There’s that pain again. Hard to pin it down, just about everywhere you can think of: legs, joints, in my chest. Sometimes I yell out, well maybe it’s just a grunt, but it does the trick as I feel a prick into my arm: everything soothing. I drift off to sleep.
Do you remember when we had that competition? You reckoned you could build a better sandcastle. I collected all that seaweed, and shells, and I found the straw that made a wonderful flagpole. You got into a snit and stomped across my moat!
My word, but its thirsty work at the beach. My mouth is so dry I could drain a swamp!
Ah yes, thanks Mum. Just dribble the face washer into my mouth. A bit more, whoops, careful; I think some is running down my bathers. Maybe move it around a bit. My forehead, also my shoulders and back could use a bit of that damp coolness. Yes, that’s wonderful: keep going.
My sandcastle is dissolving as the tide washes in where you knocked down the wall. The water feels delightfully cool and refreshing.
Can you hear that wheezing. Coughing, too. I can’t shift the stuff. It’s in my throat. I can’t breathe! Oh yes, that works, more back-rubbing please. I love walking on the wet sand. But I’ve gotta take a break, time to get my breath back.
Is that me coughing and spluttering? I’ll just lie back here for a bit under these trees. There’s a gentle, cooling breeze.
Who are you? Are you the nurse? Do I know you? How do you know my name? Your hands are so soft. It feels good when you hold my hand like that. Are you crying? No need for that, the sun’s warm and the water’s great. Thank God I’ve got my breath back!
Is there somebody else here with you? What did you say? I can’t hear you. Speak up!
I’m thirsty and my arms and legs are so heavy. I don’t think I can move them anymore. I really want a drink of water, please.
I want to have an ice cream now. You promised to buy me one if I was good. I’ve been lying here forever, no complaints – not like that dorky little sister of mine! Surely, she’s not going to get one too! All she ever does is complain and grizzle. Maar-um; that’s not fair!
What did you say? What are you saying about blue fingers? No, of course I never use that colour on my nails. What? Are you suggesting my lips are the same colour. Rediculous. Of course I haven’t done that. Nurse! Nurse! Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m tired. Time for a short nap.
There’s that gurgling again. Coughing fit to wake the dead. Opps, hang on, that warmness in the bed feels nice. It’s spreading all around me. Time to lie back and rest.
The sun is getting brighter. Hang on Mum, wait for me. I’m coming too!