The Wheels on the Bus

The man heaved a shudder of a breath then sighed and settled once more. I stroked a strand of his grey hair from his face, adjusted the tube feeding oxygen through to his nose, checked his drip and looked down at my watch hanging on my chest.

1:27pm. My shift was about to end. I exited the bay and headed toward the nurses station. I looked down the ward at a woman walking towards me. She looked harassed and lost. Her reddish hair appeared to be escaping from its lopsided restraints. It was cold out and her clothes were a mish-mash of layers.
She walked to me looking about her, frightened and upset.
"I'm here to see my dad – I had a phone call" she said her voice trembling.
"Are you Mr Peterson's daughter?" I asked knowing the answer, but checking just to be sure.
"Yes." She nodded, her eyes began to well up, "Is he…?"
She began to dither. I put my hand on her arm and smiled reassuringly.
"He's still here." She breathed a sigh of relief. However, I had to be honest with her. " He doesn't have much time. But he is comfortable, and in no pain." She nodded still upset.

I hated this part of the job. Telling people that their loved ones were not far from death, but it had to be done. "This way" I showed her to his bed where he was as I had left him a moment before. Peaceful. She sat in the chair next to his bed, taking his hand she gazed at him.
"Can I get you a cup of tea or anything?" I asked.
"Coffee. Please. No sugar." She replied, shedding her coat. Eyes never leaving her father.

I nodded and left them in peace. Walking back up the ward it was time for me to leave. I wished I could stay longer, but he had someone with him now and I would miss my bus if I waited any longer. I turned to my fellow lady in uniform, Grace.
"Grace, I'm due off now. Mr Peterson's daughter's just arrived. She'd like coffee, no sugar" I updated her.
"Okay. Thanks Emma. You get going I'll make sure Judith signs you off." She said giving her trademark warm smile.
"Marie is still in A bay with Mrs Jones. She'll give you hand over" I said putting on my coat.
"Alright, see you tomorrow Emma"
"Bye" I called after me as I left the ward.

I reached the stop minutes before the bus. I settled in my seat on the top floor of the double-decker and breathed.
I always enjoyed this part of my journey home. It was nearly an hour long bus trip to get to the town nearest to home, but it was peaceful. Just me, my music, and the world, whizzing by.

50 minutes later I got off the bus at the bottom of the small town. Looking again at my watch I knew I would have to hurry to catch my connecting bus.

I jogged up the high street and saw my bus at the stop. I was 20 feet when the driver out down his paper and turned the ignition. I ran and caught the doors.

The driver looked at his watch and smiled at me.
"With 10 seconds spare" I chuckled. I bought my tickets and found a seat. As near a 'STOP' button as I could find. Mine was an obscure stop in the countryside and I didn't want to miss it.

I had a feeling of being watched and looked out the window at the bus shelter. There was a young man looking at me with a slight smile. I felt myself blush a little and smiled back. At this response his face lit up in a grin. The bus began to pull and way, heaving itself into life, pulling us apart. I held his gaze until the last possible second craning to catch the last glimpse. He was still looking. The bus turned the corner and began to leave town to join the country lanes, and I felt tears prick my eyes.