chapter 20

Leah lay on the sofa as the doctor took his time to look over her. Her felt her ribs. As far as he could tell none of them where broken. But they where very bruised and swollen. He prescribed her some painkillers and anti-inflamatries to help with the pain and swelling. Jeff stood behind the sofa holding Leah’s hand. Each time the doctor, John, laid a hand, no matter how gently, on her she tightened her fingers around Jeff’s to try and stop herself from screaming from the pain his touch was causing.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The doctor got up and beckoned for Jeff to go over to him. Jeff reluctantly let go of Leah’s hand and walked over to the other side of the room where John stood.

“She needs a lot of rest Jeff. She is hurting very badly. She is also very tired, so for that I’m going to give you these tablets and you can only give them to her if she is unable to sleep, you must not give them to her at any other time, ok?”

“And you have to go to the chemist and get her prescription. She must take the painkillers when she needs them, but try and make sure she doesn’t take to many. The anti-inflamatries will help with the swelling and they have to be taken two every four hours.”

“And Jeff, you have to take care of her. This hasn’t just affected her physically.”

“I know that. The only thing she is going to do between now and when she’s recovered is shopping, we want to go to town. That should be ok shouldn’t it?”

“We wont’ be, thanks doc.” Jeff said as he shook his hand and went to walk away.

Jeff sighed. “I’m ok. Most of the bruises have gone but my knee still hurts a bit but I’m getting there.”

“Yes. I try to ignore them but I can’t. They are so clear, so real.” He said as he looked over at Leah who was now sat up on the sofa with her legs still lying across it. Gil and Matt where now sitting with her.

“They will be. I can’t promise you anything but they usually fade away. But like I said no promises they will.”

“And one more thing Jeff. If you ever need to talk you know where my surgery is and all discussions are confidential.”

Jeff again shook his hand and nodded his understanding. Jeff took the prescription and headed back to Leah whilst Gil got up and led John out of the house.