The Changeling - Chapter Seven

The Changeling

Chapter Seven

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50 years earlier

Maggie and Den Thompson sat beside their son's hospital bed, trying to calm the fractious toddler.

'I wanna go home!' John sobbed. 'I want my teddy!'

'It's OK darling, we're just waiting for the doctor to visit and then we can go home!' Said his Mother soothingly.

'Wanna go NOW!' Shouted John.

A soft knock came at the door. 'Come in' Said Den.

A white coated doctor entered the room. He walked up to John and tousled his hair. 'And how is my favourite patient today?' He asked, smiling.

'Arm better. Wanna go home!' Said John, looking petulantly at the doctor.

'OK, OK.' Chuckled the doctor. 'You can go home. I just need to talk to Mum and Dad a minute, then you can go. But mind you, don't go running riot and falling over with that sling on!. I don't want you back here again.'

The Doctor turned to Mr and Mrs Thompson. 'Can we step outside and speak for a moment please?'

John's parents nodded and followed the Doctor, looking at each other anxiously.

'Is John OK?' Asked Maggie. 'I thought you said it was only a small fracture and that it would heal on its own with the sling in a few weeks.'

'Yes, yes, that's right,' Said the Doctor, 'But there's something else I want to talk about.'

He ushered Maggie and Den along the corridor and into a small office.

'Please, sit down.' he said. 'I want to discuss John's injuries.'

Den and Maggie looked at the Doctor, who sat across from them behind a mahogany desk.

'It was just an accident,' Said Maggie. 'He fell off the swing, he's always falling and hurting himself. He's an active lad.'

'I've looked through his notes, he's had quite a few accidents and fractures in the last year hasn't he.'

'As I said, he's an active lad', said Maggie, looking confused.

The Doctor rested his hands on the desk, leaning towards the couple. 'Well, I'm sorry to say that his numerous injuries have flagged him up as a possible victim of abuse, and we have had to report the matter to social services. John will be put on a watch, and if there are further injuries, then will have to take the matter further and involve the police!'

'What are you trying to say! Are you saying that we would hurt our son!' Den shouted at the Doctor.

'We would never hurt him. How dare you accuse us of that! We love him, I don't understand how you could think that! We're taking our son home. We're taking him home right now!'

Den and Maggie stood up, and marched out of the room, back to their son.

'Come on John, we're going home, right now!' Said Den hurriedly.

Maggie helped John to get dressed, being careful of his broken arm, the boy looked from his Mum to his Dad and back, confused.

'Mummy, why you cry? Daddy, why you angry? John is a good boy!'

'I'm sorry John', Said Maggie, drying her tears. 'You are a good boy. Mummy and Daddy are a bit sad, but it isn't about you.'

John hugged his Mother with his good arm. 'Smile Mummy and Daddy', he said, looking uncertainly at them.

Den gathered his son into his arms and the family walked out of the hospital, back to their family home.