“Hypomania doesn’t last as long as a true manic episode. A few days, usually. If you can stay with Ludo, I’d be more comfortable letting him remain at home.”
“Where else would he go?”
“A residential unit, but he’d have to consent or be sectioned,andwe have the added difficulty that the local facility is full. The nearest bed right now is fifty miles away, and I’d rather not put him through that if we can avoid it.”
I’m unfairly surprised that she’s even asking me. Not because asking me to stay with Ludo is unreasonable, but because there’s no fucking question that I won’t. “I can stay. I was going to anyway.”
“Why?”
“Because I love him.”
Rita nods. “That’s what I thought, and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Ludo is such a sweet soul, hedeservesto be loved.”
“I know.”
Rita gives me leaflets and internet links and drills me on what to expect over the next few days. “We’ve given him an injection to calm him down and a prescription for a few doses of diazepam. Can you get to a pharmacy?”
My leg groans, but I nod. “Yeah.”
“Good. If he’s been marauding around for a few days, the shot should get him to sleep, but I’d prepare for a crash pretty soon after that. In the meantime, do your best to keep him fed and watered, and clean if you can. It’ll be awhile before he’s worried about things like that.”
I nod slowly. “Is that just him, or is it something that happens to everyone with hypomania?”
“There are some typical symptoms, but I’m quite familiar with Ludo’s nuances. He’s been stable for quite a while, but blips like this are, unfortunately, inevitable. We just need to keep him safe until it passes.”
“I’ll keep him safe.”
“I know you will.”
Rita takes me downstairs and explains what’s happening to Ludo. He listens, but I don’t think he hears. Already, his lightning fast gaze has slowed, and he’s glancing around the living room as though he can’t remember where he is.
I move closer to him, within arm’s reach if he needs me. After a moment, his arm snakes around my leg and he rests his head against my thigh. I weave my hand into his messy hair and stroke the back of his neck.I’ve got you.
Rita and Dr Dennis—who, to my knowledge, spoke less than three words the entire time he was here—leave. I shut the door behind them and return to the living room.
Ludo is sitting on the floor, still filthy from his forest adventures. “I’ve fucked it up, haven’t I?
“Fucked what up?”
“Everything. I never wanted you to see me like this.”
I want to crouch in front of him, but my leg won’t play, so I sit on the coffee table instead. “You’ve seen me with a tube in my chest, throwing chunks all down myself.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“You were hurt. It wasn’t your fault.”
“This isn’t your fault, mate.”
“It is. I think I missed some lithium doses.”
“So? That might’ve been because you were getting ill and you didn’t know. I’ve got leaflets, and it legit says that can happen in one of them.”
I’m deadly fucking serious, but something I’ve said makes Ludo smile... just a touch. A tiny flash of light in the shadows of his haunted face. “Leaflets?”
“Yup.”
