The Janeites by Nicolas Freeling Read Free Book Online Page A

But also reason. Doorway: stop and have a little rest.
    This is the centre of the town. Pharmacy-aplenty. Medieval town, they have medieval names. “Serpent,” said Raymond out loud. “Virgin. Rose. Iron Man.” Mentally, something was still functioning. Somebody took his arm.
    “Man – you need help.”
    “Yes. Pharmacy.”
    “Right. Yes. Good idea. Along here. Not far. Can you walk?”
    Bright light. Very bright, far too bright. In streaks, a young woman’s face, a white overall. She opened her mouth and said “Woo.” She took hold of him by the shoulders. “Sit. Here. I’ll get the chef .”Lights zigged and zagged all over the shop. Better with the eyes shut. As long as there are still eyes. Then a man’s voice. “That’s a nasty smash. Here, drink this.”
    Admirable; familiar; old-fashioned restorative; just the goddam bloody ticket. Mind – thank heaven – supplies old-fashioned Latin name. Sal Volatile. “Hear me all right can you? We’ve called the Samu. Be here in just a tick.” Service-ambulance-medic ale- urgence,  oh that’s very good indeed. Siren, blue light, winking, professionals.
    “Don’t need stretcher. I can walk.”
    “Keep quiet, don’t talk,” said the voice of authority. “We’ll take a quick look.” They always do. Heart, chest, spine, pelvis.
    “What hit him – a bus?”
    “Only facial,” said Raymond. “Rest’s all right.”
    “Facial’s the word. Lot of pain? Give you a quick shot for that. Chest and limbs are okay. You’ll be fine.”
    “Not as wide as a church door but it’ll serve.”
    “Bit woozy. All right, get him in the wagon and clean him up a bit. Breathe deeply, relax totally, we’re taking you in. Any eyewitnesses?”
    “No,” said Raymond. “Fella mugged me in the alley.”
    “Charming. Okay then, ein-zwei-drei .”Experts slid him into the wagon, smooth as the bearers at the funeral.
    “Your mouth’s fine and so are your teeth,” said the girl’s voice. “So here’s a little oxygen, help pep you up. Next stop Traumatology Centre, you’ll need a few repairs.”

    The duty nurse didn’t even say woo; called the intern.
    “Who hit you then, mate? – King Kong?” He felt too tired to talk. “Not a great deal I can do right here. Make you more comfortable. We’ll have to hold on to you. Radios, see in the morning what the Professor says.” They undressed him, must have gone through his pockets because the boy came back. “Doctor Valdez,” a bit hangdog. “Just a word.” Clearing his throat. “I’m sorry to have seemed abrupt. We’ll want some surgery. Make you as good as new. Don’t worry about a thing. Important now to have a good sleep.” Yes. Nice, the kindly morphia. Dark. Oblivion.
    A grey morning, a quiet room, an angel. She really was; she had ‘Angèle’ on her little plastic nameplate. Comfortable, matter-of-fact and as nurses go she had light kind fingers.
    “Going to prep you because the Professor wants you downstairs as soon as may be. Rinse your mouth shall I? I’m going to shave you. The Police want a word – I’ve told them to eff off. The anaesthetisttoo if you can bear it, but she’s rather a sweetie.” A little smiling dark woman. Extraordinary things they do have on their check list; Raymond’s private life reviewed in nosy detail but a readiness to enjoy jokes. Everybody very polite. Confraternity conveys privileges, Doctor Valdez. He was in a private room, and his angel at beck and call. Going to be the Man in the Iron Mask for a day or two; give him time to think. For instance he didn’t have to look at the Police, who were apologetic but persistent.
    “Not just an ordinary mugging, you see. Vengeance like, they wanted to smash you. We’ve had a word with the Professor; he’s explained the radios. Something quite narrow but heavy metal. Like you know knuckleduster. Professional, like. Break your nose but really putting the boot in, like. You never saw? Total surprise? Knew where to find