(no subject)

"Bloody hell, you must have one heck of an immune system." Cassie comments as Guppy comes in. "You looked terrible on friday."

Guppy shrugs. "I cheat time in another dimension. How's the ward been?"

"They missed you, I think." the ward sister replies, completely ignoring the mind-bending statement as a joke. "Helen kept asking me where her toy boy was. The two patients with West Nile Virus fever are now recovered and Mr E pulled through his encephalitis."

"Really? Fantastic." Guppy pours some tea. "Though I can't imagine his prognosis is good after that and a stroke. We really need to find his family."

"We've IDed him, he's a Mr Enton. Police matched his DNA to a sample sent from America. He's married, wife is on her way."

"Even better." Guppy looks at the man's notes. "What do you know, he really was a Mr E." Glancing up. "Any new patients?"

"Just the one. Motorcycle accident, young chap, about your age. Shouldn't really be on this ward but he needs the rehab. Half his medical records seem to be missing, see if you can wheedle them out of him. He's in bed eight, name's Colin East."

A feeling like ice running down his neck goes through Guppy. But somehow, he keeps a neutral face.

"Can I see the notes please?"

Cassie passes them over, and Guppy opens them, almost not daring to look.

"How is he coping?"

"Pretty well, given he's so young. Not many people expect to lose a leg at that age."

Guppy nods, takes the notes and makes his way to bed eight. He catches the eye of the occupant, then closes the curtains around them.

"Hey Fish. You didn't bring flowers?"