Changing Hands Part 3

I could feel the searing heat of the white hot coals in the forge stinging my eyes as I pulled a glowing bar of steel from the fire with a pair of Madelaine’s Puiforcat Elyseé sugar tongs. The heat from the steel started to melt the sterling silver. The tips drooped and lost grip. The bar hit the flagstone floor with a dull thud inside an enormous shower of sparks.

My grandfather appeared at my side wearing a cloth cap and dressed in an Armani suit. He slapped both my cheeks. Grabbing my wrists in his banana like fists, he thrust my hands into my face. His bearded mouth filled my view entirely as he yelled, ‘You have a lot to prove before you can call yourself a man, my lad.’

His face melted and I found myself looking into the eyes of Beverly. ‘Good morning Mr. Hereford. Sorry to wake you, but it’s time for your medication.’

‘Eleven-hundred pounds for a pair of sugar tongs? That’s bloody nonsense, Madelaine.’

‘Mr Hereford. It’s Beverly, your nurse. Are you feeling okay?’

I wasn’t, but not because I felt ill. At that moment I didn’t know where I was, who I was speaking to or even if I was awake. I closed my eyes and rolled onto my left side. Grandfather was back, hands on hips staring down at me like I was a small child. He was speaking, but I couldn’t hear the words.

‘Mr Hereford, wake up please.’

Opening my eyes, it took me a second or two to realise I was looking at Beverly’s apron as she bent over me. I looked up and I think I smiled at her, but the image of Grandfather stayed in my consciousness. It took a further four or five seconds before I could put any words together.

‘Oh shi— um, good morning . . . erm, Bev.’ I think I was slurring, ‘Phew . . . I was dreaming, sorry.’

‘Well, if that is all it was,’ She looked doubtful. ‘You took a while to wake up you know.’

‘I’m fine. Not to worry, eh?’

‘Well if you’re sure, Mr Hereford.’ She said proffering a tiny plastic cup with two tablets inside.

I emptied them into my mouth and washed them down with the water Beverly gave me. The image of Grandfather stayed with me, in fact if took a couple of hours before it faded, but it’s always stayed with me. Even now if I close my eyes and think about it I still see him standing there.

‘I’ll bring you a nice cup of tea in a few minutes. Then you can doze if you wish.’

‘What time is it?’

‘Six- thirty.’

She left the room. Five minutes later there was a mug of tea and a Canderel dispenser on the bedside table.

‘Thanks, Bev.’

‘My pleasure, Mr. Hereford.’

‘Bev?’

‘Yes?’

‘Call me, Jim.’

‘I’ll try to remember.’ She said as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

The tea tasted much better coming from a mug. I laid back and closed my eyes. Nice smile, she’s got there.