One Moment by Linda Green

Author:Linda Green [Green, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quercus
Published: 2019-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

BEFORE 10

10

Kaz

When I arrive at the psychiatric unit the next morning, I’m told that Terry’s been taken to Nightingale ward. It means he’s not in a good way, I know that. He’s been in there every other time when he’s first been admitted. You don’t go home from Nightingale or Swallow, though. You have to be well enough to be in Kingfisher or Goldfinch before they’ll consider letting you out.

Terry looks like he hasn’t had any sleep either when they show me to his room. He is sitting in the chair next to the bed and looks to have aged about ten years overnight. I try to give him a reassuring smile, but he stares straight through me.

‘Hello, love,’ I say, putting the holdall down on the floor. ‘I’ve brought you some more clothes as I didn’t have time to grab much last night.’

Terry looks at the bag then back at me.

‘I can’t find my torch,’ he says.

‘I know. Police are looking after it for you.’

‘I want it back. I need to keep checking.’

‘I’ll bring it back when they’re finished with it,’ I reply.

‘Are you working for them now?’ he asks.

I sigh. I know I need to keep him onside but it’s not easy.

I walk over to the window. ‘At least you’ve got a better view, this time,’ I say, looking out at the square of grass and flower borders below.

‘I liked looking at car park,’ says Terry.

I manage a smile. The boy who could name pretty much any vehicle he saw had never got tired of looking at cars. I turn back to Terry.

‘When you see doctor later, you need to tell them about how you’ve been feeling.’

‘How have I been feeling?’ asks Terry.

I sigh and walk back over to him. ‘You’ve got in a bit of a state. About rats and that.’

‘Screaming girls and chocolate twirls,’ he replies. He does remember, although I am not convinced that he understands.

I crouch down in front of him, so he can’t avoid looking at me.

‘They were screaming because of what you did, Terry.’

‘I were saving them from rats.’

I shake my head. ‘No, you weren’t. There were no rats, Terry.’

‘You’re only saying that because you’re one of them, now. Matthew says you’ve crossed to dark side. You don’t give a toss about me.’

I feel the muscles in my neck tense. I put my face closer to his. ‘You slid under cubicle door when a twelve-year-old girl were in there. You scared fucking life out of her and her friends. That’s why they were screaming.’

I stand up and head back to the window, still shaking my head. It is quiet for a long time. I know I shouldn’t have snapped. I know it was not his fault. I know he doesn’t really hate me. I know all of these things, but sometimes it is so bloody hard to keep myself together.

I turn round. Terry is frowning. I am not stupid enough to think he is questioning what happened. He never does that until he starts to get well again.

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