“We love Brill,” Bubba says. “He came with us today. Can we bring him in to see you?”
Garty falls back on his pillows collapsing like a rag doll.
“They had me in a straight jacket until today. I think it was actually helping me.”
Bubba immediately tries to help plump up his pillow so that he feels secure.
“I see a window there, perhaps we could allow Brill to stick his head in?” She has a cheeky grin on her face. It makes Garty smile. He has hardly ever seen her smiling.
She is such a serious young woman, he thinks. This is a pleasant change!
But, be does not feel up to prancing over to the window wearing this inadequate gown that opens at the back view. His face turns red at his own thoughts. I am too ashamed!
“You can try some of these clothes on first, if you like?” Lad suggests sensitively.
“Yes, here, this is a shirt, white to go with anything. I hope it is your size?” Bubba says. “And a pair of black breeches,” she adds, picking up a thick velvety product on the chair. “With chocolate brown jacket to blend together,” Bubba says thoughtfully. “It is also velvet,” she says rubbing her hand lightly over the fabric.
“Where did you get these?” Garty asks, totally shocked, sitting up quite straight momentarily. He had lost everything and was at the end of his mind trying to figure out what he should wear when he gets out of here?
“I will help you to get dressed, if you like,” Lad says.
“Do you want to get the horse to the window while I help Garty?” Lad asks Bubba, who leaps off the chair and without hesitation, dashes outside to find Brill.
She has given me privacy.
“I am totally grateful to you,” Garty says as he leans on Lad to get dressed. It is a little painful, but bearable.
“These are spare clothing at Mrs Bouchée’s, and we guessed your size correctly, methinks,” says Lad as Garty stands up, holding on to the bed frame for stability.
“We brought boots as well,” he says, taking the leather chocolate brown pair in hand.
“These are my old boots, mended,” Garty says, shocked.
“Yes, the cobbler brought them to the inn and was asking where you were?”
“That’s bad,” said Garty.
Lad made a quizzical expression.
“Why so?’
“Because I was wearing the boots he gave me to borrow when I was attacked. I have no idea where they might be!”
“That’s unlucky,” says Lad. “I am sure someone will need them and they shall reappear one day! Do you wish to wear your old boots?” He is so positive that Garty feels stronger just talking to Lad.
Garty sits on the edge of the bed and with Lad’s help manages to get his old boots on again. He stands up and nods his head in appreciation.
“He has done a great job, they feel just as they did before, even better,” he says happily. “I shall repay the cobbler when I return.” He hopes that somehow he can do just that.
Without money I am undone, he thinks, but faith may shine on me again, he hopes.
They hear a knock on the glass pane of the window. Lad dashes to the window and finds it welded together, as it had not been opened for years. With brute force he manages to unlock and separate the sash and push it upwards. He can see the horse’s nose immediately. The window opening was now almost as big as Brill’s head, so the horse, coaxed by Bubba, shoves his face through. Garty is delighted.
Supported by Lad he comes forward slowly. Lad carries a chair in his other hand and places it near the window, so that Garty can have a chat with Brill.
The pair enjoys a quiet conversation whilst Garty pats Brill’s cheeks and muzzle. The horse responds with soft neighs, until someone walks past and shouts at them.
“What are you doing, Miss?”
Garty hears someone address Bubba, who is trying to explain what she is doing.
“It is not hygienic to have a horse in a hospital. Get him out of there immediately or I shall report you to the director,” the voice of an older male orderly says with much force. “We won’t tolerate that behaviour here,” he says with vehemence. His whole face shakes with temper.
“Take him away! Goodbye Brill, we shall meet again,” Garty says reluctantly as the horse retreats from the window opening.
I cannot endure another argument.
A week later, Gary enjoys another visit from Bubba, who rides to see him on Brill. He is walking gingerly around and feeling a lot better. His torso is still being bandaged but he knows he is recovering. He is delighted to see Bubba at the door of his room. She has the biggest grin on her face. She hands him the local newspaper from Scatt.
“You are now officially famous, read the front page,” she declares.
Garty is surprised to see a drawing of himself on Brill in monochrome. “Not a bad likeness,” he says, chuffed. At first it seems like a noble report, about how he had been attacked and is now recovering at St. Benedicts, having lost all his possessions.
“Well, that is not entirely true,” said Garty to Bubba as she drops her rear on a chair beside his bed. “Because I do have a few things at Etty’s Inn, including all my ledgers and some other property!”
“I almost forgot that we found this little picture locked in your hand on that fateful day.”
She hands him the little picture of the Queen.
“I am sorry,” she adds. “I tried to brush it clean. I think I made it worse! Sorry!”
“Thank you. I was wondering what happened to it.” Garty stares at the damaged little picture and places it on the small table near his bed.
“I still don’t know why Madam Etty hasn’t sent your belongings here to you?” Bubba says, looking into Garty’s face with a quizzical expression.
“Because they have no idea what happened to me, I suppose. Who would tell them about this? They are rather isolated, you know,” Garty says in a thoughtful fashion. “I must get back there and explain my disappearance. They know I was looking for the Weasley’s, that’s all.”
“We should have visited there and collected your things,” said Bubba. “We have been neglectful,” she says in response. She looks sad.
“Quite the contrary, Bubba! Please don’t be sad. You have done admirably.” Garty speaks softly to her and pauses before he continues. He wonders with whom she came today, as it is a treacherous route here.
“Did you come alone today?” Garty asks Bubba. He looks out for Lad, but he is missing.
“Lad had too much to do and I felt it was necessary to come and bring Brill once again, and I brought you some other things,” she adds excitedly.
“Other things?” Garty questions wondering what on earth she is so excited about.
“This notice in the newspaper, published by Mr Jael, has created quite a lot of excitement in our town. People have been coming to the inn to give you gifts of gold and other items, because you lost everything in the attack.”
She hands over a large saddle bag carried on Brill’s back. Garty takes the bag into his hands and now almost speechless, opens it. He shakes his head and feels emotional as he sees many needed items, including a velvet jacket.
“And this gold,” says Bubba, handing over a small velvet bag she has also carried on the journey. “You will be able to survive for some time, I imagine.”
Garty is dismayed that she has carried money safely with so many highwaymen about.
“Bubba, I am almost speechless, but thank you,” Garty says, withholding tears. “Please tell the folk in Scatt how thankful I am?”
“I shall,” she replies happily, bubbling over with delight. Bubba leans over and gives him a gentle hug, remembering his injuries. He responds by holding her close for a moment. She smells of the outdoors, roses and apples, he thinks.
“Keep the saddle bag for when you leave here,” she suggests.
“Thank you! This is unbelievable, the generosity of the townsfolk! I could not have dreamed they cared so well!”
There was enough gold to pay for any medical bills and also for Brill’s care. “Here, you must take these for Mrs Bouchée, in thanks for taking care of Brill.”
“I shall do so,” said Bubba, accepting two gold coins.
“Now, I shall open the window and allow Brill to enjoy a tete-a-tete with you!”
An hour later, Garty bade goodbye to his horse and Bubba, reluctantly, but he was also tired now.
“We will return tomorrow,” she shouts, waving her hand as her hair blew in the afternoon breeze. She is so lovely, Garty thinks. A gem not to be lost, he mused.
On the following day, the doctor reluctantly agrees to allow Garty a discharge from Saint Benedicts.
“You must however promise to rest for another week or two before you return to working at full pace,” the doctor commands.
Garty simply nods.
“I shall do my best to rest and recover,” he says, I cannot allow Bubba to keep riding alone to see him on that treacherous pathway. I must return to my work.
Garty packs his things and wonders if he should ask to hire a horse and buggy locally, to return to Etty’s Inn, where he can still rest and recuperate, obeying the doctor’s orders.
While he is wondering what to do about his travel, he hears a noise at the window. He flings open the window, now nicknames Brill’s window. What a shock to see his faithful horse Brill, who is happy to see his master. Happiness washes over him on seeing her horse, but something seems amiss?
“What are you doing here?” Asks Garty, wondering: does the horse know that I am being discharged from Saint Benedicts? Now I am acting as if a horse has insight and intuition, Garty thinks wryly.
Garty’s happiness plummets from happy to curiosity in a moment. “Wait on, who rode here?” He heads outside to check Brill and finds scuff marks on his back. The saddlebag is gone. He picks up a piece of green cloth fibres in one of the chains attached to the reins. His heart melts.
Garty gathers his things and quickly informs the sister that he must leave immediately. She chases him with a bundle of papers to sign. He scribbles his signature speedily, his heart thumping with anxiety.
“Are you sure you are well enough to leave?” Sister Mona asks.
“I must leave, for it is imperative,” he replies. “Please give my thanks to the staff and doctors here.”
She watches him leave on his faithful horse, and shakes her head. “Men, they are forever restless,” Sister Mona says quietly. She assumes he is leaving because of some broken hearted female waiting for his return. She is sceptical of all men!
Garty rides at a trot. He feels comfortable in his chest at this rate, so is pleased with their progress. He follows the track he believes Bubba may have travelled and keeps an eye out for any signs of a struggle. The track is overgrown with trees and bush so that he finds nothing of suspicion. He stops a couple of times to check on sounds, but these are simply birds singing in the treetops.