Fiction: Bush Recuperates. G
TITLE: Bush Recuperates
AUTHOR: Ashley-Pitt
CHARACTERS: William Bush, Horatio Hornblower
WORD COUNT: 375
RATING: G
SUMMARY: What perhaps Bush was thinking as he fretted in hospital after the battle on the Renown in Lieutenant Hornblower
DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters, nor am I making any money from them. I borrow them once in awhile, but put them away tidily.
William Bush sat propped up in his cot trying desperately not to scratch the numerous areas that were itching intolerably. He did this not only because he been admonished to not touch the healing wounds, but because just trying to reach them caused sharp pain.
So he sat, wishing he were on deck in a raging storm roaring orders to the men. Then he would have no time to even think of the discomfort of his wounds.
Or he thought, if someone would come to visit him to at least relieve the boredom.
Bush’s shoulders sank as low as his wounds would allow. He had not many friends aboard the Renown and of course all aboard the ship were busy with the refitting
But then a small image of gentle hands and a concerned voice flashed though his thoughts. Bush smiled at the memory.
It was true, he had had ‘visitors’ of sorts. One had been the doctor, who sniffed his bandages and said medical words that were beyond Bush’s ken: and the other was loblolly boy who Bush had decided was only marginally more intelligent than a twelve pound cannonball.
And today his boredom had been temporarily relieved by the arrival of Captain Cogshill.
But that visit had only caused Bush to relive the events on board the Renown and make his wounds itch even more.
The door opened and the loblolly boy arrived with his meal. Bush ate methodically, chewing each bite many times as if it were time- hardened salted meat. Bush supposed the stew tasted good. It was a damn site better that the watery gruel they had given him at first. But years of eating tasteless food had inured his palate. As long as the food was plentiful and hot, Bush was happy.
He sat back when he finished and was just about to roar for his dishes to be removed when the door opened and the loblolly boy announced, “Visitor, sir.”
His heart leapt as he saw Hornblower standing there holding a basket of fruit.
Bush’s eyes watered with an odd mixture of pain and happiness as he quickly straightened up and stuck out his hand.
“How are you sir?” asked Hornblower.
“All the better for seeing you.” said Bush, and meant it.
AUTHOR: Ashley-Pitt
CHARACTERS: William Bush, Horatio Hornblower
WORD COUNT: 375
RATING: G
SUMMARY: What perhaps Bush was thinking as he fretted in hospital after the battle on the Renown in Lieutenant Hornblower
DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters, nor am I making any money from them. I borrow them once in awhile, but put them away tidily.
William Bush sat propped up in his cot trying desperately not to scratch the numerous areas that were itching intolerably. He did this not only because he been admonished to not touch the healing wounds, but because just trying to reach them caused sharp pain.
So he sat, wishing he were on deck in a raging storm roaring orders to the men. Then he would have no time to even think of the discomfort of his wounds.
Or he thought, if someone would come to visit him to at least relieve the boredom.
Bush’s shoulders sank as low as his wounds would allow. He had not many friends aboard the Renown and of course all aboard the ship were busy with the refitting
But then a small image of gentle hands and a concerned voice flashed though his thoughts. Bush smiled at the memory.
It was true, he had had ‘visitors’ of sorts. One had been the doctor, who sniffed his bandages and said medical words that were beyond Bush’s ken: and the other was loblolly boy who Bush had decided was only marginally more intelligent than a twelve pound cannonball.
And today his boredom had been temporarily relieved by the arrival of Captain Cogshill.
But that visit had only caused Bush to relive the events on board the Renown and make his wounds itch even more.
The door opened and the loblolly boy arrived with his meal. Bush ate methodically, chewing each bite many times as if it were time- hardened salted meat. Bush supposed the stew tasted good. It was a damn site better that the watery gruel they had given him at first. But years of eating tasteless food had inured his palate. As long as the food was plentiful and hot, Bush was happy.
He sat back when he finished and was just about to roar for his dishes to be removed when the door opened and the loblolly boy announced, “Visitor, sir.”
His heart leapt as he saw Hornblower standing there holding a basket of fruit.
Bush’s eyes watered with an odd mixture of pain and happiness as he quickly straightened up and stuck out his hand.
“How are you sir?” asked Hornblower.
“All the better for seeing you.” said Bush, and meant it.