“Fred, let me stop you right there,” Stone said. “I’m going to have to side with Helene on this. You are on paid medical leave until you receive clearance from your doctor.”
Helene cleared her throat.
“And your wife.”
“That’s quite generous but not necessary,” Fred said. “I’ve been hurt worse and still done what was needed of me.”
“You’re not in the Royal Marines anymore,” Stone said. “So, it is unnecessary to soldier on despite your condition. Besides, do you really think you’ll be able to drive with that on your foot?”
A soft cast covered his right foot and went halfway up his calf.
“I can remove it whenever I want,” Fred said. “The doctor said it’s merely precautionary.”
Helene huffed. “Your doctor said no such thing.”
“What didn’t I say?” asked the doctor, who just entered the room. To Stone, he looked as if he was barely out of medical school.
“Please tell my husband he is crazy if he thinks he is going back to work tomorrow.”
The doctor looked at Fred, amused. “You think you can go back to work tomorrow?”
“I’m already starting to feel better,” Fred said. “I don’t see why it should be a problem.”
“What exactly is it you do, Mr. Flicker?”
“He is my factotum,” Stone said.
“Your what?”
“My factotum.”
A light went on in the doctor’s eyes. “You mean like a jack-of-all-trades?”
“Close enough.”
“I’ve only seen that word in books. I’ve never heard anyone say it out loud before.” The doctor looked back at Fred. “I’m afraid that you’ll be spending a few more nights with us, and for ten days after you’ll be home but with no factotum duties, and then only light work.”
“What about driving?” Helene asked. “I know my Fred. He will consider that light work if you don’t tell him specifically it is not.”
“No driving for a month,” the doctor said.
“A month?” Fred said. “That seems unreasonable.”
“If you wanted to drive sooner, you should have sprained your left ankle instead of your right.”
“He’s got you there,” Stone said. “Don’t worry, Doctor. Helene and I will make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t.”
“If only all my patients had such supportive families and employers.”
The doctor spent a few minutes checking Fred over, proclaimed everything was as it should be, then left to continue his rounds.
“I should be on my way, too,” Stone said.
“Before you go, I was thinking that if you need a driver, Fred’s niece is arriving tonight,” Helene suggested.
Fred brightened. “That’s right. I’m sure Alicia would be willing to fill in during my absence. She’s my sister’s daughter.”
“Does she have chauffeur experience?” Stone asked.
