The Shack series

Chapter 77

I'll do it, can you support her Dad?"

"Sure, Perdy, lean against me and back slightly, good girl okay."

Lizzy pulled the front Perdy's nightdress up and away from her, bunching it around her waist. Perdy reached down and held it against herself.

"Lester,I'm so sorry," Perdy said through gritted teeth.

"don't you worry about it gorgeous, " Lester said,

"I love you Lester." Perdy said, a grin appearing momentarily.

Lizzy grinned and pulling some toilet paper off the roll, carefully wiped Perdy clean. Startled she looked at the crumpled paper and said softly,

"Lester, the papers covered in blood,"

Lester nodded and carefully said,

"Get a towel and wad it up under her, hold it in place."

Lizzy went and washed her hands thoroughly, then came back and supported Perdy on the opposite side to Lester. Carefully she passed the wadded up towel between Perdy's thighs and held it there.

Lester took up Perdy's weight and together they lifted her up. Lester then dipped and effortlessly swept Perdy into his arms, ensuring the towel stayed in place. Walking slowly he laid her on the bed, as Lizzy hopped on beside her. Perdy was soaked in sweat and shivering.

"I'll go wait for the ambulance, give you two some space, first I'll flush the toilet."

Lester flushed the toilet then squirted half a bottle of bleach around the inside of the bowl. He washed his hands thoroughly and switched the fan on. Closing the door he went back to the bed. Lizzy was crouched over Perdy, clearing strands of damp hair from Perdy's face.

"You're going to be okay, Dad's going to sort it, you're safe. Lester will make it alright, you see"

Lester hung his head and left the room. His daughter was relying on him now, totally. He heard Charlotte come into the hallway as he made it downstairs, she saw the grim look on his face and grabbed him with both hands. His arms surrounded her and they held tightly to each other. The siren sound of the ambulance preceded it up the driveway. Mrs J spotting it turning in and opening the security gates.

"Parker, the Ambulance comes, I open gates."

"Thanks Mrs J, how's Em?"

"Sleeping like a little Angel."

"Lucky little girl, right let's get the door open."

The paramedics came in and went up to Perdy. Lester and Charlotte stood at the bottom of the stairs holding each other. One of the paramedics came down and went to get the stretcher. Coming back he nodded at Lester,

"We're taking her in, the young lady with her, what's her relationship?"

"They're civil partners why?"

"OK it's just she wants to come with her and it's usually only family members."

"Well that's her wife and if she were mine I'd want to go too."

"Okay she's going with us then, that's good she'll be able to help with all the details."

"Thanks, what's wrong with Perdy?"

"We think she may have an abscess or ulcer which has burst, it's not looking like food poisoning to me." He sprinted up the stairs.

Lester swore and gripped Charlotte tightly. Next thing the ambulance crew were bringing Perdy gently down with Lizzy holding her with one hand and holding a drip above her head with the other, tears in her eyes. Lester nodded at Lizzy and promised to follow with Charlotte. He called Mrs J and explained, she said she would take care of the children. She would feed Em and then later take her in the buggy to pick up Kyle. Lester hurried after Charlotte who had the car out of the garage.

Charlotte drove unhurriedly but speedily to the hospital. Lester told her to go in and he would park the car. She kissed his cheek then fled towards the entrance. Lester was lucky and found a space within ten minutes. He then made his way to A & E to find Charlotte and Lizzy. Rounding the corner he found them wrapped together. Hurrying to them he rubbed their backs.

"Perdy stopped breathing on the way in, they've revived her and she's being sent straight to surgery. They're going to operate immediately, they think she has an ulcer that's burst, she's lost a lot of blood and that caused her heart to stop. It's pretty serious."

Lizzy stopped talking and looked at her parents.

"I can't be without her, I can't live without her, what can I do?"

Lester held his daughter and looked her in the eyes.

"What you can do is be strong for Perdy and Kyle and little Em, you have to be the rock for them. Your mother and I will be here for you, but you must be strong for them."

He grabbed her and held her tight, feeling her body shake as the tears rolled down. Charlotte hugged Lizzy from behind and they stood waiting for whatever would happen. They were told to go up to the Intensive Care Unit about three hours later. Through the glass wall they could see Perdy hooked up to all manner of machines, her face pale and her hair matted on her forehead. Lizzy gasped, but Lester wrapped an arm round her, whispering "be strong Lizzy", to her. She put an arm round his back and Charlotte's too, together they stood and watched. A nurse came out and took them to a side room, minutes later the surgeon came in, he smiled and held Lizzy's hands.

"Your wife has had a narrow escape, she has had a mild case of food poisoning, but that masked a more serious problem. Ms Parker, your wife has had an undiagnosed ulcer in her large intestine. Thankfully we have cleaned it out and repaired the gut wall. She's going to get better, but it will take time. She's one very lucky lady, she lost a lot of blood when the ulcer burst, but we've pumped her full of fresh blood, and she'll be awake and be fully conscious later."

Lizzy sank forward on her knees and cried loudly. Neither Lester or Charlotte could stop her. The surgeon stood and Charlotte and Lester thanked him and shook his hand. They sat either side of Lizzy and just put a hand on her shoulders. Lizzy gasped and sniffed, sitting up she took one of each her parents hand in hers. They sat quietly until the nurse reappeared and said that Perdy was awake. Following her they went into the ICU room and stood around Perdy's bed.

"Hi You," said Lizzy holding Perdy's hand

"Hi, sorry for all the fuss, I think I might not be as well as I think I am."

"Hey kid, you scared us, but you'll be okay now."

"Hi Lester, Charlotte, thanks for this, phew I could go a glass of bubbly, don't suppose you brought a bottle."

Lizzy giggled and smiled. Lester leaned over and kissed Perdy's cheek.

"No I'll pop back home and bring one in for you later gorgeous."

"Thanks Lester, you're a real pal."

Perdy's eyes closed and she looked peaceful but pale.

Charlotte and Lester excused themselves and left Lizzy holding Perdy's hand, outside they checked in with Mrs J, who had picked up Kyle and was now feeding him and Em. She had phoned home and her cousin was looking after her children and her husband so she could stay as long as needed. Lester and Charlotte returned to ICU, sitting with Lizzy at Perdy's bedside. They worked out a rota, so that they could be on hand and let Lizzy get back to see Kyle and Em. This system carried on for five weeks until Perdy was released for convalescence and bed rest.

Kyle and Em had been told that Mummy was in hospital and had been to see her. Satisfied she was OK they had settled down and returned to their own routines. Lester happily took Kyle to school and provided the school and friends with an update. Charlotte looked after Em, allowing Lizzy to visit Perdy daily. Now Perdy was home for bed-rest and recovery. A Nurse was arranged by Lester to help Perdy and to check on her wound and the dressing. Slowly she recovered until she was able to move gently round. The children sort of understood that they had to be gentle with Mummy, but Kyle often just bounced from Lizzy to Perdy. Leaving the adults gasping.

Perdy began an exercise regime and gradually recovered her muscle tone, swimming, walking, Pilates all helped her to return to health. Mrs J arranged fruit and vegetable snacks for her around the house, and she began to eat normally too. Lester waited until she was almost fully recovered before announcing his intention to fly the family back to the Caribbean again to complete Perdy's recovery. This time Mrs J and her husband and children would be going too, as well as her cousin as a thank you for all the additional help they had given.

So in August the entourage boarded a private jet and set off for the island for four weeks. At first Josip was a little overawed but he gradually opened up and relaxed on the flight. The five children and Kyle found an array of films to watch and barely noticed the length of the flight. Finally they arrived and a small coach took them to the beach where a boat waited to ferry them to the island. They arrived exhausted and all quickly settled down to sleep.

The following morning they enjoyed a tropical breakfast and soon the children were itching to get to the beach. Lester took Josip and Mrs J to one side and explained that as a rule they didn't bother with clothes too much, was that okay with them. They said it was okay with them, but they would need to ensure that everyone had sun creme on so nothing got burnt. Lester laughed and said he'd ordered a plentiful supply. When the children hit the beach the noise was deafening, and soon, sandcastles, and water courses appeared over the beach.

Lester finally learned that Mrs J's first name was Ola and he saw her and Josip walking arm in arm n***d towards him. Lester raised his glass of orange juice in salute. They nodded and joined him on the decking.

"Parker this is all very nice, you got good deal I hope."

"The best Ola, is it okay to call you by your first name?"

"Sure, we nude, so no formality, okay."

"OK,"

"Thank you for this holiday Lester, we don't get chance to do this before."

"Josip after all Ola has done for me, this is the least I can do, please enjoy yourselves and if there's anything you need just ask."

"I find beer in fridge?"

"Sure help yourself, enjoy."

"Thank you."

Lester wandered down to the beach, looking at the heaps of sand and gulleys the children had created, saw them running to the sea, filling buckets and waving spades. He grinned. it was idyllic. He felt a presence behind him and turned. Perdy stood there grinning.

"I came to say thank you again Lester, you probably saved my life back then."

"Perdy, you were saved by world class surgeons at the local hospital, nothing to do with me. Anyhow gorgeous, how're feeling today?"

"Tired, drained but happy."

"Good, want a drink?"

"No, but I'd like a cuddle Lester,"

"With pleasure," Lester grinned and took Perdy in his arms.

The stood for an age just holding each other, until a shadow appeared behind them.

"Could you please put my wife down Daddy, I'm getting a little jealous."

Lizzy stood with her hands on her hips and a broad grin on her face.

"Who of me or Perdy?"

"Both of you, if I'm honest. What a glorious day." she said abstractly.

Lester and Perdy continued to hold each other round the waist, but they dragged Lizzy into a huddle with them. Ola and Josip walked back up the beach. Ola's large breasts were swaying gently and her rounded tummy wobbled as she walked. Josip's tall wiry body a complete opposite to his cuddly wife. They walked up to the others and stood by their side watching the children play.