A SEX THERAPIST, POP SINGER AND A BANKER WALK INTO A HOSPITAL ROOM...

A hospital blog

Hipgnosis

Dear Readers,

Until now, I have been shielded from the costs of disability because of our wonderful and vital NHS. This will change when I get home due to the considerable costs of remodelling the house, and my need for round the clock care.

I ask, therefore, that if you enjoy The Kureishi Chronicles, believe in paying for good writing, and want to help with my recovery, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

I wish nothing in my world had changed. But there have been interesting alterations. One of those has been my relationships with the women in my life, who have come to care for me in a more intimate and extended way.

When I first had my accident, and was in Rome, and then in the two London hospitals, I hated to be alone at all, and I had many visitors; family, friends, acquaintances and people I have worked with. But some relationships developed in ways I could never have anticipated, just as my demands for tenderness and friendship have developed. One friend, Miss Y, comes in at least once a week, though she has her own family, and she brings me food, massages my hands, and we spend hours together, talking about politics, dreams, schools, Shakespeare and anything else that occurs to us. She and I have been friends for years - I taught her writing at one point - but later would only meet occasionally to exchange information about our lives. Now I need much more from her as well as from other people, and I have received it, with additions.