The Portal by Andrew Norriss Read Free Book Online

kitchen?’
    Amy turned and trotted off downstairs without a word.
    â€˜Do you know what’s wrong?’ asked William.
    â€˜At a guess I’d say it was blood poisoning,’ said the General, ‘but fortunately we don’t have to rely on my guesses.’ He opened the lid of the box and studied the contents for a moment. ‘Have you ever used one of these?’
    â€˜No,’ said William.
    â€˜Well, it’s fairly simple. All you have to do is stick a couple of these on to the patient…’ He took a flexible disc, about the size of a large coin, from a sterile pack and placed it carefully on Daniel’s neck. Then he unpeeled another and lifted up Daniel’s T-shirt to put it on his chest. ‘…And wait for the machine to give youa diagnosis. Has he cut himself recently, do you know?’
    â€˜He cut his hand,’ said William, ‘this morning.’ He was about to ask how long it would take to get a diagnosis, when the box started talking.
    â€˜Diagnosis: septicaemia,’ it said in a low, calm voice, very like Emma’s. ‘Treatment: apply patch to any free surface of skin immediately.’ At the same time, there was a faint whirring noise and another sterile pack appeared in the top of the box with a blue circle flashing above it. General Ghool picked it up, peeled off the outer covering and slapped the disc on to Daniel’s arm.
    â€˜There we go. That should sort him out!’
    William noticed the difference almost immediately. His brother’s breathing began to slow, the muscles in his neck relaxed and he looked calmer. A minute or so later, he was breathing normally, the colour had returned to his face and soon after that he was sleeping peacefully.
    â€˜No further treatment required,’ said the box, ‘but the patient is recommended to rest for eight hours.’
    â€˜You should get Larry to show you how to use these things one day. They can save a lot of worrying.’ General Ghool closed the lid of the box. ‘Ah, here she is! Thank you, my dear.’
    Amy had come back with a bowl of sugar, andthe General took three spoonfuls and stirred them carefully into his tea. He lifted the cup to his lips and took a grateful sip. ‘Oh, yes! Perfect!’
    Amy was studying Daniel. ‘Is he all right then?’
    â€˜He’s fine,’ said William. ‘You can go back to sleep now.’
    As Amy tucked herself back into the bottom bunk, he could feel the relief flooding through his body. It was only now the panic was over that he realized how frightened he had been.
    â€˜Thank you,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t –’
    â€˜Please!’ The General held up a hand. ‘Happy to help.’ He picked up the medipac. ‘Right. Back to base, I think!’
    Downstairs, walking along the hall to the office, the General paused. ‘I wonder,’ he said, ‘would it be possible to go outside for a moment?’
    â€˜Outside?’ said William.
    â€˜Yes. I know it’s not allowed, officially, but sometimes your father was kind enough to…’
    William did not hesitate. If the General had wanted to take the family car and go nightclubbing William would have cheerfully handed over the keys after what he had done for Daniel.
    â€˜Of course,’ he said.
    He led General Ghool through to the sitting room, opened the doors to the patio and theGeneral stepped outside, took in a deep breath and stared out across the valley.
    It was the middle of the night but it was not dark. There was a full moon and light flooded the sky. Its silvery colour gave varying shades of black and white to the fields that stretched down to the river and up the other side where it met the line of trees that ran along the ridge. The General seemed mesmerized by the view. Eventually, he turned to William with a sigh.
    â€˜You know, I must have been here…