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A Soldier's tale	By : Dragonlady Category: S through Z > The Sharpe Books Views: 2485 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the books or series Sharpe or any of the characters therein, I write only for my own pleasure and I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Chapter 4
Next week I have to venture out into the outside world again– it seems like years since I’ve been out of here – and I am shit scared. Last time I only had to go around the corner and do the wheelchair drills – hopping pavements, crossings, negotiating doors etc. This is going to be harder than any of the missions I’ve been on - this one is not a little trip this is into the centre of a massive city and worse still one I’ve never been to.
The day dawns bright after the rain we’ve had recently and I load up my back pack and sit it on my lap – loading into the minibus with several others is horrible I have ended up in the disabled side of things – being taken up in a tail lift and strapped in - I feel like I have been tagged openly as a disabled person and I don’t like it one damn bit.
We get into the city – it’s a mad bustle of people and just for a moment I wonder why I agreed to do this, after all I’ve never been here before – then I remember it’s another step to my freedom.
We are all unloaded – I can’t wait until I can find another way of getting around– it feels almost degrading being unloaded like cattle, I half expect someone to come up and pat my head any minute like I’m some sort of idiot.
Suddenly I hear a voice that cuts through my mood – “Hi Richard.”
My bad mood disappears as I realise that it’s Teresa, I’ve missed her this past week.
“Hello Lass”, I smile up at her as she walks around to my side.
It is all go now – we are each given a walkie-talkie and a single guide to go around the city –I’m glad Teresa is my guide this time.
We set off through the throngs of people some working, some shopping in the Ring – I thought I’d go straight for the bone of the problem and try to negotiate the Ring being a massive shopping centre on three huge floors – and hope for the best. I barrel through the doors and into a swirling myriad of noise and colour – it’s actually a bit nerve racking at this height -especially after being in the relative quiet of the unit.
As I wheel myself slowly through the entranceway to the centre I almost get hit in the head by a handbag a lady has over her shoulder and then an umbrella, then I get pitying looks from several people who take in the fact that I am sat several feet lower down than them and worst of all the look of horror on one person’s face when she suddenly realises as sees my shorts come to an abrupt end - that my lower legs are missing.
After an hour like this I feel like screaming again – to live is one thing and to be ignored is annoying -but to be the object of nothing but people’s pity is appalling.
I grit my teeth as I push around and through them until I reach a place called Brown’s –“Oh God, I need a drink!”
Before Teresa can say a word I wheel towards the door which thankfully is propped open; and manage to negotiate it without skinning my knuckles – but only just. A guy comes around from the bar – “where would you like a table Sir?” – He actually spoke to me not to Teresa – what a relief finally someone realises I am still here.
“Over by the window please.”
He motions over to a table as the other barman moves the chair from for me.
I wheel myself up and wedge myself in the gap as though my life depends on it slamming my brakes on.
“What can I get you Sir, Ma’am?”
“OH I really need a beer, you got a good one?”
“Yes sir, got a good Black Country ale or one from up North?”
“I’ll go with the Black Country for a change, Teresa?”
“Oh thanks Richard – I know I shouldn’t - but I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay please.”
“No problem, I’ll get those for you now Sir, he inclines his head to Teresa -Ma’am.”
Once the drinks are delivered we sit there for a while.
After half a glass my temper has returned to normal and I smile at Teresa.
“I’m sorry Lass; I just found it hard the way they all look at me – like I need pity from them.”
“It’s ok; you’ll get to the point that you just ignore it – you’ll just let it go over your head.”
“Either that or I’ll flatten someone!”
She laughs – “or maybe run them over?” I can’t help but laugh with her.
Teresa glances over at the window where I feel like I seem to be an object to stare and laugh at – several young men are staring openly at me as if I shouldn’t be sitting here especially with a beautiful girl like Teresa.
She whispers to me – “are you up for a wind-up?” I nod – “just watch their faces;” she smiles and she leans over to me; they continue to stare as she takes hold of the back of my head - her hand on my sleek dark blonde hair and slowly lowers her lips to mine. I glance sideways and see their jaws drop open like on a film - I decide to slip my arm around Teresa’s neck and deepen the kiss, God it feels so good.
By the time we pull apart the crowd has drifted away – Teresa starts to smile and then as I do - she starts giggling in the end we are both laughing.
“That was really good.” It felt incredible to kiss her - I couldn’t have thought of a better or nicer way to make people believe I’m still normal.
“I hope you didn’t mind Richard?”
“No not at all; thank you for making me feel like a man again – in one of the nicest ways ever.”
She smiles at me.
I pay for the drinks and we exit Brown’s into the crowds of people again – I negotiate the next 2 hours including ordering food - without taking notice of more than the odd pitying look.
I manage to buy some items and take them back to the unit with me which was all part of the challenge–I don’t even mind the journey back so much as I did coming to the city this morning.
Teresa comes back with me to the ward and as I pull to a halt beside my bed and put my rucksack down on the floor – I take out something I found whilst going through a stall selling vintage items.
“Well that was a good run Richard – you’re ready for your release.”
I laugh as I realise it sounds like I’ve been behind bars.
Teresa laughs too as she realises the same thing.
“Thank you Teresa, I hope you don’t mind..” I hand her the little brown paper bag I have in my hand.
I watch as she empties a vintage silk handkerchief into her hand embroidered with a scripted letter T in one corner – it’s as though it was made for her.
“Oh Richard, thank you; it’s lovely.”
I smile at her, “Just in case you ever need one.” Teresa leans down to kiss my cheek –for a fleeting moment I wish I could pull her into my arms again.
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- 5
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A Soldier's tale