Suzy by Gary L Beer (easy books to read in english txt) 📕

As he enters the kitchen Lewis grabs the overflowing bucket of water in the sink and hurries to the lounge. The smoke is a lot thinner and he throws the bucket of water accurately to where the fire was. Backing out he runs into the kitchen and out of the back door as a fit of coughing overtakes him.
The coughing is intense and Lewis starts to feel a great pain in his chest as if he is having a heart attack. Realising his lung is collapsing, he starts to swear as anger fills his face.
The pain in his chest is intense and Lewis falls to the ground cursing and crying.

Lewis must have passed out for a few seconds as the next thing he is aware of is a very concerned fireman asking him if he is all right.
Looking at the fireman in all his bright protective clothing makes the situation feel unreal, wheezing badly Lewis tries to answer but only manages a very painful cough.
“Ambulance is on the way sir.” the fireman tells him as he gently holds his shoulder.
Lewis leans into it, grateful for the support; “Collapsed lung, happened before.” he manages to say before coughing again.
“Peter,” shouts the fireman to his mate who has appeared from around the corner of the bungalow; “need the medics around here mate.”
“The ambulance has just pulled up.” Peter replies as he disappears around the corner.
“Take it easy fella, medics are on their way.” assures the fireman as he helps to support Lewis, who is coughing badly.
Two medics hurry towards him and exchange places with the fireman; assessing the situation quickly one of the medics steps forward as he pulls out a plastic mask from his holdall; “Get the small bottle of oxygen will you please Bill?” he asks of the other medic who hurries away back to the ambulance.
“Have you sorted in no time sir, bit of smoke inhalation, will have you back to normal in no time,” he tells Lewis confidently.
Lewis shakes his head; “Collapsed lung.” he manages to say between coughing.
The medic looks at him with that superior look seeming offended at Lewis's diagnosis; “Collapsed lung; what makes you say that sir?”
“Had one before.” replies Lewis as he coughs to avoid any more talking.
Bill the medic appears before Lewis as he feels the mask slipped over his mouth and nose. Connecting the mask to the oxygen cylinder Bill switches it on and Lewis breathes in gratefully. The rush of oxygen clears his head and he feels instant relief as a fresh fit of coughing has him pulling the mask off.
“Better get the trolley round here, is the young lady all right?” asks the medic of his partner Bill.
“Yes, she is breathing well now.” Bill answers as he stands and walks back to the ambulance.
“Won't be long now sir.” the medic assures Lewis, still seeming to be annoyed.
Lewis does not answer as he puts the mask back over his nose and mouth and breathes in gratefully. The pain in his chest has eased but the lung has collapsed further making it difficult to breathe. It feels like there is a big tennis ball in his chest that is preventing him breathing, every breath he can feel it move and he curses his god silently.
The trolley soon arrives and Lewis is carefully picked up by Bill and Tony. Holding the oxygen bottle Lewis is taken around to the front of the building. Suzy is being cared for by a large female medic and looks towards him as she hears the sound of the trolley approaching.
Suzy looks fine, apart from her smudged mascara and tangled hair, when she sees Lewis on the trolley her face turns pale.
Lewis gives her a weak wave as he is pushed past and along the path. The police appear as they reach the gate; a sergeant and what looks like a young trainee; “Everything all right?” the sergeant asks Tony as he looks down at Lewis with obvious concern.
“Bit of smoke inhalation, he will be all right in a few hours.” replies Tony as he continues towards the ambulance.

Suzy almost wets herself when she sees the policemen at the front gate, watching the interchange between the policeman and the medic Suzy tries to calm herself.
Carol, the medic treating Suzy notices her change; “Are you in any pain Suzy?”
Suzy nods her head and coughs violently as the police sergeant walks towards them. The trainee remains by the gate and watches as Lewis is being loaded onto the ambulance.
As the sergeant approaches the door a fireman comes out from inside the bungalow; “Do you need us for anything?” asks the sergeant.
“No, a candle got knocked over, the fella there,” as he nods towards the ambulance; “had managed to put the fire out. We will stay here for a while and dampen it down more just in case.”
The sergeant smiles; “We won't get in your way then.” he says as he turns and walks back down the path.
Suzy feels like screaming in relief as she watches him walk away.

Lewis pulls the mask off his face; the smell of the new plastic mask is getting to him and making him feel sick.
“Everything all right sir?” asks Tony.
The ambulance has been mobile for about ten minutes and Lewis prays for the journey to end. The pain in his chest when they go over bumps in the road and the smell of the plastic makes him wish he was home.
Knowing the medic would want some kind of answer Lewis quickly replies; “Feel sick.” as he replaces the mask.
The medic remains silent as he monitors Lewis's heartbeat and respiration.
The bright lights of the hospital are a welcoming sight and Lewis smiles when the ambulance finally stops. The doors of the ambulance are quickly opened and still clutching hold of the oxygen bottle Lewis is wheeled into the Clinical Decision Unit.
Pushing Lewis into a side ward Tony and Bill help the nurse as she removes the oxygen mask and replaces it with one that is connected to the hospital. Bill nods his head towards Lewis as he walks back to his ambulance carrying the oxygen cylinder and mask.
Tony looks at Lewis awaiting thanks.
Lewis raises his hand; “Thank you so much.” he says through the oxygen mask.
“Take care now.” replies Tony in a superior way as he waves and walks out of the ward.
The nurse immediately appears by his side and holds his wrist as she checks his pulse. Making him get out of his clothes Lewis is forced to wear a white gown that ties at the back.
“Can I have a pillow please?” asks Lewis as he had been laid on a bed with no pillows and only one tiny blanket at the bottom of the bed.
“There are no pillows.” answers the nurse as she checks his pulse again; releasing his wrist she walks away.
It is impossible for Lewis to lie on his back as the pain becomes too intense, laying on his right side his head falls down towards his shoulder; pulling on the left lung and nearly causing him to scream out in pain.
Sitting upright takes Lewis time, as each movement causes waves of pain to pass through his chest. Eventually he manages it and leans forward and grabs hold of the little blanket at the bottom of the bed. Rolling it up as best as he can, Lewis lies back down and slips the badly rolled blanket underneath his head.
The shock of the collapsed lung also affects his mind and Lewis closes his eyes as he feels 'out of it'. Drifting off into unconsciousness Lewis is woken by someone pulling the blanket from under his head. A young orderly carefully folds the blanket and puts it at the bottom of the bed.
“Have you got any pillows?” asks Lewis.
“No they are all being used.” replies the young orderly as he walks away.
Annoyed with the orderly for taking his blanket away Lewis manages to sit up and retrieve the blanket from the bottom of the bed. Making a better job of rolling it Lewis lies back down and slips it under his head. Feeling more comfortable Lewis drifts off again.

Lewis is awoken by the doctor and her team as they cluster around his bed, once again someone tries to take the rolled up blanket from beneath his head. Holding onto it tightly Lewis opens his eyes as a nurse steps back. Finding himself as a bit of an education piece for the trainees, he is examined by the doctor who recommends an MRI scan.
The doctor and her team depart hurriedly and Lewis and his bed are pushed out into the main ward and put in a position three beds down from the door. It is a bit noisier in here and Lewis notices the clock on the wall; he had been here for three hours.
Lying back down on the bed on his right side Lewis tucks the rolled up blanket under his head and drifts off again.
Someone pulling the blanket from under his head makes him snap his eyes open as he clutches onto it desperately.
Looking into the face of the same young orderly who had taken the blanket earlier he says in his most aggressive voice; “Leave it alone.”
The young orderly releases his hold of the blanket but changes his mind and holds it again as tries to pull it from underneath Lewis's head!
“Get away from me.” he says in a low angry voice, quite prepared to use violence, even with a collapsed lung!
The orderly looks at Lewis's face; he knows by the tone of voice the next move will be a fist in his face. Still not saying anything the orderly lets go of the blanket and goes to find someone else to annoy.

“Suzy, you all right?” shouts Sharon into her phone as she answers Suzy's call.
“They have taken Lewis to the hospital with smoke inhalation.”
“That sounds serious, are you all right?”
“Yes, fine thanks, it all went like Lewis said it would apart from the smoke. Luckily I had shut the bedroom door so I got a smoke free room to sleep in.”
“You sure you don't want to come here? You are very welcome you know.” Sharon asks as she had been looking forward to Suzy visiting for a few days.
“I would not be able to sleep worrying about my possessions. The fireman said the fuses are blown and I will have to have an electrician check the wiring before I turn it on.”