Tony arrived at the hospital by taxi approaching the reception desk with a huge amount of apprehension, not knowing the state in which he would find his old friend of many years. They had shared a good relationship spanning decades and apart from occasional niggles, both had remained healthy - until now. He was shocked to hear the news, trying to keep himself calm enough to deal with any matters associated with Harry's sudden heart attack. It was an extremely worrying development and as yet he had no idea as to its outcome. His own heart was pounding with fury, within his chest, legs feeling weak beneath him.
After chatting with a nurse passing the reception desk, he had been informed that Harry was out of intensive care and needing to stay the night so they could keep a close eye on him. The problem wasn't life threatening, as it first appeared, having been a serious heart murmur instead, thus creating his collapse in a shop earlier. His heartbeat had been very irregular, but they had managed to get things under control and stabilize him. Tony was enormously relieved, but remained seriously worried. He was allowed to see Harry, although only briefly.
'Hello you old devil.' He sometimes used this term of endearment when things would take a turn for the worst between them. 'You know you've given me a heck of a shake up - frightened the life out of me actually, but how are you feeling now?'
Harry managed a weak smile and screwed up his face briefly. 'Surviving!'
'Thank God for that! I did worry about you earlier today, not feeling well and all that. Guess that was some sort of warning of things to come. I'm glad it wasn't any worse.'
'Yeah, I think it may have been. But it didn't last long. I'm afraid I'll be here overnight though.'
Tony sat down beside the bed and pulled the chair closer towards his friend.
'That's possibly a good thing. At least they'll keep an eye on you. How did anyone know where you were staying?'
Harry sighed and thought for a moment before answering. 'Think I passed out or collapsed and the shop attendant rang for the ambulance or medics to come. They checked my pockets after I arrived at the hospital and recognized the key card of the hotel. Evidently it's not at all serious like they first thought. There was talk about an operation, before I got the all clear - thank goodness.'
'I'm pleased things aren't more serious, but glad you are here for the night. Perhaps you need to rest for now. I'm only allowed a short stay. I'll return in the morning if I'm allowed.'
Harry nodded and thanked Tony for coming. 'Have a beer on me tonight, won't you?'
'I bet you'll have to refrain from drinking for a while, until things settle down,' he suggested before leaving. Then heard a low groan from the bed before he waved goodbye to his old chum.
After eating a little supper he didn't really enjoy in a small restaurant in the center of town, Tony returned alone to the hotel for the remainder of the night, his thoughts troubled and scattered to the wind.
Lausanne was bustling with life on a sunny autumnal morning as he made his way to the hospital once again, still apprehensive not quite knowing what to expect. Upon arrival, Harry was up and dressed, sitting in a chair beside the bed. He was looking his old self again with a more colour in his cheeks and smiled when Tony walked in.
'Ah! It's you again. Come to take me out of here I hope.'
Tony was surprised at first and gave a brief laugh. 'So they'll allow you this great privilege, will they?'
'Looks like it. Nothing whatsoever wrong with me,' Harry replied. 'Just need to check out in about half an hour and get a few instructions, and we can leave.'
Tony was delighted at the outcome, feeling huge relief, but frowned briefly. 'Are you sure?'
'Quite sure. Apart from that slight blip, all is tickety-boo!'
As they waited for a taxi back to the hotel, Harry said he was relieved he had taken out travel insurance. 'That sure put my mind at rest. At our age you never know.'
Tony agreed. 'At any age really. It's always a safe bet, no matter what. When I went skiing in the Alps, ended up with a broken leg. Wasn't my fault of course, but some idiot was out of control and mowed a few people down, including me. Didn't much care to spend my time in a French hospital instead of out on the sunny slopes of Val d'Isere. But, c'est la vie! It could have been a huge expense if not for travel insurance.'
'Hmm...I don't remember that. What shall we do today?' Harry asked earnestly, suddenly changing the subject.
'What? Shouldn't you be resting or something? At least for today. After all, you've just come from the hospital?'
Harry shrugged. 'Not really. As long as I take it easy for a while and not overexert myself, that's all.'
'How long is a while?' Tony asked frowning. He wasn't absolutely in agreement with Harry's carefree attitude.
'Oh, a day or two.'
Tony thought for a moment. 'We could take a boat trip on the lake if you feel up to it?'
'That sounds like a good idea. How do we get down to the lake?'
His friend hesitated before answering. 'I read a brochure in the hotel last night. There's a train that is not far away. We can try that if you like. Would you not feel out of breath with the effort?'
'Not at all! Let's have a coffee in the hotel first, Harry suggested. The restaurant on the ground floor is always open.'
They found the train station and the Metro line 2 that would take them in the right direction. After they boarded the train, Tony asked if Harry had noticed anything a bit unusual. When he shook his head, Tony glanced towards the front of the train where there was no special compartment. 'No driver!' he said with a grin.
Harry's head turned sharply so he could look in the same direction. 'Good grief!'
'It's fully automated,' laughed Tony. 'Imagine that in London, Paris or Rome? There'd be utter chaos!'
'It may not be that far away. Already loads of other things are becoming automated without humans intervening,' Harry remarked. 'Check in at the airports and check out at the supermarket for example. Imagine how things will be after we are long gone? All to save money and less jobs to be paid. Don't think I want to be around to see it either.'
After arriving close to Lac Leman, or Lake Geneva as some called it, they found there was a boat trip on an old paddle steamer, a huge vessel built more than a hundred years ago, that was leaving for a trip around part of the eastern end of the lake.
'What incredible timing!' Tony remarked clearly delighted. What do you think Harry, shall we take the plunge? Do you feel well enough? You mustn't exert yourself either - that's important.'
'Absolutely! I wouldn't miss this for the world. What a beauty she is, and such character for an old girl. Just look at her long sleek lines and the bowsprit proudly protruding at the front! Her stern is pretty shapely too.'
Tony felt like a child for a moment. In fact they both did. 'It's great they have kept her in such good working order,' he added, a wide grin extended on his animated face. 'Wonder if we could manage a photo on this smart phone thing? I was having a practice recently. Not that difficult really. Just tap this and that and hey presto! Very clever they are, for such a tiny lens.'
Harry chuckled. 'It would be fun to look back on after we return home, don't you think? I'll try and crack it too. If so many other people can use them, so can we,' he added hopefully, diving into his pocket and smiling at the thought. Some natural pink had returned to his cheeks and he was looking much better. 'Everywhere you go these days, people are playing around with these things. Got their nose into them constantly, fiddling with this and that. Even in the train just now, a whole row of all ages playing with these gadgets, not paying attention to anything around them. Must be all this social media stuff. What's good for the goose...!' He laughed then. 'Well alright, perhaps we might prove to be a bit hypocritical one of these days.'
They gladly paid for their tickets, deciding on first class as it would probably be a one-off trip anyway, and were able to go on board, marveling at the way the lovely old paddles were kept. Their exterior was freshly painted in a suitable pale colour. Any brass fittings were also kept well polished and clean. The old timer gently rocked to and fro, as several other people joined them before setting off on what they believed would be a memorable occasion. Waves lapped her prow causing a rhythmic motion of calmness and stability, the lake making its presence felt languishing gently under the huge sleek hull. A soft breeze was blowing, playing through the upper deck ropes and seating. The restaurant area appeared to be toward the stern, while her timbered decks were graced with seating and leisure areas. A French flag fluttered high on a flag pole near the bow, the breeze tugging it outwards, while the Swiss flag hung proudly from the rear. The constant rocking motion of the beautifully built paddle steamer felt gently soothing as the seats began filling.
'Are you sure you'll be alright Harry?'
'Yes, yes...now don't you worry. All will be well I assure you. Let's enjoy this lovely old vessel. Don't think I've seen anything quite like her.'
Tony was still a little apprehensive, needing to keep a close eye on his old friend as much as possible.
They took their seats inside on an upper deck, with a good view over the lake. The captain and adequate crew were busy preparing for their departure, in the throes of checking all was well before setting out across the lake.
La Suisse as the paddle boat was called, pulled away from the jetty, making her way out into the watery depths, a huge churned up spray swishing underneath as she glided like a graceful swan across the surface. They were heading back to Chateau Chillon taking a few hours there and back, so lunch would be enjoyed on the steamer. Later they noted the beautifully fitted bar gleamed with wood paneling, the large engines obvious for all to see as the enormous pistons drove the paddles.
After they arrived at the lunch table another couple possibly in their sixties, joined them, introducing themselves until eventually it became evident the husband was vaguely descended from somewhere in Richard III's family. Harry in particular was most interested because of the book he had begun and started asking a few subtle questions, unwilling to pry too deeply. The couple lived in London and Edward had painstakingly traced his family tree and ancestors over many years. His wife Elizabeth always supportive, found her lineage was also of historic value. It seemed an unusual turn of events, but nonetheless, the four spent an engrossing conversation over lunch. The food was delicious and well presented. Even Tony's interest was stimulated after a time, as in the past his historic interest never amounted to much. The discussions remained intriguing, all four sharing a lovely bottle of merlot wine as the steamer churned her way across Lake Geneva to Chillon.
The mountains surrounding the lake looked majestic, even quietly mysterious in tones of hazy blue with some still white-capped from the previous winter.
After disembarking, the two men decided to see more of the medieval castle, concentrating on areas not seen before. Tony didn't want Harry to over-exert himself and encouraged him to rest often. They found a room displaying several old pieces of furniture, but again Harry was eager to find anything medieval - which he did. The coffers were solidly made with low, heavy iron fastenings.
The main courtyard of four was the largest and grandest of the communal areas, called The Courtyard of Honour and from there it was possible to stroll through both interior and exterior passageways, several of which overlooked other areas of exceptional interest. The architecture, although a slight mixture of extra building work carried out through the centuries, the main part of the castle was 13th century. The exterior part of the castle facing the lake didn't have any fortified defenses as did the section facing the mainland. It was peppered with arrow holes and battlements designed to protect against any approaching enemy. Harry's imagination drifted back to the days of the counts and subsequently dukes of Savoy when they wandered into Saint-George's chapel, privately used in medieval times by the castle's specific occupants. Parts of the castle displayed its gothic grandeur, but soon it was time to board the enchanting old paddle steamer for the return voyage back to Lausanne.
It had definitely been a memorable day, both men will savour in their endeavour to enjoy the remainder of their lives.
Over supper that night, Harry knew what must be uppermost in Tony's mind. There was nothing for it but accept the inevitable. It was necessary to return to the United Kingdom without any serious mishaps on his behalf.
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