Stray Bullet (17 page)

Harvey Walters sat next to his bed. Jenny, Chloe and Rob were due to arrive any moment to take him home. His mother would not be with them, instead choosing to wait for her family at their home.

She would organise a welcome home spread and spent most of that sunny morning erecting bunting outside the house much to the curiosity of the neighbours on their small estate.

Some of Harvey
’s more friendly neighbours had been invited to come around for a drink and to welcome the hero home. Greg Bickley would be there along with other colleagues from his workplace.

Harvey was unaware that he would later that year receive a promotion for the perceived heroism in saving the Bishop’s life. Only he and one other really knew what had happened on that fateful day and for Harvey, while he would in time make a full recovery thanks to the keen and watchful eyes of Nurse Stevens and Doctor Stone, the episode was still somewhat of a blur.

The recovery process in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital had lasted several weeks before doctors would allow him to leave the hospital. Even during this relatively brief period, Harvey had shown signs of ageing quite substantially, his body expressing its disgust at being put through such an ordeal. His hair showed signs of greying and while he had regained his humorous outward personality, his eyes would portray deep inner pain.

That morning the hospital staff had gathered the numerous cards that had flooded into the hospital during the days after Harvey had been shot. Well-wishers from all over had taken time out to purchase gifts and send them on with their prayers for his speedy recovery. All those that left contact addresses would in time receive notes of thanks from Harvey as he continued to convalesce at home with his family.

The noise of excited children could be heard and Harvey’s gaze was broken, a smile quickly transformed him from deep thoughts back into the real world.

Chloe and Rob appeared and ran the final few metres as he held open his arms to embrace them. Despite the fruitless calls of Jenny for them to be careful with their fragile father, they launched at him to hold him tight after what had been the second long, and this time unplanned, separation from their father.

Jenny stood by smiling and watching until the children finally allowed Harvey a moment to embrace his wife. In turn she would embrace Harvey, more gently yet with equal passion, before they took stock to gather his belongings and medication and make their way out of the ward.

Harvey had already spoken to Nurse Stevens and Dr Stone that morning, during which time he had expressed his warmest thanks and gratitude for their help during his recovery. He was not expecting any further goodbyes.

As they were exiting the ward a voice called from behind them. 

“Mr Walters, Mr Walters, one moment please.” It was an auxiliary nurse who was waiving an envelope in her hand. Harvey faced the nurse and she continued, “I'm sorry, Mr Walters, but you wouldn’t want to leave without this,” she exclaimed holding out the envelope and looking across to smile at Jenny.

“More forms?” Harvey enquired paying little attention but still managing a smile.

“No,” replied the nurse. “It's a telegram, it arrived this morning for you but the sender only put the main hospital address, so we’ve been searching all over for you.”  She looked somewhat out of breath but proud to have at last found the rightful owner of the envelope.

“Thank you,” replied Harvey and gave her his customary smile before turning to Jenny and continuing down the corridor.

“Well, aren’t you going to open it?” Jenny asked. “After all they’ve been looking all over the hospital for you,” she giggled.

Harvey looked at the postmark. His eyebrows raised as he noted this was from overseas. He tore at the envelope. The contents read as follows:

Harvey,

I apologise for missing you at our recent meeting. Let me assure you that I won’t miss you again given another opportunity.

Your brother,

        
Jack Shaw.

“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?” Jenny said looking over his shoulder with a beaming smile. “He does want to meet with you after all.”

Harvey stopped. He looked visibly startled and whispered quietly,

“Perhaps…” His eyes hovered over the innuendo within the text and he felt a chill run down his spine.

“Are you okay, Harvey?” asked Jenny.

He stuffed the letter in his trouser pocket deciding to re-examine it later. Looking back to Jenny he buried his thoughts and regained his composure before replying,

“Of course. Come on, let’s go home.”

THE END.