Traveller Probo
38. England

Tatae lived.

An extraction team marched in the dark of night, guided only by the homing beacon in Michael’s pack. An SAS medic established that Tatae was going to die if they did not get her to a hospital immediately, so a stretcher was produced and Tatae was wrapped in a foil blanket. A hike brought them to the Area of Convergence where they were snatched from the icy cold of the forest. After a brief interlude on a helicopter, they found themselves in a modern hospital.

The weather in Giolgrave had been bitter, so the transition from the panic, dark and cold to light and the warmth of the modern lifestyle was staggering.

As the medical team rushed Tatae to surgery, Michael waited. He hadn’t eaten or slept properly in days, so found he was famished. He wandered to a cafeteria and after a hospital curry, indulged in a cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar. He was accompanied by one of the extraction team, a dashing young SAS Lieutenant with the name ‘Wicks’ stencilled on his combat fatigues. Wicks offered a few pleasantries but the exhausted Michael barely spoke.

There was nothing more he could do. Half-way through his second cup of coffee, he looked up in weary surprise as Olivia Mojidi burst noisily into the cafeteria. Formerly a PhD student who befriended Tatae on her first visit to the 21st Century, Olivia was now CEO of the rapidly growing natural health company that based its products on Tatae’s traditional knowledge. With a blend of African and English ancestry, she had always been a looker and full of life. Michael wearily stood to be enfolded into her embrace at which Wicks gave an amused roll his eyes. Olivia had always been close to Tatae and a good friend but now she had the air of a celebrity and one used to money and influence. Olivia’s heart was in the right place and soon moved off to make a few brisk calls on her phone. She then stalked off to speak with a nurse so they could advise Michael of Tatae’s progress. It seemed that he had been temporarily overlooked.

The Jamaican nurse looked as weary as only night-shift medical professionals can be. “We’re so sorry Mr Hunter. Because it’s our night shift, most of our staff aren’t here and we’ve become side-tracked. There was a nasty accident on the M1 and our emergency staff have been overwhelmed. Tatae is now in surgery and a doctor is expected to speak to you soon.”

Michael asked that which he dreaded. “Do you know if she’ll live?”

The nurse paused and frowned. “I don’t think there’s a problem but as you can appreciate I can’t tell you much. I’ll get a doctor to speak to you as a matter of priority.”

After thanking her, Michael leaned back in his chair. Even having a chair to sit on was a novelty. Normally the only person with a back to his chair was Godric, with his special throne of office that had just been placed into the incomplete village hall. Michael knew it to be an uncomfortable chair at that. As the nurse moved away, he placed his hand on Olivia’s arm and thanked her. She smiled and placed her immaculately manicured hand on his. He then simply leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

He awoke with a start.

Wicks was seated next to Olivia and they chatted quietly while a few hospital staff wandered into the cafeteria to grab an early breakfast. There was the occasional odd look in his direction. He overheard Olivia explain in her typically loud, excited voice, “… we have solutions to many cosmetic and medical issues that modern pharmaceutical companies have chosen not to address. Take, for example, our hair remover. When someone has a wax-removal of hair, it’s normally only six weeks before the treatment is to be repeated. Let’s say a young woman is having a bikini wax or Brazilian. After the hair is removed, she simply applies this preparation and the hair doesn’t grow back. If it does, the hair is so fine that, within two or three treatments, the hair is permanently removed. And that’s not all …”

Michael rubbed his eyes and, realising his bladder was full, wandered into the men’s room. He caught sight of himself, not possible in Saxon Aengland, and realised he looked scruffy and ragged, like a vagrant. After washing his face the best he could, he and knew he needed to shower. The thought of a hot shower was suddenly immensely appealing.

When he left the men’s room, he noticed a doctor waiting.

“Doctor,” greeted Michael. “Can you tell me? How is Tatae?”

The Indian doctor spoke in accented English, his voice was professionally soothing. “Mr Hunter, let me tell you that Tatae is fine. She is well and we can also say that your baby is fine also. There was a risk of placental abruption.” He paused with a frown, “That is where the placenta has torn itself from the wall of the uterus. Now, in the case of Tatae, this was not a severe case. She just needs rest and, because she has lost a lot of blood, we are giving her IV fluids. She is well, as I said but is also very tired.”

Michael placed his hand on the doctor’s arm, “So, the baby is well?” he asked, almost breathless.

“Yes, yes. The baby is well. You have a baby daughter, did you know?” he smiled.

“Yes, I know that,” sighed Michael in relief. He felt as if the world had been lifted from his shoulders and he sank to a seat, suddenly utterly weary. “When can I see her? When can I see my wife?”

“Well she’s coming out of theatre and will be sedated for a few hours and under close observation. May I suggest you get some sleep? There’s no need to be here now.”

Olivia soon took control as she waved the doctor off. “Michael, darling, thank God all is well! There’s nothing we can do for Tatae now, so I’ve made some arrangements. I’ve booked an apartment where you and Lieutenant Wicks here can catch up on some sleep and freshen up. You have a few friends who want to see you but I’ve put them off for a bit.”

“Who?” asked Michael. “Was it Taylor?”

“Oh goodness no,” she replied. “Professor Taylor’s in Turkey. But Mike Hurley’s on his way. He’ll be here in a few hours. The morning traffic will slow him, I’m sure.”

Michael nodded, suddenly at the limit of his stamina. Within an hour, Michael was deeply asleep in one of the softest beds he had ever experienced. Booked into a luxury accommodation house off Hyde Park, he indulged in the utter delight of a hot shower, where he used every drop of shampoo and soap provided.

He didn’t even remember going to bed.

***

Tatae looked pale and drawn but her hand rested on her tummy. She had her look of grim determination. He knew she believed she had kept the baby purely by her own iron will. She didn’t like the drip in her arm, didn’t like the artificial lighting, and didn’t like that she couldn’t see the sky, all which indicated that she was on the mend. Despite her misgivings, Tatae had been gently grateful to the medical team who had helped to save her life. As she kissed their hands, the surgeon and nurses blushed, embarrassed and pleased.

Hurley and Murdoch arrived soon after the medical staff had left and, to Tatae’s utter delight, they brought their daughter Cynthia. She was a cheeky-faced, pigtailed blonde who quickly made herself at home on the bed with Tatae. She played with the Saxon healer’s hair and laughed when Tatae spoke. Michael smiled at his wife, who was utterly smitten. She cast a knowing look to her husband as if to say, ‘This one! This little one is just like our daughter. You will see!’

Hurley soon took Michael aside, “God mate, you gave us a bit of a scare!” he muttered quietly.

Michael grunted. “Gave myself a bit of a scare too mate. It was a bit touch-and-go there for a while.”

The Irishman nodded. “Transporter Corp is shitting themselves. They’ve spent so much time in the drive to get another Transporter, they forgot about you. We’re damn lucky they decided to make the Transporter available for a few days, just to make sure you were okay.”

Michael nodded wearily, “It was a close thing.”

Hurley gave a snort at the understatement.

“But she’s all right I think,” Michael reiterated. “The doctors say she’s to spend the next month in hospital, you know.”

There was a bark of laughter. “No hope of that!

With a weary nod of agreement, Michael also smiled. “Aye. You know Tatae. She hates this place. She hates how far we’ve come from the forest. I’ve told you before, she’s bloody uncanny in some of the things she knows. But here,” he gestured at the walls and the bare walls of the hospital, “she’s nothing. I can’t make her stay!”

Later, the doctors returned. In suggesting their famous patient remain, they came head-to-head with Tatae’s stubborn streak. Michael acted as interpreter, where they were told in no uncertain terms that Tatae would not remain in hospital but wanted to return home. In the end, they compromised. Tatae would stay at the apartment where Michael had taken up temporary residence. What made the compromise easier was the promise of the trees and open skies of the nearby parks and gardens, and the almost constant presence of Olivia.

The apartment was comfortable and Tatae, for once, gave heed to the advice to rest. She especially loved her visits from Murdoch and Cynthia and they spent hours playing on the floor or slowly walking around the parks as they fed resident squirrels, swans and ducks. Olivia was also a constant presence and, thankfully, didn’t badger Tatae for more of her herbal lore.

But Michael wasn’t fooled. Olivia knew much more knowledge lay locked inside Tatae’s pretty head. She was determined to extract as much of the ancient healer’s lore as she could.

Their time of peaceful isolation was soon interrupted when the media appeared in the foyer and Hurley was forced to hire security to keep the paparazzi from walking into the building.

For the moment, Tatae’s walks halted and Michael sought another solution.