The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2236 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

I explained what happened at the hospital and Simon looked shocked. “Jeezuz–she had a heart attack–but she’s twenty three.”

“I knew a little girl who died with one at thirteen, just got out of the water at a swimming gala. Dropped dead on the poolside.”

“Oh shit, that’s not gonna happen with Sammi–I mean not with the blue light an’ all?”

“I hope not, it came from a clot in the leg.”

“But she had those stocking things on plus injections in her tummy–how did that happen?”

“These things do, perhaps she bumped her leg.”

“Oh,” he said looked awful and went very quiet.

“You know something?” I demanded.

“The car door hit her on the leg–it blew out of my hand–couldn’t stop it. Bloody hell, Cathy, did I nearly kill my daughter?” He had tears in his eyes and I don’t think I’ve seen him looking so distressed.

“It was an accident, and who says that’s what happened. Which leg was it?”

“I dunno–um–left one–I think. Coulda been the right–oh bugger, I can’t remember.”

“She’s going to be alright.”

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be. Now how about we have a cuppa and wind down a little before bed?”

“Yeah, okay. I’d prefer a brandy if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind but I’ll stick with the camellia.”

“What?” he looked bemused–well more than usual.

“Tea–it comes from a camellia bush– Camellia sinensis or something like that.”

“Right,” he said gave me a funny look which probably meant, ‘clever dick’ or equivalent. I’m not clever, just remember strange facts. Makes me useful in pub quizzes and Trivial Pursuit but otherwise useless. I suppose we all have our failings.

He reappeared with a large glass of brandy for himself and my mug of tea. I thanked him. “Does this mean she could have another one?”

“What, Sammi?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not impossible...”

“Oh shit,” he interrupted.

“But not in the near future–I sorted the damage which occurred in her heart.”

“Damage?”

“Yes damage. It happens in minutes if there’s a blockage in one of the coronary arteries.”

“Yeah, I suppose it would. Is my heart still damaged–from the one I had?”

“No, I fixed that.”

“Thank you,” he looked relieved.

“No problem, before you asked, I’ve also sorted those of other family members who’ve shared your experience.”

“Like Tom, you mean?

“And Henry.”

“I’d forgotten about that.” He looked anxious again.

I sipped my tea which was a little hotter than I usually drink it–I’m a wimp, remember–and rinsed out the mug.

“How’s Danielle?”

“Fine, thinks she’ll be playing football for the convent after Christmas.”

“I suppose she will–she’s pretty good.”

“Not for a few months.”

“Why not, if she starts there in January?”

“She’s just had major surgery–okay, it wasn’t a heart transplant but she needed three units of blood–that’s more than Lance Armstrong used before the TdF.”

“What? Oh yeah, I forget cyclists do that; an’ I suppose it was pretty major.”

“She could have died, Si.”

“What’s happening with her friend, the wannabe surgeon?”

“I don’t know, the police haven’t said anything for a while.”

“D’you want her prosecuted?”

“No, she’s mad not bad, she needs help.”

“Your blue stuff couldn’t help her then?”

“I don’t think so, I’d be more inclined to strangle her than heal her.”

“I thought you said she needed help?”

“That doesn’t stop me wanting to strangle her. Did you realise she did exactly the amount of damage required to prevent the medics trying to save Danni’s willie, making sure they did a vaginoplasty instead.”

“Pretty clever stuff.”

“In a sociopathic way. Who was she to decide Danni should become female when the experts weren’t entirely sure what to do with her. It was an act of extreme arrogance and possibly cruelty.”

“What d’you mean?”

“I mean, what if Danielle decides she wants to become Dan again? We don’t know for sure that she won’t.”

“Not like Trish or Julie, then?”

“No she isn’t, and I’m still worried about it. A boy with tits and no dick is not going to find life easy.”

“No, he won’t will he? Hang about, David managed, so it could be sorted–if it arises, I mean.”

“I’m aware of that, Si, but it isn’t a good solution. I just hope Danielle is the real child and she goes from strength to strength. I’m going to bed, I’ve had enough of today.”

“When will they be coming home?”

“A few more days–night.” I left him sipping his brandy and crawled up the stairs. Five or ten minutes later I was asleep in bed, I really was shattered. There was no hanky-panky tonight, I didn’t even hear Simon come to bed and he was gone in the morning. How he copes with such little sleep, I have no idea, but I didn’t even hear him get up.

The three banshees arrived and pestered me in bed with cold feet and hands until I gave in got up. I’d ordered stuff for them from the internet, I hoped it came in time. This year I told them there were not going to be any big presents, they’d have clothing, books and pens, that sort of stuff. They took it quite calmly, or so it appeared. I also told them I’d made a donation to Save the Children on their behalf.

Livvie asked if I’d donated Danni. For once she was quicker off the mark than Trish. It was tempting, but I told her I’d kept Danielle once her plumbing healed. They’d missed all the drama of Sammi’s illness so I had to tell them in graphic detail. Meems looked very worried. When I asked her what the problem was, she told me she’d bumped her leg last night. I gave it a rub and said she was fine and she seemed to cheer up.

The doorbell rang and I accepted the parcel which was addressed to me anyway. I wondered which one it was and took it to my wardrobe, placed it inside and locked the door taking the key with me. If they want to see what it is, they’ll have to pick the lock or force it–either way I’ll know and then there’ll be trouble, and they know it.

During the day two more packages arrived and duly followed the first. They were all having new coats, wool with imitation fur collars. Trish had a red one, Livvie a blue one, Meems a green one and Danni a beige coloured one. I nearly bought myself a black one but thought I’d have a look in the post Christmas sales if I had time, if not I’d have to do without. I’d also got them new boots and handbags–they were all different based on my understanding of each of them–be interesting to see if I know them as well as I think or if I’m completely wrong. I feel a bit nervous about it all now.

With two recovering from surgery and the weather which is forecast as bad to awful, it looks like Christmas this year is going to prove challenging.