For most of the first day I was in the CCU the curtains were drawn across the side of my bed. Being the end bed I was therefore shut off from the rest of the ward. I heard stuff and saw little. When I arrived the curtains were open and an out going patient gave me the TV remote as if it was a talisman or baton of power. He told me to keep it away from the grumpy guy in the end bed. He was an old looking guy restive and animated. His family and there were lots of them, came at every opportunity.
Then the curtains were drawn across my end of the ward and for most of the day and all the night all I had was this gap of light. Only a view of the door to a room the nurses and doctors entered only after donning a disposable apron and gloves. Someone in there was Alice. I never saw Alice, but on entering the staff all looked concerned and very often made some encouraging remark as they pushed the door open. They went in and out often. I was concerned for Alice. For all the cleanliness white walls, and objective attitude the timeless lord of the here-after and sickle-wielder was stalking the wards for new recruits.
After a night of confusing noises, waking but not waking, and finally waking to a strange environment, I later, almost 24hrs later, realised someone had left us that night.