Fast Fiction: Nurse Allardyce
In this sensitive, sad short story by Richard Mallinson, the highlight of the 85-year-old narrator's day begins when Nurse Allardyce arrives on duty at 10 pm at the care home.
The highlight of my day in this care home by the sea begins at 10 pm when Nurse Allardyce comes on duty.
As the oldest resident, I am the first on her list.
The procedure is as follows?she helps me into my pyjamas and then into bed.
I must explain that at 85 I am not quite as agile as I used to be.
'Now' she says, patting the eiderdown, 'time for your nightcap - and I think I will join you, if I may.'
Gazing at her, I usually say 'If I were only 20 years younger -' and she grins and says 'I like you just as you are.'
'Yes, I know you do,' I say.
Sadly, she will leave this place one day for a better job and a higher salary, which of course she fully deserves.
'And who will make my cocoa and sit with me then?' I ask.
'Oh, you'll soon find somebody else you old charmer,' she says - and touches my cheek with her cool hygienic fingers?
There is a knock at the door but I do not respond. The night security man, Ted Bridges, lets himself in.
He shakes his bunch of keys, as if to impress me.
'Oh good evening Mr Cohen,' he says, shiftily looking around, 'is everything all right? I thought I heard you talking to someone.'
'Indeed you did, Mr Bridges,' I say, 'indeed you did.'
