The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2608 by Angharad Copyright© 2015 Angharad

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This is a work of fiction any mention of real people, places or institutions is purely coincidental and does not imply that they are as suggested in the story.
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Allie drove the Mondeo up to London to Charring Cross Hospital. Henry had texted to say he’d meet us there. I found it ironic that this was the main gender unit of the NHS and I’d never been here before. But then I rarely do things the same way as everyone else, I was definitely a goat not a sheep.

Trish had gone off to sleep on the back seat as soon as we entered the motorway and stayed that way until we got to the hospital. It was the same as any large hospital building, huge concourse with a reception and a series of lifts to various wards and departments. I enquired at reception for my daughter—she was as I expected in ICU. Allie stayed in the car with the somnolent Trish so it was a solitary Cameron who went in search of her injured daughter.

The nurse in charge was reluctant to let me see her. “I don’t believe you’re her mother—you’re only just older than her.”

“You know she’s a transgender woman?”

“So?” I suppose in this place is was no big deal.

“When I first met her she came to me for advice, she was a student and I was one of the teachers nominated to help with personal issues.”

“That doesn’t make you her mother.”

“She was still in boy mode then and one of my other daughters was a hairdresser beautician. She gave her a makeover. Sammi was overwhelmed as her own parents were unhelpful if not transphobic. She stayed the night and has been with us ever since. She sort of adopted me as her mother and I’ve tried to encourage her ever since. My husband got her a job with the bank and she loves it. Since then she’s finished her degree and started a doctorate.”

“You are down as her next of kin, remember that she may be unconscious but might still hear anything you say—so keep it positive. I’ll warn you now that she’s not a pretty sight.”

“Okay.”

“Are you sure you want to see her?”

I nodded. This was going to be heart rending and I hoped that her beautiful face wouldn’t be too damaged. Despite psyching myself up for what I might see, I was devastated to see the battered and bloodied body lying in the bed. Surrounded by machines monitoring her vital functions she looked like a piece of steak in human form. I was very nearly sick. If I hadn’t seen the name Samantha Cameron above her bed I’d not have recognised her.

I wiped away the tears and with the nurse’s approval sat beside her. Taking her hand in mine, I said, “Hello, darling, Mummy’s here—I’ve come to help you get better...”

An hour later I became aware that Henry was standing watching me with the nurse. I’d been so wrapped up in what I was doing that I hadn’t noticed they were there. Apparently, the blue light got rather intense at one point and Henry had to ask the nurse to let me continue undisturbed as it would help Sammi recover more quickly.

I staggered to my feet to hug my pa in law and while I did so the nurse was gasping. “Her readings are nearly normal and the bruising has decreased—it’s amazing. Who are you? The patients either side have improved dramatically too. What are you—some sort of angel?”

I looked her directly in the eye and said, “Yes I am, something wonderful has happened tonight but sadly you won’t remember what, will you?”

Her eyes glazed over and she shook her head. I released from the trance and she went off to the nurse’s station. I threw a bubble of blue light around Sammi and said I’d be in again tomorrow. Henry walked me back to the car where Trish was fast asleep. He insisted we follow him back to Hampstead as it was safer than anywhere else in London.

Trish was put to bed in a single bed in my room in case she woke in the night and wondered where she was. I told Henry that I’d brought her to help keep the bank safe. He didn’t quite scoff having seen her in action before but he looked far from convinced that it was a good idea. He hoped Sammi’s team would be able to improvise until she returned.

“You saw her, Henry, that could be months. She looked like she’d been hit by a train.”

“Yes I know but your blue light will shorten that, won’t it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t control it, Henry, it does its own thing and tonight it wanted to help Sammi. She’s now stable so it might move on and help someone else.”

“Oh, I thought you did have some control over it.”

“Not very much. I asked it to help save her life and repair all her injuries—it could still take months.”

“I don’t think we have months.”

“I’m sorry but lives come before tradition.”

“Of course, do what you can and I’ll take Trish to the bank tomorrow and see how she could help us.”

“I honestly don’t know if she can but she’s better than nothing.”

“I’ll take what you can offer to help and be grateful,” he took my hand and kissed it gently. Monica organised a room for Allie which was fairly close to mine, so I felt reasonably safe. There were also guards walking about outside, so we were probably as safe as we could be.

I rose late the next morning, or late for me. It was nine o’clock and Trish’s bed was empty. I saw that before I noticed the time. For a moment I was aghast then realised she’d be having breakfast with Henry and Monica who’d spoil her rotten.

I showered and changed into the clothes laid out for me—some of Stella’s old ones which fit like my own. I had to reuse my old bra and shoes but that was all. When I arrived downstairs I discovered Henry had taken Trish off with him to the bank and Allie was waiting for me chatting with Monica and Mrs Jenkins the housekeeper.

Mrs Jenkins ignored my request for just a cuppa and piece of toast and gave me a pair of poached eggs on toast with a fresh pot of tea. Monica smiled at my short lived embarrassment and told me to eat up before she produced a full English. I took the hint and enjoyed my eggs on toast.

Allie escorted me to the hospital where once again I sat and healed on Sammi, who I began to recognise again. “You know, Mrs Cameron, I’ve never seen anyone heal that quickly before,” said the nurse who was different to the one I’d met last night.

“We’re all very quick healers in our family,” was my response while Allie who’d watched it all said quietly that her arm which was hurt in the scuffle the day or so before felt much better. I smiled in reply.