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Giving more time and care
Giving
Sometimes in life we just need a break. Time to recuperate, time to recharge. Stress of work and stress of life. We all at some point need time alone and put all her thoughts in order, put our life in check.
The last few months have been traumatic and lying here now should have been impossible. Working long hours and defending those I care about. So how did I get here?
Managing staff and helping others fulfil their dreams. Just things went wrong along the way. I’ve never pretended to have all the answers, but when James walked into my office, I soon knew things were about to change.
I have been a counsellor for twenty years, have two children and a crippling divorce. I could bore you with all my problems, but I won’t. Listening to James felt unreal, some of it I wondered if he was reading some fantastic fiction story. Not giving advice is difficult, trying to guide my client to find their own answers. As the weeks went on, I was pulled deeper into James world. An exciting tale of conflict and pain, this man has it all and I was intrigued.
James
As I found my thoughts revolving around him, I knew I should take a step back, but I couldn’t. He either had a very active imagination or lived life on the wild side. If you have ever considered jumping out of a plane or trying the jaw dropping sick making roller coaster at the fun park, James is the man to go with.
Finally, after three months of being client and counsellor he asked me to come and watch him. Finding himself enduring daily stunts to earn a living. He loved the rush of adrenaline but had convinced himself that he was a failure. Why else would he throw himself of a building? Why couldn’t he do something less dangerous?
So, here I was, 22nd May 2022, watching this man who I had growing feelings for jumping of a motorbike and throwing it across the road. Wanting to rescue him, I stayed back, knowing he has done this scene many times before. Was there more then this? James was certainly good at this, but he was not happy. With the filming happening around me I could see the hierarchy.
From our counselling sessions I knew this man was very capable and maybe the strongest person I have ever met. However, there was more at this time that I didn’t know.
Giving back
I have realised that so many of us go through life blinkered. We are so preoccupied with our own lives. With our own challenges and problems. Have you ever heard the expression; charity begins at home? I have, and should it? There are so many that suffer while others are overindulging. So many enjoying their holidays abroad every year, while others are living of the kindness of strangers. Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate just how far we have come and what we have. Society, if you think about it is actually quite messed up.
Listening to others daily anxieties I was surprised when James told me his plan. I had never met true altruism before and here it was. After years risking his life for his craft, he wanted to share what he had. Watching others struggling and falling, he had realised that he needed to give back.
Maybe it was my counselling that led James to this epiphany, but I had never met someone who wanted to make such a difference so selflessly.
If I am honest with myself, I have to admit, James has ignited something in me that I never thought existed. For years I have tried to help others by listening, but that was all I did. James had much bigger ideas. He had money and he had the contacts, and had spent years fighting with himself to find a reason for what he did.
Conclusions
Here I am, August 2024. The children are with me and my ex is way in the past. Sat with my feet up by the beautiful swimming pool, I look at the resort around me. Altruism does exist and wow the feeling of living selflessly makes me feel finally fulfilled. We are lucky to be in this position. We have each other and the help of other likeminded individuals. Lucky to have the money and time to give. Lucky that James was not killed years ago and is now sat writing rather than risking his life.
Just remember just being more considerate of others, treating others as you would like them to treat you. Trying to be more charitable and giving more than taking. Just seeing the joy you can bring to others all helps to make life more rewarding.
Written for Writers Unite! photo prompt
For more see, A dark and traumatic future
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A dark and traumatic future
The dark
Are you scared of the dark? The unexplained shadows and the threat of what might lurk out there. Noises that make your heart beat faster. The uninvited thoughts and secrets that the darkness might protect.
Watching the rain jump off the tarmac, so close to inevitable disaster. I have sat here many nights before, but tonight felt different. The rumbling of the storm and the angry speed of the downpour. Has someone upset the Gods? Or is this just bad weather? What is bad weather? Some people would enjoy this storm.
Telling myself to just close the curtains the room is illuminated again as the night explodes, and then I am plunged into the dark. Leaving the window for the kitchen, I try the light switch, no power which means no light and no calming mug of tea.
Seeking refuge under my warm soft blanket, its late. There is no power and sleep is far away. What is happening out there in the darkness? Imagining cats and wild animals fighting the night raged on.
The morning after
Waking to the sound of a man’s voice, I’m confused as to how ”Tom Bradby’ ‘could be in my house. Opening my eyes I then realise that I had left the television on and there are now pictures of devastation on the screen. While safely lying under my blanket, fearing the explosive rumbles outside in the dark, there had been house fires, floods, fallen trees and road accidents. They were appealing for volunteers to help at the local shelters to support those that need food and a bed.
Picking up my phone I found a string of missed calls. I’m sure it didn’t ring, maybe I was too focused on the storm. Listening to Tom it sounded like a different world out there. My phone now started buzzing again as messages now started to come through. Maybe the mobile networks had gone down with the storm.
A and E
Working in a hospital I have seen many messes. Today was a scene worse than ever before. The messages from the Unit manager to shift myself and get to work had appeared urgent. Unfortunately, I’d only just received them. Walking into the department I could sense the tension immediately. We were surrounded by bodies and families, some crying, some bleeding. In all the years I’ve worked in Accident and Emergency nothing had prepared me for this.
Last night must have been the calm before the dark storm, I had left relaxed, and the unit was running on time. Now there were no happy smiles and no time to explain how I hadn’t received the calls and messages.
Walking into the bay I could hear hushed voices. Hesitating to listen, this was like something from a ‘Stephen King’ novel. A storm of this scale had not been reported in many years, what weather forces had caused it? And how had we not been advised of it? It seemed that even the weather forecasters had not been prepared for it. People had lost loved ones and there was no going back.
Could this have been a supernatural event? The dark storm had been sudden and violent, the shock left in its wake was evident. Glancing around the room the casualties were still arriving. Many of them treatable. Nothing had prepared me for what happened next.
The truth
Would you believe someone who said they are from another lifetime? A parallel crashing with our time line that shouldn’t have happened, a fluke dark accident. I’ve watched many episodes of Doctor Who and I love my books, never thought I might star in one though.
Pulling back the curtains I looked at my patient’s chart, Claudia. Looking at the attractive woman, I saw the large bloody graze on her arm. Glancing at the page again there was a question mark against her NHS number. She was holding her arm close to her body and appeared to want to run. Something was not right here, I could see that she wasn’t comfortable. Introducing myself I asked her if I could call her to Claudia. She hunched herself up and nodded. Asking to look at her arm she pulled herself away from me. Asking her what was wrong I was confused when she asked me to please just sit down.
Another Earth
She now started talking quietly.
“I’m from Earth Two, I’m not some nutcase, you need to listen to me, but that’s why I’m not on your NHS computers. Our earth is more advanced than yours and well the NHS, it no longer exists. People ate getting sick and can’t afford to help themselves to get better. Oh, and I’m also from the year 2040. Our scientists developed a way for me to go back to 2024, back before the Labour government came into power. Unfortunately, things went wrong and as well as going back I’ve crashed sideways.”
I listened then asked,
“Okay how am I meant to believe you? And how do you know you can trust me?”,
“Because before I left Earth Two we discussed what could go wrong. Crossing between the worlds was a possibility, the massive devastation was not planned”.
Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a photo and handed it to me.
A quest
“Okay now I’m confused, how have you got my photo? And how did you know I’m here?”
“Earth Two is a parallel universe. We meet in 2025 and soon after get married. This is the identical you. After the collapse of the NHS you give up nursing in 2030. He told me to find you and you will help”.
“Then why did he not come himself?”
“Because I’m the scientist and you are an A and E nurse. I had to travel back”.
I stood pondering, what can I do? and then I realised what my other me knew. The amount of books I have read and the one person I know who would love to help solve this problem. Somehow, we had to stop the destruction of the NHS. If we stopped it on Earth One it should also be stopped on Earth Two.
“If we can fix this, how do you get home?”
“I have a chip inside my arm, they will pull me back when I’m ready”.
A friend
Budding politician, and election hopeful Stephen Grace stood in his office. As I walked in with Claudia he looked up.
“Nicky what the heck is going on? It sounded urgent on the phone.”
“We have a situation, we need to get into the government manifestos that the NHS stays. Its currently dramatically underfunded, we need to do something now. I can’t tell you everything, but please believe me that if things stay as they are, it will cease to exist and by the year 2040 there will be many unnecessary deaths. The UK can’t afford privatisation, this needs sorting now. Don’t ask how I know this, you have read enough ‘Stephen King’ novels to work it out for yourself”.
Solution
Two weeks later, Claudia suddenly just left without saying goodbye. The news broadcast then announced that billions was being put into the NHS budget to ensure it would continue for years to come and there would now be a recruitment drive for care staff, GPs and dentists. I wondered about the talk of wage increases. Not sure how Stephen had done this, but I was grateful.
The destruction in the dark, caused by storm Claudia was now being fixed, Families were healing and homes were being repaired.
A and E
Six months later, I met a lady I recognised. Uni student, Claudia Street had an accident painting her hallway, and here she was in A and E. How do you talk to your future wife when they have never seen you before? Trying to act normal we talked about her injury, we had a relaxed conversation. As she left, she advised me that she is often at the local pub on the corner near the hospital. I knew this was an invitation to more.
I wondered that day what might happen in our 2040. The other Claudia must have been called back because Earth Two was fixed. It sounded like an exciting future, but I didn’t want her crashing between worlds again. Also, if there is an Earth Two, is there an Earth Three and Four? Maybe one day I will find out, but today I will just focus on the present and nursing,
Written for Writers Unite! write the story photo prompt
For more see, Creamy pudding, love and friendship – also written for Writers Unite! photo prompt
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Creamy pudding, love and friendship
Pudding
Do you prefer a pudding or a starter? Avoiding a starter to keep room for pudding, or forcing down that dessert and risk seeing it again later in the most disgusting way. Sweet tasty goodness or a healthy prawn cocktail. What is the etiquette in this situation? I’m not sure, but I’m guilty of forcing down all three settings, pudding is always my favourite.
Sitting here scraping the rich creamy cake of my plate I resist the urge to stick my tongue out and lick it. Too many people watching, too much judgement.
Dinner with a friend, this is what tonight should be. Things are not always what they seem. Watching Lou scrape her bowl clean of custard, life was about to change. I now know that leaving things unsaid is the worst plan. If you have something important to say, you must say it. Unless its going to hurt them, weigh up your options carefully.
Sharing
Telling Lou about Frank should have been easy, so why was I eating and not sharing. Friendship should be a good thing. There shouldn’t be painful questions. I should be able to just tell her but how?
I have known Frank longer than Louise. We met at Birchwood Secondary, he was popular, always with the same group of tough kids. Tall, wavy brown hair, and a handsome smile. Many girls fancied him, but I never trusted him. He had a calm swagger that set him apart. Some would say that he had the ‘gift of the gab”. Me, I didn’t like his cool cockiness.
Working for a local newspaper, I now often had my nose in other people’s business. Incidents of burglary in the area have increased dramatically and the police seem to be doing very little about it. Interviewing the old lady, a known gossip working in the sweet shop, and often referred to as ‘Miss Marple’ she had named two of her suspects. I know these two and they were friends with Frank at school. Alarm bells are ringing in my head.
Questions
Lou and Frank have been together for nearly two years and in that time, he has gone from one dead end job to another. Now he is working in a furniture warehouse but has somehow just proposed to her with a shiny diamond ring. I’m not a jeweller but I know this is not a cubic zirconia. How did he afford it? He couldn’t, unless he had savings but Frank has never struck me as the sort of man to plan ahead.
Looking at my friend I can see she is happy. Talking about her wedding and future plans, how could I spoil this with suspicions? Maybe I should talk to the police first. Thinking all this over, Lou suggests more pudding and then asks me an unexpected question.
“How much would you earn selling furniture?”
I thought for a moment, “It’s retail, maybe about £1000 a month after tax and national insurance.”
“So expensive jewellery and a new car, doesn’t seem right does it?”
“Does Frank save money Lou?
“Don’t think so, do you remember Joe? I think you were at school with him.”
“Yes, I know him, bit of a thug at school.”
“Jess, he still is. I think I’ve got a problem. I want to marry Frank but things are not adding up, he is also so often making excuses to not be at home”
Taking Lou’s hand, I now tell her my thoughts, maybe pudding would make this conversation easier.
Frank
In and out of work for years, but always active in the gym, Frank now had it made, if it wasn’t for the bunch of thugs he called his mates life would be easier. Lying to them and lying to Lou to protect her, he had no choice. Joe had always been the ring leader of their gang and he had turned it from playful boy trouble to crime. Hiding his true interests to his mates had been hard and he hadn’t told Lou as he didn’t want her hurt.
Volunteering for months and now a recent recruit to the police force, Frank had been put undercover in a furniture warehouse. Employed to watch Joe and monitor the tricky goings on of the warehouse manager. Supply and demand but the figures were not adding up. Far too much money was changing hands and things were not as they seemed. Introduced by Joe, Frank knew he needed to investigate further.
The salary had been welcomed and he had soon purchased a ring for the love of his life. His next thoughts were a car, but they needed to pay for their wedding.
Louise
Watching Louise, I could see she didn’t want to believe me.
“Jess I can agree that Joe might be a true thug, but not Frank. Something is going on but it can’t be this. That lady didn’t say Frank did she? You could be putting two and two together and making five. Frank is taking care of himself, exercising, but I know there is more to this.”
“Well how do we find out?”
“You’re the journalist, think, and don’t just go on what ‘Miss Marple’ says.
Pudding and talk
A week later we are sat in another cafe. More creamy delicious pudding, and life has moved on. Louise has made Frank talk to her after giving him an ultimatum. She needed the truth. After finding out he was working for the police and not selling furniture she felt relieved. Frank hasn’t told her more, just that he has already said enough and needed to keep her safe.
I am happy for Lou but still wondering about Joe and Frank and the rest of the story. Wanting my friend to be happy and hoping that Frank really has finally sorted himself out. A career as a police officer suits him well, but i’m sure he will not be discussing this anytime soon with his thuggish friends.
Written for Write the story on Writers Unite!
For more see – The Lord of Hillcroft Manor
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