Lucky you with a wife, the doctor said, nodding toward the ward.
I was terrified that Eleanor would ever find out how Id ended up in hospital. If that happened, Id be denied the kind of care and attention Id grown used to. From the nurses chatter, though, I gathered that she knew the whole story.
Nick was a chatty fellow, the sort of bloke whod made the top three salespeople in his firm without breaking a sweat. That gift for gab served him well with the ladies.
He wasnt blessed with striking looks or a hefty bank balance, but hed got charisma by the bucketful.
Hed swept up the shy, sweet orphan Eleanor almost without effort, yet unlike his other flings shed lodged herself firmly in his mind.
Six months after they met, hed put a ring on her finger, and shed said yes with a smile.
They moved into a twobedroom flat that Eleanor had inherited from her grandmother, while Nicks little onebedroom studio was let out to bring in a few extra quid. The studio had been a birthday gift from his mother when he turned eighteen.
After that, Im on my own, his mother, Margaret, had declared. Im finally going to sort my own life out.
Nick didnt often visit the house in the neighbouring county where his mother lived. He didnt want to rub salt in the wound of his newlystepfather, and he didnt want to intrude on her routine.
Now, with his own family, he felt a swell of contentment.
Eleanors got you wrapped around her finger! his mates teased. What, you turning into a milquetoast?
Just keep quiet and be jealous, Nick shot back, grinning. My wifes perfect, youll see for yourself.
And it turned out she was. Eleanor proved a brilliant housewife: never raised her voice, never threw a tantrum, and, as a landscape designer, she brought home a decent salary.
Nick thought her only flaw was being overly kind. Hed say, If she were that nice just to me, itd be fine, but she spreads it to everyone.
Old neighbour Irma, whod long since stopped calling the private nurse, now relied on Eleanor for her injections and medication.
Anyone in the neighbourhood who found a stray puppy or kitten would haul it over to Eleanor. Shed take it in, nurse it, and find it a new home.
At work shed help any lazy colleague, and on the street shed toss spare change to beggars.
Eleanor, you cant keep being so generous! Nick would complain sometimes. Everyones leeching off you!
It isnt all about us, shed reply, with a hint of reproach. If someone needs help, you lend a hand.
By the fourth year of marriage, Nick began to feel a niggle: Eleanor wasnt much for parties. Her idea of a night off was a walk in the woods, a stint at the animal shelter, or a visit to the theatre.
He had no quarrel with that, but after a long week he preferred to unwind in a noisy pub, a night club, or a holiday park.
Eleanor didnt object, though she rarely joined him.
One evening they argued about this again, and Eleanor brought up the subject of a child for the first time.
Nick wasnt ready for kidsneither of them were even thirty yet. Why rush? he thought.
He muttered that he couldnt miss his mate Lukes birthday, that hed be waiting for him at The Lantern later, and that was that.
Eleanor never turned up. She sent a text saying she couldnt make it and would explain later.
Whats there to explain? Nick snapped, his temper flaring. Shes playing the martyr again! Shes hurt, I guesswell, off with her!
Take it easy, brother, Luke replied, trying to calm him down. Dont get hotheaded.
But Nick was already on the booze. He downed cocktail after cocktail, hit on a few girls, and eventually left the club with a new acquaintance, a girl called Lila.
What happened next was a blur. Theyd spent some time in her flat, Nick dozed off, and woke to the smell of smoke, the crackle of flames, and a thick white haze. Lila was gone, the room was ablaze.
Panicking, Nick tried to find an exit, but the door was blocked. He vaulted out a window onto the third floor, landed on a garden lawn, and blacked out. He only woke up in a hospital a week later.
The scans show a serious concussion, two broken ribs, a fractured leg in two places, several bruises and cuts, the doctor listed. Youve been lucky, lad. It could have been worse.
Nicks head was foggy from the medication, and he could only nod in response.
The doctor gave a little nod toward where Eleanor was standing, saying shed never left his side, that even the junior staff had been swept aside because of her, the senior consultant added.
Nick turned his head with effort and met Eleanors pitiful smile. Hey there, she whispered.
She hadnt vanished. Shed taken a few days leave, arranged a private ward for him, stayed close by, and even managed to pop home during the day to whip up something warm for him.
Hed feared shed discover how hed ended up there, thinking that would ruin the tender care she gave him. Yet from the nurses whispers he learned she knew the full story, and the police officer who took his statement confirmed it.
Lucky you, mate! the officer said with a halfsmile. Some would have tossed you out, but shes stuck by you.
He went on to say the fire had been started by drunken neighbours of Lila. Shed woken up first, bolted out, apparently forgetting about her uninvited guest. She only mentioned Nick when the fire brigade arrived; they were too busy to rescue himhed already leapt from the window.
Even the pretty nurses, to whom hed tried his usual flirtatious banter, shot him disdainful looks. He cursed himself, but time could not be turned back.
It didnt take long for Nick to realise Eleanor wasnt about to abandon him. She spoke calmly, never blamed him for the incident, cared genuinely, and that let him relax.
In truth, how could he forget that his Eleanor was a saintkind, compassionate, and endlessly patient?
His friends seemed to fade away. Luke stopped dropping by; the sight of Nick, gaunt and bandaged, didnt inspire another visit. His mother never came either.
I suppose theres no risk of me becoming a burden, and someone will look after you, she said over the phone, rather detached. Were off on holiday with Fred, cant cancel that now.
She kept to brief messages about his health. She sent a modest sum of money, but that was all.
The financial side gnawed at Nick. He knew the private ward, medication, and extra attention from doctors werent cheap. He had no savings to speak of.
Dont worry, Eleanor said, trying to soothe him. I set aside some money for when we have a child, but it doesnt matter now. Ill sort it later.
He spent a month and a half in the hospital, surviving two operations. Rehabilitation lay ahead, but he felt he was getting back on his feet.
Eleanor was the one who fetched him. He was forever grateful, planning a romantic dinner (delivery still on the table), wanting to apologise again, and ready to start a family. Hed now do anything for his beloved wife.
Nick didnt immediately realise where they were headed, and when they finally arrived, he was taken aback. Eleanor had brought him back to his own studio.
I asked the flatmates to move out, had the cleaners in, restocked the fridge, paid the internet bill, she announced in a steady tone. Ive filed for divorce. I hope you wont stand in the way.
He was stunned, waiting for her to laugh and say she was joking, but she didnt smile.
Ive asked for forgiveness, Nick managed finally. Ill ask a hundred times! Ill get down on my knees as soon as I can! Dont leave me!
Im sorry, but I cant and wont live with you any longer, Eleanor replied, pity in her eyes. I dont love you any more.
Why did you ever bother with me then?! he snapped. Playing the sweetheart again? Throwing dust in peoples eyes?
Eleanors gaze grew solemn. Grandma taught me you never abandon someone in trouble, even if theyve betrayed you, she said. You no longer need my help. From now on, youre on your own.
She turned and walked out, closing the door gently behind her.
On your own, the phrase echoed in Nicks mind for a long while. Hed heard it before and managed, but this felt different.
He decided he would win her back. Hed get his feet under him, find a job, and figure something out.
A month later he learned Eleanor had sold the flat and moved to another cityapparently far enough away from him.
