroom, as only Arthur's room had an ensuite. He chuckled to himself as he walked into a rather up-grade bathroom and thought, 'Beggars can't be choosers!' He was soon ready. He had been tiptoeing around as he didn't want to wake Arthur but he then heard him and knew that he was awake.

He tapped gently on the door and said, "Morning, Arthur. Hope I didn't disturb you. Do you need a hand?"

"That would be great, I'm always a little stiff in the mornings and it makes everything a little harder to do. If you could pass me my cane, I intend to walk to the bathroom."

Merlin knelt by the bed putting Arthur's feet into his slippers, passed him the cane and stood at his side with his hand cupping his elbow. "All right, one, two, three!" Arthur was standing upright… He walked beside him to the wet room, offering to get the shower to the right temperature.

"You know, I think I'll shower after my exercises. You could get my shaving things ready I think I left them on the dresser." He noticed Merlin's worried face, "Don't worry, this room is set up for handicapped souls, look at all the hand grips. If I get in a mess I'll just stay where I am." Arthur disappeared into the toilet area and Merlin left him alone.

He knew he was worrying but he hoped he wasn't being too fussy. Graham had taken everything in stride but some of this was new to him. He heard a tap at the door and realised it was breakfast ordered the previous night. He called out, "Arthur, I'm going to get the breakfast trays, are you OK?"

A muffled, "Stop worrying, Merlin!" came from the other room.

Merlin went into the hallway and saw the two trays on a little table beside the door, suddenly he felt hungry. He put them in the little dining area and grabbing the toiletries made his way back to Arthur who had advanced to standing in front of the sink, glaring at the mirror.

"Should I shave?"

"It's up to you! I liked you with a few days growth when you were in a coma. Why don't you let it grow for a couple of days, then decide?"

"It might tickle…"Arthur said with a sly grin.

"I don't know, I've never let mine go for more than a couple of days but it didn't bother me."

This time grinning broadly, Arthur again repeated, "It might tickle…you!"

Merlin finally realised what he meant and laughed, "Arthur, I can assure you a minor tickle is not going to interfere with my kissing you! Why don't we eat first and then you can get washed and ready? The breakfast is here and your initial interview isn't until ten o'clock. We can go down early and you can get an idea of the general layout of the place." He removed the covers off the plates.

The two of them sat comfortably on the couch and ate off their trays. "…and we don't even have to do the dishes," laughed Merlin.

"Well, don't get to used to it as once we're home, we'll have to do our own dishes."

Merlin felt warmth spread through his body at Arthur's use of the phrase 'once we're home'.

By half past nine, Arthur was ready. Merlin insisted that they use the wheelchair until they got to the lift. "You don't want to arrive downstairs huffing and puffing like a steam train."

For that smart-aleck remark, Merlin received a punch in the arm. He gave a fake yelp and Arthur said, "Aww, Didums! Do you need a kiss to make it better?"

Merlin laughed but found himself in Arthur's arms so he said, "Yes, I think that ought to do it."

Suddenly, Merlin realised that the time was passing and he stole a glance at his watch, it was now quarter to ten, "Arthur, enough, as if we don't make a move now, they will be sending someone to find you and you'd be found giving mouth-to-mouth to your unworthy manservant!"

Arthur manoeuvred himself away from him laughing and sat in the wheelchair. "Should we lock our door?"

"Don't know what the policy is? Maybe I could find out while you see Dr. Whoever."

By ten, they had got to the exercise area and were waiting for the therapist. She seemed most capable, very strong and Merlin had visions of the excruciating things she might do to him if he were in Arthur's position. However, she was very nice and after explaining it would take about an hour for her to go through all the paperwork with Arthur, she suggested that one of the carers give Merlin a tour of the facilities.

-0-0-

Merlin was given a whirlwind tour. It was quite busy and some areas were out of bounds to visitors. There were observation rooms over both the pool and gym but that according to the carer was a far as Merlin would be able to go. "Do you work for him?" she asked.

Merlin said that he had been with him since shortly after the accident.

She took that to mean in an official capacity and said, "It's hard work isn't it? Practically twenty-four hours at some point…!"

Merlin just nodded, he wasn't going to lie. He thought, 'Yes, I'd be quite happy to take care of Arthur, twenty four seven.' He felt the heat in his cheeks.

His guide didn't notice as she just kept chattering away, "Mind you there are some perks, the wages are good and if the client is well-off, the accommodation is usually very agreeable. Are you from this area of the country? You know we get patients, oops I'm supposed to call them residents, from as far away as Edinburgh...nice man but the music he played was always bagpipes and we all got tired of that quickly.

"Now we are back where we started," she stood and whirled around, "The main reception and offices are down there and the dining room and library are in the other direction. What suite is your employer in?"

Merlin almost blurted out Tintagel but he bit his tongue and said he wasn't sure as they had only arrived yesterday. He knew that he didn't want their personal information broadcast to anyone who wanted to listen. "You could answer one question though, do the residents keep their rooms locked?"

"Well, it depends upon their stage of recovery. If they are ambulatory and have private carers, the door are often locked. Housekeepers all have master keys. Not to worry as if you get locked out Mr. Harris, can always if necessary break down the door!" She laughed thinking she was hilarious.

Merlin smiled and said, "Thank you so much for the tour. You have been very helpful."

"Any time, I'm always around…Tina by the way."

Merlin nodded and said formally, "Thank you Tina." If she noticed that he had omitted his own name she never let on and disappeared into one of the doors marked Staff Only. He sat in a chair in the hall way, took out his iPhone and waited.

-0-0-

Arthur soon appeared. It had taken longer than expected and he said that he was hungry and he had heard that there was a resident's cafeteria in the basement.

"Why don't you use the chair as a walker? If we go back towards reception, there must be a lift."

Arthur agreed saying, "I am scheduled to do whirlpool treatment this afternoon around two but first Dr. Smaltzer wants me to have a little something to eat and then take a walk around the circuit behind this building. By the sounds of it, I will be spending a fair amount of time walking and she even mentioned jogging on one of the machines in the gym."

Merlin's first retort was to say, 'Well, don't fall over' but then he remembered when he was on the school swim team someone had unkindly said, 'I hope you don't drown!' Instead he said, "Great, I enjoy walking we can do it together."

Arthur looked at him and said, "Well, Merlin, I certainly don't intend to do it all by myself." He glanced over his shoulder and seeing that no one was there, stretched over and placed a kiss on Merlin's cheek.

Merlin said, "I think we will have to be careful as the girl who showed me around was a real gossip. Don't want to blow my position as manservant, do I?"

"Manservant…as if!" Arthur said with a grin.

-0-0-

The cafeteria was bright and cheerful. They then found the circuit and Arthur did make it three-quarters of the way around by pushing the wheelchair. However, by the last quarter, he was really tired and let Merlin wheel him the rest of the way. His coordination had improved and but he was still not one hundred percent stable on his feet. "That was harder than I thought. I've a long way to go."

"You did really well. Do you now go back to the pool area?"

"No, I have to return to my room and change. Seems in the wardrobe there are dressing robes and the residents wear them to go to and from their rooms."

"Sounds like a spa," Merlin added.

"Merlin, what do you know about spas?"

"I do watch TV, you know! I even read, and I've been to movies." They reached the door to their suite and Merlin opened it, "We can lock it when we're not here as the housekeeping staff will have a key."

He walked into the dressing room and sure enough in a cupboard there was a rather expensive looking cream dressing gown. "Here it is…looks really posh."

"You can borrow it when we're lounging around in the evenings as Ellie packed one for me."

Merlin rubbed his face against the plush material and decided he would probably take Arthur up on that offer.

-0-0-

Arthur was soon caught up in his exercise routines and everyday, he walked further and further unassisted on the track. Merlin always accompanied him and they talked their heads off together. They had no secrets and each day learned more about each other.

The lap pool was another success and Dr. Smaltzer decided that Arthur would benefit from friendly competition. When she heard that his friend Merlin had competed in university, she decided to invite him to use the pool but only on weekdays so that no visiting weekend guests felt that the pool facilities were also for them and their children.

Merlin one afternoon upon return to his room found on his bed, one of the rehab centre's spa dressing gown. He slipped it on and went into Arthur who was sitting by the window. "How about this?" he asked.

"Told you that you could borrow it, it looks good on you but more importantly, what do you have on underneath?"

"It's actually mine, it was on the end of my bed when we came back and…." He flashed Arthur who was disappointed to see that he was fully clothed, "Wonder why they decided to give one to me too."

Arthur said, "Mentioned in passing to Dr. Smaltzer that we were swimming together so maybe she asked for an extra one for this suite."

"Gawaine will be pissed when he sees them; he'll want one as well."

But Gawaine wasn't their first visitor as there was a phone call from reception notifying Arthur that a Mr. and Mrs. Tanner were there to see him. Arthur's face lit up hoping that Tom had remembered his instructions. He decided they would go downstairs to greet them and he used his walker.

Tom stood up as soon as Arthur entered the room, remarking on how well he looked. He slipped something to Arthur as Ellie and Merlin were talking, saying in a quiet voice, "British racing green with a white top." Arthur nodded.

They had a pleasant visit with Ellie extolling the virtues of a certain spotted cat. Merlin smiled, he was sure that Spot must by now be completely spoiled.

Tom added, "…and didn't she catch a mouse? Pleased as punch she was to bring it back to the kitchen door as a offering for our hospitality."

"And then you had to pick it up and put it in the bin," Ellie added.

Merlin laughed at Tom saying, "Yes but after all she had done all the difficult work. I can't believe it, such a clever cat!"

Arthur raised his eyes to heaven saying, "A typical cat-owner's response!" and Merlin nudged him in the arm.

Arthur insisted that they went upstairs to see his suite and then out to see the pool where he and Merlin swam everyday regardless of the weather. They walked over to Tom's car where they said their goodbyes. Ellie whispered to Merlin, "Keep an eye on him, he's doing so well, you must be good for him."

Merlin smiled saying, "…and him for me!"

Walking back to the front door Merlin said, "Arthur, look there's a Mini Cooper S, like my mother's but in green."

Arthur smiled and said innocently, "So it is…"

-0-0-

Saturday rolled around, the end of for Arthur, a long week. They both slept in and Arthur made them coffee in their room as he said that as he had a free day, he wanted to stroll around in the grounds before they became crowded with visitors.

Once around the track during which time Merlin twice insisted that Arthur was addicted to the place and Arthur then led them back towards the building via the parking lot. The little green car was still there. As they passed it, Arthur slipped something in Merlin's hand saying, "It's not enough to show you how much help you have been to me and how much I love you…but it is something."

Merlin glanced down and saw keys in his hand and recognised the logo as that of a Mini. He looked at Arthur in surprise.

"Well, aren't you going to ask me to go for the first drive in your new car?" Arthur said with a huge grin.

Merlin was dumbfounded; Arthur had got a car to drive while they were at Nonsuch. They would be able to go out to supper or on the weekend drive around the countryside. This was gong to be fun. He ran his hand lovingly over the white roof and said, "Arthur, this is brilliant, we will have wheels…what a great idea, where did you rent it and how long can we use it."

Arthur looked at him puzzled and finally said, "Merlin, it's not rented, it's yours! It's a present for you."

Merlin felt his legs go weak. This car was his…he couldn't get it straight in his mind. He'd told Arthur he had a license and that his mother had a Mini but he would never have thought in a million years that Arthur would have remembered, let alone gone out and got him one. Well, maybe not gone out exactly but arranged to have it delivered and everything.

"How did it get here?"

"Ellie drove it up when they came. It's fully insured and I expect you to take me out in it this afternoon. I'd like to go for lunch in a riverside pub and don't worry, there's plenty of room from my wheelchair or walker."

Merlin turned and in the parking lot in front of any curious eyes watching from the windows, threw his arms around Arthur and gave him a big hug.

"By the way," said Arthur, "That's a belated Christmas present from last year."

"Arthur, you can't…this is enough to cover all Christmases and birthdays from now on." He looked into Arthur's eyes smiling and whispered, "…I have a car, and a Mini to boot!" He tipped Arthur's chin up and gave him a little kiss, "Part payment, if you like…"

"I like very much!" said Arthur as Merlin used the remote to open the car. "There's plenty of space and look the seat slides all the way back. Arthur, I still can't believe what you have done."

"Before I get in, have you your license on you?"

Merlin shook his head, "It's upstairs…"

"Well, go and get it and I'll sit in your car and wait for you." Merlin helped Arthur get settled in the passenger's seat and as Arthur said, "Don't be long."

Merlin called over his shoulder, "Shan't!" as he raced for the building.

Arthur sat, happily twiddling the knobs and checking the manual. He really couldn't figure out if Merlin was happier to receive the car or if he was happier giving it to him. This was going to be fun, he intended to spoil Merlin for the rest of his life. He saw him coming and beeped the horn. Merlin grinned and acknowledged him with a wave.

-0-0-

They'd been out most of the day. They'd found a pub with gardens that descended to a river full of ducks and the occasional swan. Merlin was exploring the riverside but Arthur had remained under the trees on a bench. He smiled to himself he had always felt sure that he would have felt embarrassed being in a wheelchair or using a walker but actually for him it was a badge of success. He'd come from a coma to a walker. He was quite satisfied with his progress and he knew someone who was proud of him. That someone was now coming up the path towards him, the sun was shining on him like a spotlight. He loved him with all his heart, it was a lovely position to be in and he hoped that everyone who wanted to be in love would one day have the chance. It was a wonderful feeling.

They walked slowly back to the car, Merlin smiling at the kids playing on the swings and slides while their parents had a drink. He helped Arthur back into the car, finally getting in himself. He turned to Arthur and said, "Now, where to?"

Arthur said with a soft smile, "Home, James!" and Merlin smiled back.