Klempner’s voice is regaining its acid edge. “I can make it to the john by myself. I don’t need some teenager in uniform tucking me in.” White-faced, gasping, he flops back into the blankets, lying flat.
The nurse u-turns, pinch-faced, her tone equally acid. “I only just caught you as your legs gave out, Mr Smith. I’ll thank you to be more courteous if you expect to continue receiving treatment here.”
After a moment, Klempner’s breathing slows. His voice calmer, “My apologies, sister. I don’t make a good patient. I’m not used to it.”
She eases a little. “Apology accepted, Mr Smith. For what it’s worth to you, it’s the usually-healthy ones that make bad patients. I’ll leave you with your friends now.”
She nods to me and Michael. “Try to keep him in bed. When he needs it, you’ll find a b
