It was Christmas Eve and the nurses hustled and bustled even faster than usual. All wore tinsel and big smiles. Volunteering for the Christmas Eve shift was always a big deal, especially so in Ward 44 because, for these patients, this would be their last Christmas.
The old man reached out from under his hospital bed sheet and gently held his wife’s hand. He looked her in the eye with love in his heart. “Freda you have always been by my side and here you are again, by my side whilst I’m on my death bed.”
His wife wiped away a tear.
“Freda, you were there the day after our wedding when I fell off a ladder and broke my leg. You were there with me on holiday when I nearly drowned.” The old man managed a watery smile. “You were even by my side when that lorry wing mirror knocked me into the road and a moped ran me over.’
His wife stroked his forehead and nodded. “Shush,” she soothed. “You look too exhausted to speak.”
But the old man knew he wouldn’t make Christmas. He had to speak and it had to be now. “And here you are again, as I lie dying,” he wheezed. He summoned his remaining strength and managed another gentle squeeze of her hand. “Freda you’ve been by my side through it all. I’m starting to think you’re a f#£k!^g jinx!”
Merry Christmas everyone x