The Great Fury Read Online Free Page B

the screens.
    Then Oengus heard John’s voice call, “Nurse!”
    The nurse arrived in practically an instant. Over her arm she had a long white hospital shirt. She went in behind the screens.
    â€œBreakfasts,” the first nurse said arriving with a trolley containing three trays.
    â€œHe wants to talk to Danu,” the nurse said coming out from behind the screens. “I told him to put something on.”
    As she spoke she pulled back the screens. John was sitting up in bed struggling into the long hospital shirt while maintaining his modesty with the blankets. He gave Oengus a smile but not until after he’d scowled at Beag.
    â€œAfter breakfast,” the first nurse said.
    Both nurses distributed the trays with breakfast.
    â€œYou must drink the juice first,” the first nurse instructed. “It’s a pick me up and very good for your injuries.”
    The nurse then departed.
    â€œYou beat me again,” Beag said to John, “I’ll give you that.”
    John just grunted and drank his juice.
    As Oengus sipped his juice he felt he’d burst with questions. Where was he and why and how did they get here and when could they go home? But he held his peace and ate his breakfast.
    It was good and he immediately began to feel well. By the time he was finished he was ready to jump out of bed.
    â€œI don’t know what they put in the juice but it sure gives a lift,” Beag said.
    â€œYou betcha,” John said, sliding out of bed. The white hospital shirt reached down to his ankles.
    Oengus realized that he himself was stark naked in the bed. He blushed.
    The first nurse came in, presumably detecting John’s movement.
    â€œJohn, please take a shower and get dressed. Your clothes are washed and ready.”
    â€œRight,” John said heading into the en-suite bathroom. The second nurse followed him in carrying his clean clothes on her arm.
    â€œPuca Beag!” the first nurse said sharply. “Shape shift into a fully dressed male adult this minute!”
    â€œAll buttons closed,” the nurse added as an afterthought.
    Startled by the sharpness of the tone of instruction, Beag did as he was told straight away and then slid out of the bed.
    â€œNow back on duty,” the nurse added, indicating to the door.
    Oengus watched in amazement. Beag now resembled the fishermen he would see on the dock in Dunquin, but maybe a little less tall.
    â€œSee you,” Beag said as he departed.
    â€œSure,” Oengus replied with uncertainty.
    The nurse stripped Beag’s bed and disappeared with the linen.
    Left alone Oengus just sat still. He wondered where his clothes were. The pain in his head had disappeared and he felt fit and ready to go. But he’d need his clothes.
    The second nurse came out of the bathroom with John fully dressed on one arm and the hospital shirt on the other.
    â€œYour uncle will be in the day room,” she said and led John away.
    â€œMy clothes?” Oengus managed.
    â€œWe’ll be back shortly and then the other nurse and I will get you ready,” she said as she went out and left Oengus alone again.
    â€œI’m Eifa and my colleague is Nilas,” the first nurse said as they came back into the room. Oengus had lain back down and was just chilling and waiting for something to happen.
    â€œFeeling fit?’ Eifa asked and began to unwind the bandage around Oengus’s head.
    â€œVery good,” Nilas said leaning in as Eifa finished. “Sit up please.”
    â€œMy clothes?” Oengus asked.
    Eifa smiled. “ Nilas, he says he wants clothes,” she said.
    â€œPity,” Nilas said with a grin.
    â€œAre you sure? It’s nice and warm in the hospital,” Eifa teased.
    Oengus could feel his face get red. “Please,” he said.
    Eifa went into the en-suite and came out with a large white towel.
    â€œWe’ll have your clothes ready after your shower. We need to measure