Scarred Beginnings (3 page)

Justin cleared his throat
and glanced around the store again.

“We can
go out tonight. There’s that fabulous new Italian just outside town and I’ve booked it already especially.” His expression had lightened markedly.

Ellen sighed
deeply.

“But David will probably be too tired by then. Today’s h
is first real trip out apart from going to the hospital or the local park. I should stay home with him tonight in case he needs me.”

Justin rolled his eyes.
His fists balled at his sides in frustration.

“For goodness sake Ellen. He’s not a baby. He can use his emergency buzzer if he needs anything. The restaurant is only a phone call away. Look, we haven’t had a night out together for weeks.
It’s your birthday and I want to do something special. I also want to talk to you about an idea I have, something exciting but I want to speak to you alone about it.”

Ellen looked up at him warily.
She was pleased that he’d thought to book somewhere for them but was worried about this possible new idea.

“I’m not going back to the d
esigner boutique idea. That was stupid, just so shallow. I don’t know what I was even thinking of. There are hundreds of exactly the same types of shop all over the country already and I don’t think we need any more of them. I want to do something for people like David.” There was a stubborn set to her jaw.

Justin knew when to back off. He held up his hands in defeat.

“I know that…this is just something a bit different that I wanted to bounce off you. It’s to do with your idea, sort of a spin off but I can’t discuss it with you now. Look, I have to get back to work. I’ll pick you up at eight…and dress nice. The place isn’t full of the usual riff raff.” He bent quickly and kissed her on the nose before strode out of the automatic doors.

Ellen
watched him disappear into the crowded street as she shoved her birthday card into her bag. She knew that she shouldn’t be disappointed. She had said no to presents anyway but she had hoped that he might splash out on some flowers. Oh well, there was always their dinner date. Perhaps he would bring some along then. A cough interrupted her thoughts and she spun around to find David grinning lopsidedly up at her.

“I scared the prat off then…Good, now we can have your birthday lunch in peace.” He sounded happier than he had
done all morning.

Ellen took a deep
, calming breath.

“He’s trying David. He’s just n
ot comfortable with the situation. You know what he’s like. Everything has to be perfect.”

David raised what was left of his eyebrows.

“Huh! Well it’s not like I can do much about my situation…I’m not a bloody starfish so I won’t be growing any more legs anytime soon and I wasn’t perfect before all this happened but he was fine with me then. Well, almost fine. He’s always been a bit of a jerk. I don’t know why you put up with him.” He rolled his wheelchair towards the automatic doors and Ellen followed him, smiling tightly as people moved out of the way.

“He’s okay
normally David. He was just a bit put out today. He was going to join us but something important came up at the office. We’re going out for dinner tonight instead. You can come if you’d like.”

David snorted as they left the shop
and wheeled himself out into the street.

“Don’t be daft woman. If you want to go out with him then that’s your problem
but don’t involve me. I’m just glad he is busy this lunchtime. I’m less likely to suffer from indigestion now.”

Ellen slapped his shoulder gently
as they moved slowly through the busy shopping precinct.

“I boo
ked Bar 72 for lunch. It has a nice casual atmosphere and the food’s good too. I think you’ll like it.”

David laughed.

“I’ll like anywhere so long as they serve decent beer.” He looked up at his sister as she began to protest.

“But you can’t have…” She shut up as he drew
to a stop in the middle of the walkway and interrupted her.

“Ellen, I haven’t had a beer in months. I was dying for one before all this shit happened. You can’t deprive me now, especially as I want to toast you on your birthday…come on,
go easy on me, I’ve bought you a special present,” he cajoled her with sparkling blue eyes.

She
sighed and relented.

“Okay, but don’t you dare moan at me if it upsets your stomach. You’re still on those antibiotics and they won’t work if you mess about with alcohol.”
She motioned for him to move again.

David groaned
and pushed the wheels of the chair forwards.

“If a flipping bomb didn’t kill me, I can’t imagine that a pint of beer will
have much effect. My leg only became infected because there was a shard of metal left in it.” The skin on his thigh was still sore but it had improved no end in the last week.

Ellen
held back a shudder at the thought of what he had been through and walked proudly along the high street beside him as they both ignored the stares some people gave them.

They reached the wine bar
and David waited as she held the door open.

Their fi
rst problem arose as David wheeled himself towards the bar. It was obvious that his chair was far too low and the bar far too high. He couldn’t even see if there was anyone behind it to assist them. He sighed as Ellen moved forwards and confirmed their reservation.

Their second difficulty arrived in the shape of an over attentive
waiter. Over attentive to Ellen. He spoke to her as though David barely existed, as though he sat behind a glass screen, seen but unhearing and unheard.

“Would the gentleman be more comfortable at the back of the restaurant?
There’s slightly more space and there’s a table right beside the toilets.”

Ellen looked pointedly at David and
David answered the man.

“
No, the gentleman would not like to sit by the loo while he eats his lunch. He’s fine here near the window.”

The waiter raised his eyebrows and spoke to Ellen again.

“We can arrange for any of the dishes on the menu to be…er altered to suit, I mean mashed or pureed if need be.”

Even Ellen looked surprised at that remark.
She looked at David again

David answered
once more, this time there was a slight hiss to his tone.

“That won’t be necessary
, thank you. Rather amazingly my teeth are just fine.” He snapped them together and they made a satisfyingly loud clack.

The waiter pursed his l
ips and spoke to Ellen yet again.

“I’ll bring you a straw for his drink too.”

Was this guy for real?
David actually laughed aloud this time and didn’t wait for Ellen to look at him.

“
Put a pink paper umbrella and a slice of pineapple in it at the same time will you.”

Ellen giggled
behind her hand but the waiter looked slightly shocked. He spoke icily.

“I was only trying to help.” At least he aimed his words at David directly
this time but David was past appreciation.

“Yes, well I have had all the help
I can take for today. A beer and a steak pie with chips for me and a bottle of champagne and the club sandwich for my sister would be lovely thanks, oh and a side of onion rings too thanks…We’ll call you over if we need anything else.”

Ellen nodded in agreement of the order as the waiter couldn’t help but look to her for confirmation
.

“Two glasses with the champagne?” he enquired haughtily of Ellen.

David shook his head.

“Just one thanks, I’m having beer. We’ll take the rest of the bottle with us if we don’t drink it.” He
shook his head in wonder as the man walked back to the bar. “What is it with some people? Do I look as though I am stupid or have gone completely ga ga? I tell you Ellen, I can’t stand much more of this. I want to make that appointment to see the prosthetics guy as soon as we get home. Everyone seems to think my brains were housed in my bloody kneecaps!”

Ellen agreed with him.

“I had no idea how much this kind of thing affected people. They’re not being unkind as such, but it’s grating in the extreme. I wonder if this happens to everyone in your position? To be honest it helps me with my decision. I know that I’m doing the right thing now.” She stopped speaking as the waiter returned with their drinks. Fortunately he hadn’t bothered with either the straw or David’s other more colourful suggestions.

David reached for his beer and stared at it appreciatively. He
gazed at the dewy condense rolling slowly down the side of the glass and then took a long sniff at the frothy white head. He licked his lips before he took a tiny sip.

“
Ahhh! That tastes like a slice of heaven,” his satisfaction was palpable as he smacked his lips. He took a longer swallow and then put his glass back on the table. If he was only having one pint he certainly wasn’t going to glug it. He wanted to have his legs fitted as soon as practically possible and couldn’t bear the thought of any delay caused by his own stupidity. He looked up at Ellen. “So what did you decide?”

Ellen
smiled as she bent to her handbag and pulled out some papers.

“I’ve been dying to show you,
” she spoke excitedly as she spread them on the table.

David
turned them to face him and peered down at the photographs, stunned beyond belief.

“Wow
, they’re impressive! Well, I wasn’t expecting anywhere nearly as spectacular as that. Where are these places?” He leafed through the papers with interest.

Ellen looked smug.

“France. We can’t afford anywhere big enough here in England even if we used all our money, but Brittany is only just across the Channel and there appear to be several suitable places there at less than a tenth of the cost. Property prices are nowhere near as expensive as here. Something to do with their tax laws if you try to sell and make a profit. I’ll need to look into it further but I think it would be more of a holiday if people have to travel a bit. There are good connections to the ferry ports and unlike here the actual places are big enough for adaptions for disabilities. I’m going to make some appointments as soon as you are back on your feet, so to speak.”

David looked admiringly at his sister.

“You don’t have to do this you know. However cheap these places are it’s going to take a big chunk out of your inheritance to put everything in place. I don’t want you to feel you have to do this because of me.”

Ellen shrugged.
When she had first seen the money on her bank balance she had screamed delightedly and ran about the house waving her statement in the air but now it meant next to nothing to her personally. Nearly losing her only brother had soon brought her back to her senses. She leaned over the table and touched his hand briefly.

“
I’m not doing it because of you but I might not have thought of it if you hadn’t been injured. This is going to be such a brilliant place.” She looked down at the pictures again and ran her finger across one of them. She lifted her chin and smiled at her brother. “What do I want all those millions for? I’ve stashed a fair bit away anyway, plenty to last me more than a lifetime. The rest I want to use for something worthwhile. Today’s experience has only made me more determined to make it come true.” She paused again and folded the papers away as her club sandwich and David’s pie arrived.

David picked up his serviette and placed it across his lap.

“You won’t be doing this on your own Ellen but I can’t help you just yet. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me or how my contract’s going to be affected. Officially I’m still employed by Her Majesty and I’ve another eighteen months left before I’m released from my contract. Moneywise I’m with you all the way, though realistically I’ll probably have to keep back a bit more than you as I don’t know exactly how much this is going to cost in the long run.” He picked up his fork and waved it in the general direction of his missing legs.

Ellen blew on a hot onion ring
.

“I checked up on your compensation. That should be through soon and you’ll get a pension anyway but I don’t want you to feel you have to do this with me. You’ll probably want to stay here
, find a wife and raise a family as soon as you leave the Army.” She popped the crisp, savoury batter into her mouth.

David nearly choked on his
mouthful of pie crust. He managed to stop the pastry spraying across the table with his snatched up napkin. His eyes watered as he forced himself not to cough and he waved Ellen back as she looked as though she was going to come around the table to slap him on his back. The last thing he wanted was the waiter rushing to take over and give him the Heimlich manoeuvre.

He took another sip of b
eer before he spoke in a hissed whisper.

“You have to be joking
! Do you think any woman is ever going to look at me now Ellen? I didn’t rate my chances much before all this, now I don’t have a hope in hell. I’ll be lucky if I can pay a prostitute to…to, well you know what I mean. Jeez, Ellen. I’m only half a man.” He tried to hold back the bitterness but it wasn’t easy. Most days he wished Steve had let him burn to death in that pit of hell.