'Left past the red lifts, then through the curtain, OK? ’ br br And there you were - br propped up on a bed of white pillows. br You looked so well br (and naked too under the hospital gown) br ‘Hel-lo’ br (that familiar upward inflection) br No one says ‘hello’ quite like you. br br The nurse looking after you br was pregnant br and dressed in purple. br She did your obs, br and checked your groin - br neatly shaved and Betadined. br Then she sat you in the chair beside the bed. br 'You can get him dressed in fifteen minutes'. br br I knelt before you and held your beautiful hands, br smiling - as I noticed br your dangly bits peeping br (like a pair of ripe plums) br beneath the gown. br br ‘For Chrissake. Give me my bloody underpants? ’ br br br To be continued...