Novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Chickenpox and Shingles.

Ever since Finbar had his harmonica, it was with him all the time, so when he was taken to hospital he felt naked without it.

The day after he was taken out by the ambulance drivers, Patrick wasn't feeling too well, said his back was very stiff and tingly, he had a terrible head ache and was really under the weather and thought it must be the flu; so Carmel insisted he stay home whilst she went to see Finbar.

She went along the main road to where the number eight inner circle bus route crossed the main road, which took her all the way to Ladywood and The Children's Hospital.

She knew he would be missing his harmonica so brought it with her, but when she got to the enquiry desk, she was told that Finbar was in some kind of isolation.

It turned out that he didn't have pneumonia at all but chickenpox.

“I don't remember any signs of chickenpox” said Carmel, but they were assured that there was no mistake. She had chickenpox as a child but she didn't know about Patrick.

Finbar was delighted to see his mother and all Carmel could see were loads of spots all over his lovely face. The hospital suggested they keep him in till the spots crusted over.

When she returned home she found Patrick in terrible pain on the side of his back, which turned into spots; she knew straight away that it was shingles; Patrick had infected Finbar with the virus.

When Finbar came home, Carmel decided it would be better if he shared the double bed with his da and she take Finbar's room, with the wanted posters all over the wall, pictures of Gary Cooper and Gort from 'The Day the Earth Stood Still.'

It would mean Patrick would have to take a few days off work, which they couldn't really afford, but it had to be.

She called the dairy, from her friend Phyllis' phone, to let them know.

Irene and Sydney offered to help all they could as Carmel was working full time too in New Street, down town.

Finbar and Patrick had the time of their lives; Patrick made egg dip, which was white bread, dipped into a few whisked raw eggs and fried in the pan. Sometimes they had sausages and sometimes they had egg dip and sausages together, but whatever meal they had was covered in ketchup.

In fact they were like two naughty little boys.

The music from the records played so loud that deaf Sydney next door could hear the music, with Tex Ritter, invariably singing High Noon.

One day Finbar went to the bottom of the garden, wearing his cowboy outfit – hat, guns and marshal's badge – and stood behind the gate. Patrick put High Noon on at full blast and as soon as Finbar heard the first part with the drums - bum bup bup bum bup bup bum, bum bup bup bum - bum bup bup bum – he walked down the path towards the front door. He was walking like Gary Cooper and stealthily crossed the grass to the bay window. As soon a he could see his reflection in the window, he turned quickly and fired at it, throwing himself to the ground - bum bup bup bum – 'Do not forsake me oh my darling' bum bup bup bum bum bup bup bum. Loud clapping from Irene and Sydney echoed around the little terrace.

As soon as he heard the applause he leaned back on his elbows and shot Sydney, who fell behind the fence – silence; nothing.

All was silent; birds twittered and a train sped by on the embankment; on its way to London.

Finbar wondered if Sydney had hurt himself as he was almost blind and might have hit something.

Elsie looked worried and went to him, “oh dear” she said as she moved towards him. Finbar couldn't see where Sydney was and looked over the fence.

There was Sydney laying there, not a move. “Are you okay?”

Sydney looked up and faintly cried “You got me La Rue” and he fell back – then “Eat Lead” and he shot Finbar with his finger.

Patrick came out into garden, carrying a tray of drinks; mugs of tea for the three grown ups and a glass of Ribena for Finbar.

“How are you, Pat?” said Irene.

“I think I'll live.”

“We're going to the Horse Show next week,” said Sydney.

“Oh! Where's that?”

“In Kings' Heath.”

Kings' Heath was a couple of miles further south on the main road; a fifteen minute bus ride away.

“Can we go, da?” said Finbar.

“Sounding very Irish, there!” said Irene.

“Ah it comes and goes with him” said Patrick “I suppose it'll be gone forever, one of the days”

“Carmel told me it disappears at school.” she said.

“Can we, go da?”

“I don't see why not – ask your mammy when she comes in.”

Of course Carmel said they could go and they went with Irene and Sydney on the number 50 bus. Finbar loved it as it had show-horse ponies, jumping and as he had his cowboy stuff on they let him sit on a pony and it was a lot of fun. Elsie and Sydney went every year but they hadn't mentioned it before. It was particularly impressive to Patrick as he missed his life in Dublin with the horses, the craic with the boys down 'the lane' and standing on a two wheeler.

When they got home he was very quiet.

“Penny for your thoughts?” said Carmel.

“Ah not much. It reminded me of Finn Macooill looking at the horses today. Not a horse there who could touch him, I bet, and nobody riding bareback; soft arsed English, or what?”

Chapter 16

London