Read Online The year of the virgins by 1906-1998 Catherine Cookson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: 1906-1998 Catherine Cookson
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can't see. Do you hear me?'
This was the second time within a week that he had threatened to slap her face, and as she glared back into his eyes, so deep was her hatred of him he could almost smell it and he straightened up and gasped as if he had just been throttled, then turned to where Joe and Harvey were standing side by side as if they had been ready to intervene and prevent him from doing her an injury.
After a moment they all sat down again and Flo, looking from one to the other, said quietly, 'Here, drink your tea. It's getting cold.' And like obedient children, the men took up their cups and drank from them.
Ten minutes or so later, the door opened and two men entered the room and introduced themselves as Mr Richardson, the surgeon and Doctor Walters. Both men looked exhausted, particularly the surgeon, a man with a natural tan which, at that moment, looked as if it had faded.
Winifred sprang from her seat and ran towards them, and he patted her arm, saying, Tt's all right. It's all right.'
'How is he? My son, how is he?'
'Sit down. Sit down.'
She shook her head impatiently and remained standing, and Mr Richardson looked from her to the other woman and the three men and, his eyes resting on Daniel, he said quietly, Tt's been rather a long job.'
'Will . . . will he be all right?'
T have to say that remains to be seen; he's badly injured.'
'Will he live?' It was a demand from Winifred.
And now looking her straight in the face, he said, 'That too remains to be seen, Mrs Coulson.' His voice was terse now. 'One thing I must make clear' - he was again looking at Daniel - 'he has lost the use of his legs. The spine is injured in the lumbar region. But that might not have been so serious except that one lung was crushed and his
liver damaged. The latter, I'm afraid, could have serious consequences. However, it is very early days yet. Now, I would advise you all to go home and rest. There'll be time enough later on to . . .'
'I'm not going home. I must see him. I will sit with him.'
'I'm afraid you won't, not tonight, Mrs Coulson.' The surgeon's tone was definite. 'This is a very crucial time. Come back in the morning and we'll take it from there. But at the moment it's imperative that he is not disturbed in any way.'
It appeared as if Winifred's body was about to expand to bursting point: her breasts heaved and her cheeks swelled as if she was holding her breath.
It was Flo's voice that seemed to prick the balloon, as she asked, 'How is Annette ... his wife?'
It was Doctor Walters who answered Flo. 'Oh, she's been very, very lucky,' he said; 'a broken arm, bruised ribs and slight concussion. It's amazing how she escaped so lightly. She'll be all right. Of course she too needs rest and quiet. So, as Mr Richardson has said, it would be wise if you all went home and got a little rest yourselves. As for us,' he inclined his head towards his colleague, 'we'll be glad to get to bed too. I'm sure you understand that.'
'Yes, yes of course.' It was Joe speaking. 'We'll. . . we'll do as you suggest, Doctor. And . . . and thank you very much.'
'Oh, yes, yes.' It was as if Joe's words had reminded Daniel of the courtesy expected of him, and his voice was hesitant as he went on. 'I . . . we're all a little dazed. It ... it was so sudden. The wedding. They had just left the house. It seems impossible.'
Mr Richardson nodded before coming out with the platitude: 'These things happen. We don't know why. But
there's always hope. I'll say good-night now.' He inclined his head to Daniel, then went out, followed by Doctor Walters.
With the exception of Winifred, they all made ready to go; she remained standing, stiffly staring straight ahead. After glancing at her, Daniel walked past her and out of the room. Flo too glanced at her; she even paused in front of her before walking on.
It was Joe who stopped and said quietly, 'Come on, Mother; I'll drive you back first thing in the morning.' For a moment it looked as if she
This was the second time within a week that he had threatened to slap her face, and as she glared back into his eyes, so deep was her hatred of him he could almost smell it and he straightened up and gasped as if he had just been throttled, then turned to where Joe and Harvey were standing side by side as if they had been ready to intervene and prevent him from doing her an injury.
After a moment they all sat down again and Flo, looking from one to the other, said quietly, 'Here, drink your tea. It's getting cold.' And like obedient children, the men took up their cups and drank from them.
Ten minutes or so later, the door opened and two men entered the room and introduced themselves as Mr Richardson, the surgeon and Doctor Walters. Both men looked exhausted, particularly the surgeon, a man with a natural tan which, at that moment, looked as if it had faded.
Winifred sprang from her seat and ran towards them, and he patted her arm, saying, Tt's all right. It's all right.'
'How is he? My son, how is he?'
'Sit down. Sit down.'
She shook her head impatiently and remained standing, and Mr Richardson looked from her to the other woman and the three men and, his eyes resting on Daniel, he said quietly, Tt's been rather a long job.'
'Will . . . will he be all right?'
T have to say that remains to be seen; he's badly injured.'
'Will he live?' It was a demand from Winifred.
And now looking her straight in the face, he said, 'That too remains to be seen, Mrs Coulson.' His voice was terse now. 'One thing I must make clear' - he was again looking at Daniel - 'he has lost the use of his legs. The spine is injured in the lumbar region. But that might not have been so serious except that one lung was crushed and his
liver damaged. The latter, I'm afraid, could have serious consequences. However, it is very early days yet. Now, I would advise you all to go home and rest. There'll be time enough later on to . . .'
'I'm not going home. I must see him. I will sit with him.'
'I'm afraid you won't, not tonight, Mrs Coulson.' The surgeon's tone was definite. 'This is a very crucial time. Come back in the morning and we'll take it from there. But at the moment it's imperative that he is not disturbed in any way.'
It appeared as if Winifred's body was about to expand to bursting point: her breasts heaved and her cheeks swelled as if she was holding her breath.
It was Flo's voice that seemed to prick the balloon, as she asked, 'How is Annette ... his wife?'
It was Doctor Walters who answered Flo. 'Oh, she's been very, very lucky,' he said; 'a broken arm, bruised ribs and slight concussion. It's amazing how she escaped so lightly. She'll be all right. Of course she too needs rest and quiet. So, as Mr Richardson has said, it would be wise if you all went home and got a little rest yourselves. As for us,' he inclined his head towards his colleague, 'we'll be glad to get to bed too. I'm sure you understand that.'
'Yes, yes of course.' It was Joe speaking. 'We'll. . . we'll do as you suggest, Doctor. And . . . and thank you very much.'
'Oh, yes, yes.' It was as if Joe's words had reminded Daniel of the courtesy expected of him, and his voice was hesitant as he went on. 'I . . . we're all a little dazed. It ... it was so sudden. The wedding. They had just left the house. It seems impossible.'
Mr Richardson nodded before coming out with the platitude: 'These things happen. We don't know why. But
there's always hope. I'll say good-night now.' He inclined his head to Daniel, then went out, followed by Doctor Walters.
With the exception of Winifred, they all made ready to go; she remained standing, stiffly staring straight ahead. After glancing at her, Daniel walked past her and out of the room. Flo too glanced at her; she even paused in front of her before walking on.
It was Joe who stopped and said quietly, 'Come on, Mother; I'll drive you back first thing in the morning.' For a moment it looked as if she
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