Post by Liz on Jun 18, 2005 15:07:48 GMT -5
TITLE: Fools Rush In
AUTHOR: Liz
DISCLAIMER: The characters are sadly not mine. Wish Karl was!
SPOILERS: No
SUMMARY: My take on Karl's heart attack. Written proir to the heart attack episodes
Part One
Karl stared at the television and wondered yet again how he could have been so foolish. He had been a complete and utter fool and he knew that now. A couple of tears made their way down Karl’s cheeks as he rewound the tape. He was watching a video. But this wasn’t any old video. On it was his supposed girlfriend Izzy confessing that the baby she had lost had never been Karl’s. It had in fact belonged to Gus Cleary.
How could I have been so stupid? Karl thought bitterly. How could I have let her take me for a ride like that? God I really believed the baby was mine all this time. Izzy’s been lying to me ever since we first got together…
He remembered that Izzy had declined his affections and then suddenly the next day she’d come racing back wanting to be with him. It all suddenly made horrible sense. Izzy had known she was pregnant when she’d come to see him. She’d known all along. That meant Izzy had never shared his affections. She’d only wanted him to be a father.
Oh god. So that’s why she changed her mind so quickly. I don’t believe this.
Fury rose up in Karl. He felt himself shaking with anger and knew that he had to calm down. What good would it do? Izzy wasn’t here, she was most likely with her so called business partner Paul Robinson. And Karl could bet that it was Robinson who left the tape here for him to see.
An ache started crawling its way up Karl’s arm and Karl rubbed his arm puzzled as to where it could have come from. Sighing, he decided to have a lie down. Perhaps it would make him feel better but Karl doubted it somewhat. It wouldn’t rid him of this terrible hurt he felt. As Karl began to stand up, shooting pain ripped through his body especially around his chest. Karl collapsed back onto the sofa, unable to stand.
What is wrong with me? He asked himself. Come on figure this out. You’re a doctor for Christ’s sake.
Suddenly Karl lurched forward, grabbing his shirt. He knew exactly what was wrong with him. All the signs were there. Karl tried to reach for the phone but he only succeeded in causing himself further agony. He was now having trouble breathing. Somebody help me! He thought despairingly. Please just help….
Those were his last thoughts before everything turned to black.
Susan Smith watched Izzy Hoyland talk to Paul Robinson in the make shift Coffee shop. Izzy was flirting, Susan was sure of it. But then that didn’t really surprise Susan. However she was a little surprised at Paul. Surely Paul knew Izzy was with Karl? Susan shook her head. This wasn’t really any of her business. Karl and Izzy’s relationship was complicated to say the least. Still Susan couldn’t help but wonder whether Karl knew of Izzy and Paul’s close ‘friendship’.
Suddenly Izzy came over to Susan. Susan glared at her. Ever since Izzy had left Karl at the altar, Susan had really loathed her. There weren’t many people that Susan detested but Izzy was one of them. What she had done to Karl was wrong and if Susan had had her way, she’d have made sure that ‘Jezebel’ stayed far away from Karl Kennedy.
As Izzy approached her, Susan couldn’t help but ask. “ Isabelle, I thought Karl was supposed to be with you.”
Izzy panicked. Did Susan know something? “ He will be joining me later.” She answered hurriedly. Izzy did not want Susan to know about her secret liaison with Paul Robinson. Izzy had never met a man so different…so deliciously tempting. Paul was so different to Karl. For one thing, Paul was so laid back and easy going that Izzy didn’t feel worried about anything when she was with him. And the way Paul made her feel when he touched her…that was something else all together. But Izzy could not help but feel guilty that she was cheating on Karl. Karl Kennedy was a good man, Izzy knew, and he certainly did not deserve to be cheated on. Yet Izzy couldn’t help herself. Paul Robinson was far too intriguing and sexy.
Susan raised an eyebrow. “ I take it Karl knows about your close friendship with Paul?”
“ Of course he does.” Izzy snapped. “ Look Susan I know you’re concerned but you needn’t be. I love Karl and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.”
“ Ha.” Susan replied sarcastically. “ So leaving him at the altar doesn’t count as hurting him then?”
Izzy said nothing. She should have known Susan would have used that against her. And who could blame her really? Izzy still felt bad about that. “ Yeah well….that’s in the past.” Izzy finally managed to say.
“ I’m so glad that you can forget about it just like that.” Susan answered coldly. “ I don’t know perhaps Karl feels differently.”
“ He’s forgiven me.” Izzy said, growing annoyed. “ Now if you’ve finished yelling at me, what would you like to order?”
“ I don’t think I want to.” Susan replied, getting up. She started to walk away but then turned to Izzy. “ Isabelle, I would watch your step if I were you. Karl doesn’t like to be toyed with.” And with that Susan walked out of the Coffee shop, leaving Izzy flabbergasted.
“ Hey, what was all that about?” Paul sidled up beside Izzy.
Izzy turned to Paul. “ Oh Susan was just telling me yet again how I’m not good enough for Karl.”
“ Hmm.” Paul smiled. “ Well I’d have to disagree with that. You, Ms Hoyland, are certainly good enough. It is the good doctor that isn’t good enough for you. You deserve far better.” He leaned down towards Izzy.
Izzy smiled. “ You think?”
“ Oh I definitely think.” Paul said, and the two of them descended into a kiss.
She knew she shouldn’t but yet Susan felt that Karl needed to know about Izzy and Paul. Susan was reminded of the other day when Karl had voiced some concerns about Paul. Susan had simply told him to stop being petty but she had no idea that Izzy and Paul were…well she didn’t know what they were. Susan hadn’t actually seen the two of them do anything other then harmless flirting. That proved nothing.
Still Susan felt she had an obligation to tell Karl. She didn’t know why. After all she and Karl were not married anymore, they hadn’t been for a year now.
Karl left me. He hurt me and it took me a long time to get over him. So why am I doing this? Why should I tell Karl? He deserves it.
Although she thought this, her heart did not agree with her. Somewhere deep down, Susan still loved Karl and she always would. The thought of him being hurt was horrible and Susan didn’t want that for him. She arrived at Karl’s flat and walked up to the doorway. It was strange in some ways that Karl lived in his own flat. Sometimes Susan missed Karl’s company in Number 28. It was after all the house that Karl had brought.
Susan shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She knocked on the door and waited. She could hear the TV on although she couldn’t quite make out what was on. After several minutes, Susan knocked again. She was puzzled. It sounded like Karl was in. So why was he not answering the door?
“ Karl.” Susan called. “ Karl, it’s me.”
Yet Karl still did not come to the door. Susan was perplexed. She could hear the TV on and she knew Karl would not go out leaving the TV on. He’d always hated wasting electricity. He’d complained so many times during their marriage. He often yelled at Mal for leaving the lights on when he was not in a room. So it didn’t make sense that Karl would leave the TV on. Unless he was in the shower, Susan thought.
Susan turned to go. Obviously Karl was doing something or avoiding her. If that was the case, then Susan really couldn’t be bothered. Sometimes Karl could act so stupidly. Perhaps he was mad at her for saying he was petty. Susan shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Karl would be mad at her for that. However something in her head told her to go into his apartment. Well if Karl wasn’t going to turn off his TV, she might as well. Susan tried the door to check that it wasn’t locked and it wasn’t. Why did Karl never lock his door?
Susan pushed open the door and walked in. The lights were still on, the TV was on, and Karl’s briefcase was on the table. He was obviously here. Then as she looked down, her eyes widened in shock. There, lying on the floor was her ex husband.
“ KARL!“ Susan exclaimed, rushing to him. Her heart was racing. What was he doing on the floor? Susan knelt down and looked at him. His expression told it all. Something had happened to him. Susan became worried instantly. This was serious. Karl’s face was as white as a sheet and she couldn’t see any sign of him breathing. She checked for a pulse and she could barely feel it. It was there but very faint.
“ Karl, Karl, can you hear me?” She asked. But it was obvious that he was unconscious. Tears began to well up in Susan’s eyes. In all the thirty years she’d known Karl, she had never once seen him like this. Susan was paralysed with fear. What should she do? She knew she needed to call the ambulance. Grabbing the phone, Susan dialled the number in panic.
“ Yes hello?” Susan said when she heard someone answer. “ Please you have to help. My husband’s collapsed, he’s barely breathing.” She didn’t notice that she hadn’t used ‘ex husband.’
“ Okay, we’ll send an ambulance round right away. Where are you?” The operator asked.
“ 42 Kingwood I think. It’s a block of apartments, near Ramsey Street.” Susan replied.
“ All right, we’ll be there as soon as we can.” The operator answered and instructed Susan on what she should do. Susan took all this in, trying to remain calm but she couldn’t. She was frightened. Karl looked like he was near death. Susan put the phone down shortly afterwards and just held Karl’s head in her lap.
“ Oh Karl.” She said sadly. “ What’s happened to you?”
Susan looked up at the TV and was surprised to see Izzy on the screen. Susan gently removed the remote control from Karl’s hand and pressed play.
“ My confession is that….well….” Izzy stuttered. “ I was pregnant last year and unfortunately I lost it. Ironic really when you think about it. I had never really wanted to be a mother but when I lost my baby, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But that’s not my secret. My secret is that the baby I had was not actually Karl Kennedy’s. It was Gus’ Cleary’s child . I didn’t want Gus to be the father of my baby so I went to Karl and told him that I loved him and then a few days later I told him I was pregnant with his child.”
Susan stared at the TV in absolute horror. She gazed back down at Karl again and her heart broke when she realised that Karl must have collapsed after watching this. In that moment Susan had never felt such contempt for any person in her life. Isabelle Hoyland truly was a nasty piece of work and she had really gone too far this time. Karl was lying here in agony while she flirted with Paul Robinson.
Susan just hoped that the doctors at the hospital would be able to save her beloved Karl.
Izzy smiled as Paul pulled her close to him. God, she hadn’t felt so naughty in such a long time. She had missed that part of her life. It was not to say that she hadn’t enjoyed settling down with Karl because she had in a way. Karl had made her feel loved and cared for which Izzy was unused to. But she was quite simply bored of that now and wanted something a little more exciting, more fast paced. That was exactly what Paul Robinson was for. Izzy didn’t believe she could ever love Paul. The nearest she’d ever come to loving another man was probably Karl but she was finding it difficult to commit to him. Unlike Karl, Paul wouldn’t care if she just wanted a fling. He would just let her do what she wanted and that felt so good.
“ What are you thinking Izzy?” Paul asked her.
“ Nothing much.” Izzy responded. The two of them were back in the sauna in the gym. After nearly being caught by Boyd, the two of them had been careful for a while. But since Izzy knew that Boyd was too busy doing other things in the gym, she decided to take a chance. Paul had even said he didn’t care if they were caught.
“ I hope you’re not thinking of lover boy back home.” Paul said. “ Karl won’t know where we are. Besides I don’t think he’d care.”
“ I know that. I wasn’t even thinking of him.” Izzy replied. “ And I think he would care Paul.”
Paul smiled devilishly. “ I seriously doubt it.”
Izzy noticed the smile on his face and she became suspicious. “ Why? What have you said to him?”
“ Oh I haven’t said anything. It’s more of what he’s seen.” Paul said lightly.
Izzy felt fear rising up. “ You mean he’s seen us….?” She trailed off.
“ No, not us. The tape.” Paul grinned and Izzy stared in horror. That tape had her confessing about the baby. Izzy couldn’t breathe and she glared at Paul.
“ You set that tape up in Karl’s flat didn’t you?” She asked. Paul just gave her a smile.
“ Why, I’m offended you even thought it was anyone else.” He cracked but one look on Izzy’s face wiped the smile off his face. “ What’s wrong Isabelle? Cat got your tongue?”
“ As a matter of fact it has.” Izzy retorted. “ I can’t believe you would do this! You promised you wouldn’t destroy my relationship with Karl!”
“ Ah I said I wouldn’t tell him about our little rendezvous’ but I didn’t promise not to say anything about the baby.” Paul replied. “ Look Izzy, you don’t love Karl, you never have. Why are you so bothered?”
“ I do love Karl.” Izzy insisted. “ I can’t believe this.” She got up off the bench and began to walk out.
“ Where are you going my sweet Isabelle?” Paul asked innocently.
Izzy turned around and her face said it all. “ I’m going to find Karl. We’re finished Paul.”
Paul finally looked annoyed. “ What? This is ridiculous.”
“ No I’ll tell you what’s ridiculous. This. This flirting and all this playing around. I’ve had enough of it Paul. I may be tempted by you but I’m going to stay away from you from now on. You don’t come near me all right?”
And with that Izzy stormed out of the sauna. Paul grinned widely. So she had said she wouldn’t come back to him but he knew she would.
Give it time. She’ll be back. Isabelle wants me and she knows it. However I have my eye on someone else…Lilijana.
Paul slowly rose and walked out of the sauna, feeling pretty pleased with himself. He had done someone a huge favour. It was time for Darcy Tyler to play Paul Robinson back.
Susan watched tearfully as the paramedics lifted Karl onto a stretcher. They had said he was suffering a heart attack and could go into cardiac arrest at any time. It was too much for Susan. Karl had always been healthy, always knew how to take care of himself as he was a doctor. It had never occurred to Susan that he would actually have a heart attack. But now he was. She watched as they loaded Karl into the ambulance. She saw that they were getting to work on him straight away.
“ Madam, are you coming?” One of the paramedics asked and Susan nodded.
“ Yes, yes of course.” Susan answered shakily and climbed into the back of the ambulance. She sat down and looked down at Karl who had a mask over his face and tubes were being connected to him. It was horrific.
Oh Karl, why has this happened to you? You didn’t deserve this! I always knew that Izzy would make you ill and now she has. Oh god Karl….
As the ambulance pulled away from the block of flats, Susan watched the paramedics operate on Karl. She heard the siren being turned on and that only frightened her further. The siren always meant that someone was in serious need of medical attention. This time it was Karl. Susan realised that she would have to phone the children. What would she say to them? For the first time in her life, Susan had no idea of what she would say. How could she break their children’s hearts and tell them that their father was suffering from a serious heart attack?
It occurred to Susan then that she’d never asked whether Karl would survive. As she thought that, tears began to course down her cheeks. If Karl didn’t pull through…that was not worth thinking about. Susan tried to pull herself together. Karl had to come through otherwise Susan didn’t know if she’d ever cope. And the children…well they’d be stripped of a father.
Come on Karl, you can’t do this to the children. They love you so much that they depend on you. I…depend on you. As much as I have tried to stop loving you, I can’t and I never will. We’re two halves of a whole don’t you know that? If you die, then I will too inside. So you can’t die Karl Kennedy because that would be really selfish of you. And I love you. I don’t care if you don’t love me. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you get well.
One of the paramedics noticed Susan’s shell shocked expression and said, “ Don’t worry, your husband has a full chance of pulling through.”
“ Is there a danger he could have another heart attack?” Susan asked. She knew the risks. After all she had been married to a doctor for nearly thirty years. How could she not know?
“ Unfortunately your husband has had a very serious heart attack. We don’t quite know the extent of it but it may be likely that he could have another one. However many people have pulled through from this type of attack.”
Susan felt numb. Karl could have another one? Karl was strong, Susan knew that, but two heart attacks? She didn’t know anyone who could survive that. Even Karl wasn’t that strong.
“ So basically you’re telling me my husband’s fighting for his life?” Susan responded, devastated.
“ Everyone that has a heart attack will fight for their life.” The paramedic said softly. “ I’m so sorry.”
Susan just nodded her thanks. She felt sick. Karl was hanging on by a thread. It was the most scariest experience that the Kennedys had ever been through.
The ambulance eventually arrived at the hospital. It felt like the longest ride of Susan’s life. The paramedics quickly lifted Karl onto a gurney and rushed him towards the hospital. Susan had to almost run to keep up with them. They entered the hospital and some doctors came running up. Susan recognised some of them. They were Karl’s colleagues.
“ My god, is that Dr Kennedy?” One asked.
“ Yes it is.” Another replied. “ What’s the situation here?”
“ Serious heart attack.” The paramedic replied. “ We need to get him into theatre.”
The doctors nodded and then the doctors took hold of the gurney and started wheeling it down to the main theatre. Susan walked with them. She knew she couldn’t go with him for much longer but she wanted to stay with Karl as long as she could.
“ I know you’ll make it Karl.” Susan whispered to him. “ You have to. For your children. For your patients. For me.”
Then the doctors reached the main doors of the theatre. “ I am sorry Ms Smith but you can’t enter here.”
“ I know.” Susan nodded. “ Just….just make him better.” She said tearfully. “ I can’t lose him.”
“ We can’t afford to lose him either. Dr Kennedy is one of the finest doctors here.” The doctor said. “ I promise we’ll try our best.”
“ Please.” Susan answered tearfully and then just like that the doctors were gone behind the doors with her Karl. She then turned away and suddenly the tears came. Susan stood alone, crying and waiting for news of her beloved Karl.
Hours later and Susan was still in the hospital and there was no sign of Karl. Susan tried not to panic but she couldn’t help it. They were taking an awful long time and she didn’t even want to think what was going on in there. Susan had phoned Libby, Mal and Billy to tell them the awful news. All three had been devastated. Libby and Mal had both said that they would head down to Erinsborough straight away. Billy had wanted to come but he was forced to stay for Anne’s sake as she was quite ill.
Tears still coursed down Susan’s cheeks. She hadn’t been able to stop crying for quite a while. It hurt too much to think of Karl in surgery. Whatever she and Karl had been through…Susan had never even dreamt of this. And she knew that he didn’t love her but that didn’t stop her from loving him. Susan had never really stopped loving Karl. She’d tried so hard to especially after the separation for example Tom Scully. Susan had tried to love him. She had liked him she really had but he wasn’t and he could never be Karl Kennedy. Susan felt like she’d been married to Karl all her life and to change to a different man now at this stage was too hard. Karl Kennedy was in her heart. She had been absolutely devastated when Karl had confessed he didn’t love her anymore. It had left her feeling so worthless, like she was nothing to him. Normally Susan hated self pity but at that time, she hadn’t been able to help it. What were you supposed to feel when your husband of thirty years left you?
“ Mum!” Susan looked up and saw Libby and Libby’s son Ben walking towards her. Susan smiled, grateful to see some friendly faces.
“ Oh Lib darling. I’m so glad you’re here.” Susan answered. “ How did you get here so quickly?”
“ I took the train.” Libby said tearfully. She looked at Susan and Susan could see the tears in her eyes and knew Libby was very worried about her father. Libby and Karl had often been at loggerheads with each other but it was very clear that Libby adored her father. “ Any news about Dad?” Libby asked.
Susan shook her head. “ He’s still in theatre. Oh Libby….” The two of them embraced and Libby felt the strong urge to cry but she did not. She had to be strong for her mother and perhaps for herself too. If she thought her father would die then Libby would lose it and that was not what she wanted to do.
Susan drew back from Libby and sighed. “ I know that operations on a heart attack are hard but what is taking them so long?” She looked desperately at the doors that led to the theatre. There was no sign.
“ You know Dad would know that.” Libby remarked. “ Oh god how can this happen to him? I knew Isabelle was a lying cheating cow. I just never imagined she could do this to Dad. I can’t believe she lied about the baby. She made Dad grieve and everything! I just want to….” She left the sentence unfinished. Susan knew exactly what Libby wanted to do to Izzy for she felt the same way.
Suddenly the doors to the operating room swung open and in came the doctor. Susan almost ran up to him in panic. Libby joined her.
“ Please tell me.” Susan said. “ Has Karl survived?”
“ Good news. We have managed to stabilise Dr Kennedy. It was indeed a very serious heart attack and we will need to take him through to intensive care as we need to watch him in the next few days. There is a very real possibility that he may well suffer another one.”
Susan had heard this before so it wasn’t so much of a shock but she was still very frightened for Karl. “ Can we see him?” She asked tearfully.
“ In a while yes. We just need to take him through. Be warned though. He is still out of it.” The doctor said.
Susan nodded. “ Thank you.” She replied. “ Thank you for saving him.”
The doctor simply smiled. “ I don’t think it was us. I think Dr Kennedy fought through. After all he is one of the best doctors we’ve got. He probably knew he had to survive because it is very costly to replace a doctor like him.”
Susan laughed weakly. “ Oh he’d hate the thought that his death was expensive. Karl’s always been tight with money.”
As they talked, the doors swung open again and Libby saw her Dad being carried through. He had a mask over his face to help him breathe and Libby had never seen him look so ill. He was deathly white. A sob escaped out of Libby as she saw him. She ran up to the gurney and looked down at her Dad. Susan followed swiftly behind.
“ Daddy.” Libby whispered emotionally. “ Oh Dad.” She was surprised when she saw Karl’s fingers move towards her.
“ He can hear you.” One of the doctors said. “ He hasn’t fully regained consciousness yet but he will soon. Right we need to get him into intensive care.”
Susan gently pulled Libby away. “ Come on love. We can see him in a while.”
Libby nodded and the two women watched as Karl Kennedy, husband, father and a wonderful man was taken into a small room.
AUTHOR: Liz
DISCLAIMER: The characters are sadly not mine. Wish Karl was!
SPOILERS: No
SUMMARY: My take on Karl's heart attack. Written proir to the heart attack episodes
Part One
Karl stared at the television and wondered yet again how he could have been so foolish. He had been a complete and utter fool and he knew that now. A couple of tears made their way down Karl’s cheeks as he rewound the tape. He was watching a video. But this wasn’t any old video. On it was his supposed girlfriend Izzy confessing that the baby she had lost had never been Karl’s. It had in fact belonged to Gus Cleary.
How could I have been so stupid? Karl thought bitterly. How could I have let her take me for a ride like that? God I really believed the baby was mine all this time. Izzy’s been lying to me ever since we first got together…
He remembered that Izzy had declined his affections and then suddenly the next day she’d come racing back wanting to be with him. It all suddenly made horrible sense. Izzy had known she was pregnant when she’d come to see him. She’d known all along. That meant Izzy had never shared his affections. She’d only wanted him to be a father.
Oh god. So that’s why she changed her mind so quickly. I don’t believe this.
Fury rose up in Karl. He felt himself shaking with anger and knew that he had to calm down. What good would it do? Izzy wasn’t here, she was most likely with her so called business partner Paul Robinson. And Karl could bet that it was Robinson who left the tape here for him to see.
An ache started crawling its way up Karl’s arm and Karl rubbed his arm puzzled as to where it could have come from. Sighing, he decided to have a lie down. Perhaps it would make him feel better but Karl doubted it somewhat. It wouldn’t rid him of this terrible hurt he felt. As Karl began to stand up, shooting pain ripped through his body especially around his chest. Karl collapsed back onto the sofa, unable to stand.
What is wrong with me? He asked himself. Come on figure this out. You’re a doctor for Christ’s sake.
Suddenly Karl lurched forward, grabbing his shirt. He knew exactly what was wrong with him. All the signs were there. Karl tried to reach for the phone but he only succeeded in causing himself further agony. He was now having trouble breathing. Somebody help me! He thought despairingly. Please just help….
Those were his last thoughts before everything turned to black.
Susan Smith watched Izzy Hoyland talk to Paul Robinson in the make shift Coffee shop. Izzy was flirting, Susan was sure of it. But then that didn’t really surprise Susan. However she was a little surprised at Paul. Surely Paul knew Izzy was with Karl? Susan shook her head. This wasn’t really any of her business. Karl and Izzy’s relationship was complicated to say the least. Still Susan couldn’t help but wonder whether Karl knew of Izzy and Paul’s close ‘friendship’.
Suddenly Izzy came over to Susan. Susan glared at her. Ever since Izzy had left Karl at the altar, Susan had really loathed her. There weren’t many people that Susan detested but Izzy was one of them. What she had done to Karl was wrong and if Susan had had her way, she’d have made sure that ‘Jezebel’ stayed far away from Karl Kennedy.
As Izzy approached her, Susan couldn’t help but ask. “ Isabelle, I thought Karl was supposed to be with you.”
Izzy panicked. Did Susan know something? “ He will be joining me later.” She answered hurriedly. Izzy did not want Susan to know about her secret liaison with Paul Robinson. Izzy had never met a man so different…so deliciously tempting. Paul was so different to Karl. For one thing, Paul was so laid back and easy going that Izzy didn’t feel worried about anything when she was with him. And the way Paul made her feel when he touched her…that was something else all together. But Izzy could not help but feel guilty that she was cheating on Karl. Karl Kennedy was a good man, Izzy knew, and he certainly did not deserve to be cheated on. Yet Izzy couldn’t help herself. Paul Robinson was far too intriguing and sexy.
Susan raised an eyebrow. “ I take it Karl knows about your close friendship with Paul?”
“ Of course he does.” Izzy snapped. “ Look Susan I know you’re concerned but you needn’t be. I love Karl and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.”
“ Ha.” Susan replied sarcastically. “ So leaving him at the altar doesn’t count as hurting him then?”
Izzy said nothing. She should have known Susan would have used that against her. And who could blame her really? Izzy still felt bad about that. “ Yeah well….that’s in the past.” Izzy finally managed to say.
“ I’m so glad that you can forget about it just like that.” Susan answered coldly. “ I don’t know perhaps Karl feels differently.”
“ He’s forgiven me.” Izzy said, growing annoyed. “ Now if you’ve finished yelling at me, what would you like to order?”
“ I don’t think I want to.” Susan replied, getting up. She started to walk away but then turned to Izzy. “ Isabelle, I would watch your step if I were you. Karl doesn’t like to be toyed with.” And with that Susan walked out of the Coffee shop, leaving Izzy flabbergasted.
“ Hey, what was all that about?” Paul sidled up beside Izzy.
Izzy turned to Paul. “ Oh Susan was just telling me yet again how I’m not good enough for Karl.”
“ Hmm.” Paul smiled. “ Well I’d have to disagree with that. You, Ms Hoyland, are certainly good enough. It is the good doctor that isn’t good enough for you. You deserve far better.” He leaned down towards Izzy.
Izzy smiled. “ You think?”
“ Oh I definitely think.” Paul said, and the two of them descended into a kiss.
She knew she shouldn’t but yet Susan felt that Karl needed to know about Izzy and Paul. Susan was reminded of the other day when Karl had voiced some concerns about Paul. Susan had simply told him to stop being petty but she had no idea that Izzy and Paul were…well she didn’t know what they were. Susan hadn’t actually seen the two of them do anything other then harmless flirting. That proved nothing.
Still Susan felt she had an obligation to tell Karl. She didn’t know why. After all she and Karl were not married anymore, they hadn’t been for a year now.
Karl left me. He hurt me and it took me a long time to get over him. So why am I doing this? Why should I tell Karl? He deserves it.
Although she thought this, her heart did not agree with her. Somewhere deep down, Susan still loved Karl and she always would. The thought of him being hurt was horrible and Susan didn’t want that for him. She arrived at Karl’s flat and walked up to the doorway. It was strange in some ways that Karl lived in his own flat. Sometimes Susan missed Karl’s company in Number 28. It was after all the house that Karl had brought.
Susan shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She knocked on the door and waited. She could hear the TV on although she couldn’t quite make out what was on. After several minutes, Susan knocked again. She was puzzled. It sounded like Karl was in. So why was he not answering the door?
“ Karl.” Susan called. “ Karl, it’s me.”
Yet Karl still did not come to the door. Susan was perplexed. She could hear the TV on and she knew Karl would not go out leaving the TV on. He’d always hated wasting electricity. He’d complained so many times during their marriage. He often yelled at Mal for leaving the lights on when he was not in a room. So it didn’t make sense that Karl would leave the TV on. Unless he was in the shower, Susan thought.
Susan turned to go. Obviously Karl was doing something or avoiding her. If that was the case, then Susan really couldn’t be bothered. Sometimes Karl could act so stupidly. Perhaps he was mad at her for saying he was petty. Susan shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Karl would be mad at her for that. However something in her head told her to go into his apartment. Well if Karl wasn’t going to turn off his TV, she might as well. Susan tried the door to check that it wasn’t locked and it wasn’t. Why did Karl never lock his door?
Susan pushed open the door and walked in. The lights were still on, the TV was on, and Karl’s briefcase was on the table. He was obviously here. Then as she looked down, her eyes widened in shock. There, lying on the floor was her ex husband.
“ KARL!“ Susan exclaimed, rushing to him. Her heart was racing. What was he doing on the floor? Susan knelt down and looked at him. His expression told it all. Something had happened to him. Susan became worried instantly. This was serious. Karl’s face was as white as a sheet and she couldn’t see any sign of him breathing. She checked for a pulse and she could barely feel it. It was there but very faint.
“ Karl, Karl, can you hear me?” She asked. But it was obvious that he was unconscious. Tears began to well up in Susan’s eyes. In all the thirty years she’d known Karl, she had never once seen him like this. Susan was paralysed with fear. What should she do? She knew she needed to call the ambulance. Grabbing the phone, Susan dialled the number in panic.
“ Yes hello?” Susan said when she heard someone answer. “ Please you have to help. My husband’s collapsed, he’s barely breathing.” She didn’t notice that she hadn’t used ‘ex husband.’
“ Okay, we’ll send an ambulance round right away. Where are you?” The operator asked.
“ 42 Kingwood I think. It’s a block of apartments, near Ramsey Street.” Susan replied.
“ All right, we’ll be there as soon as we can.” The operator answered and instructed Susan on what she should do. Susan took all this in, trying to remain calm but she couldn’t. She was frightened. Karl looked like he was near death. Susan put the phone down shortly afterwards and just held Karl’s head in her lap.
“ Oh Karl.” She said sadly. “ What’s happened to you?”
Susan looked up at the TV and was surprised to see Izzy on the screen. Susan gently removed the remote control from Karl’s hand and pressed play.
“ My confession is that….well….” Izzy stuttered. “ I was pregnant last year and unfortunately I lost it. Ironic really when you think about it. I had never really wanted to be a mother but when I lost my baby, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But that’s not my secret. My secret is that the baby I had was not actually Karl Kennedy’s. It was Gus’ Cleary’s child . I didn’t want Gus to be the father of my baby so I went to Karl and told him that I loved him and then a few days later I told him I was pregnant with his child.”
Susan stared at the TV in absolute horror. She gazed back down at Karl again and her heart broke when she realised that Karl must have collapsed after watching this. In that moment Susan had never felt such contempt for any person in her life. Isabelle Hoyland truly was a nasty piece of work and she had really gone too far this time. Karl was lying here in agony while she flirted with Paul Robinson.
Susan just hoped that the doctors at the hospital would be able to save her beloved Karl.
Izzy smiled as Paul pulled her close to him. God, she hadn’t felt so naughty in such a long time. She had missed that part of her life. It was not to say that she hadn’t enjoyed settling down with Karl because she had in a way. Karl had made her feel loved and cared for which Izzy was unused to. But she was quite simply bored of that now and wanted something a little more exciting, more fast paced. That was exactly what Paul Robinson was for. Izzy didn’t believe she could ever love Paul. The nearest she’d ever come to loving another man was probably Karl but she was finding it difficult to commit to him. Unlike Karl, Paul wouldn’t care if she just wanted a fling. He would just let her do what she wanted and that felt so good.
“ What are you thinking Izzy?” Paul asked her.
“ Nothing much.” Izzy responded. The two of them were back in the sauna in the gym. After nearly being caught by Boyd, the two of them had been careful for a while. But since Izzy knew that Boyd was too busy doing other things in the gym, she decided to take a chance. Paul had even said he didn’t care if they were caught.
“ I hope you’re not thinking of lover boy back home.” Paul said. “ Karl won’t know where we are. Besides I don’t think he’d care.”
“ I know that. I wasn’t even thinking of him.” Izzy replied. “ And I think he would care Paul.”
Paul smiled devilishly. “ I seriously doubt it.”
Izzy noticed the smile on his face and she became suspicious. “ Why? What have you said to him?”
“ Oh I haven’t said anything. It’s more of what he’s seen.” Paul said lightly.
Izzy felt fear rising up. “ You mean he’s seen us….?” She trailed off.
“ No, not us. The tape.” Paul grinned and Izzy stared in horror. That tape had her confessing about the baby. Izzy couldn’t breathe and she glared at Paul.
“ You set that tape up in Karl’s flat didn’t you?” She asked. Paul just gave her a smile.
“ Why, I’m offended you even thought it was anyone else.” He cracked but one look on Izzy’s face wiped the smile off his face. “ What’s wrong Isabelle? Cat got your tongue?”
“ As a matter of fact it has.” Izzy retorted. “ I can’t believe you would do this! You promised you wouldn’t destroy my relationship with Karl!”
“ Ah I said I wouldn’t tell him about our little rendezvous’ but I didn’t promise not to say anything about the baby.” Paul replied. “ Look Izzy, you don’t love Karl, you never have. Why are you so bothered?”
“ I do love Karl.” Izzy insisted. “ I can’t believe this.” She got up off the bench and began to walk out.
“ Where are you going my sweet Isabelle?” Paul asked innocently.
Izzy turned around and her face said it all. “ I’m going to find Karl. We’re finished Paul.”
Paul finally looked annoyed. “ What? This is ridiculous.”
“ No I’ll tell you what’s ridiculous. This. This flirting and all this playing around. I’ve had enough of it Paul. I may be tempted by you but I’m going to stay away from you from now on. You don’t come near me all right?”
And with that Izzy stormed out of the sauna. Paul grinned widely. So she had said she wouldn’t come back to him but he knew she would.
Give it time. She’ll be back. Isabelle wants me and she knows it. However I have my eye on someone else…Lilijana.
Paul slowly rose and walked out of the sauna, feeling pretty pleased with himself. He had done someone a huge favour. It was time for Darcy Tyler to play Paul Robinson back.
Susan watched tearfully as the paramedics lifted Karl onto a stretcher. They had said he was suffering a heart attack and could go into cardiac arrest at any time. It was too much for Susan. Karl had always been healthy, always knew how to take care of himself as he was a doctor. It had never occurred to Susan that he would actually have a heart attack. But now he was. She watched as they loaded Karl into the ambulance. She saw that they were getting to work on him straight away.
“ Madam, are you coming?” One of the paramedics asked and Susan nodded.
“ Yes, yes of course.” Susan answered shakily and climbed into the back of the ambulance. She sat down and looked down at Karl who had a mask over his face and tubes were being connected to him. It was horrific.
Oh Karl, why has this happened to you? You didn’t deserve this! I always knew that Izzy would make you ill and now she has. Oh god Karl….
As the ambulance pulled away from the block of flats, Susan watched the paramedics operate on Karl. She heard the siren being turned on and that only frightened her further. The siren always meant that someone was in serious need of medical attention. This time it was Karl. Susan realised that she would have to phone the children. What would she say to them? For the first time in her life, Susan had no idea of what she would say. How could she break their children’s hearts and tell them that their father was suffering from a serious heart attack?
It occurred to Susan then that she’d never asked whether Karl would survive. As she thought that, tears began to course down her cheeks. If Karl didn’t pull through…that was not worth thinking about. Susan tried to pull herself together. Karl had to come through otherwise Susan didn’t know if she’d ever cope. And the children…well they’d be stripped of a father.
Come on Karl, you can’t do this to the children. They love you so much that they depend on you. I…depend on you. As much as I have tried to stop loving you, I can’t and I never will. We’re two halves of a whole don’t you know that? If you die, then I will too inside. So you can’t die Karl Kennedy because that would be really selfish of you. And I love you. I don’t care if you don’t love me. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you get well.
One of the paramedics noticed Susan’s shell shocked expression and said, “ Don’t worry, your husband has a full chance of pulling through.”
“ Is there a danger he could have another heart attack?” Susan asked. She knew the risks. After all she had been married to a doctor for nearly thirty years. How could she not know?
“ Unfortunately your husband has had a very serious heart attack. We don’t quite know the extent of it but it may be likely that he could have another one. However many people have pulled through from this type of attack.”
Susan felt numb. Karl could have another one? Karl was strong, Susan knew that, but two heart attacks? She didn’t know anyone who could survive that. Even Karl wasn’t that strong.
“ So basically you’re telling me my husband’s fighting for his life?” Susan responded, devastated.
“ Everyone that has a heart attack will fight for their life.” The paramedic said softly. “ I’m so sorry.”
Susan just nodded her thanks. She felt sick. Karl was hanging on by a thread. It was the most scariest experience that the Kennedys had ever been through.
The ambulance eventually arrived at the hospital. It felt like the longest ride of Susan’s life. The paramedics quickly lifted Karl onto a gurney and rushed him towards the hospital. Susan had to almost run to keep up with them. They entered the hospital and some doctors came running up. Susan recognised some of them. They were Karl’s colleagues.
“ My god, is that Dr Kennedy?” One asked.
“ Yes it is.” Another replied. “ What’s the situation here?”
“ Serious heart attack.” The paramedic replied. “ We need to get him into theatre.”
The doctors nodded and then the doctors took hold of the gurney and started wheeling it down to the main theatre. Susan walked with them. She knew she couldn’t go with him for much longer but she wanted to stay with Karl as long as she could.
“ I know you’ll make it Karl.” Susan whispered to him. “ You have to. For your children. For your patients. For me.”
Then the doctors reached the main doors of the theatre. “ I am sorry Ms Smith but you can’t enter here.”
“ I know.” Susan nodded. “ Just….just make him better.” She said tearfully. “ I can’t lose him.”
“ We can’t afford to lose him either. Dr Kennedy is one of the finest doctors here.” The doctor said. “ I promise we’ll try our best.”
“ Please.” Susan answered tearfully and then just like that the doctors were gone behind the doors with her Karl. She then turned away and suddenly the tears came. Susan stood alone, crying and waiting for news of her beloved Karl.
Hours later and Susan was still in the hospital and there was no sign of Karl. Susan tried not to panic but she couldn’t help it. They were taking an awful long time and she didn’t even want to think what was going on in there. Susan had phoned Libby, Mal and Billy to tell them the awful news. All three had been devastated. Libby and Mal had both said that they would head down to Erinsborough straight away. Billy had wanted to come but he was forced to stay for Anne’s sake as she was quite ill.
Tears still coursed down Susan’s cheeks. She hadn’t been able to stop crying for quite a while. It hurt too much to think of Karl in surgery. Whatever she and Karl had been through…Susan had never even dreamt of this. And she knew that he didn’t love her but that didn’t stop her from loving him. Susan had never really stopped loving Karl. She’d tried so hard to especially after the separation for example Tom Scully. Susan had tried to love him. She had liked him she really had but he wasn’t and he could never be Karl Kennedy. Susan felt like she’d been married to Karl all her life and to change to a different man now at this stage was too hard. Karl Kennedy was in her heart. She had been absolutely devastated when Karl had confessed he didn’t love her anymore. It had left her feeling so worthless, like she was nothing to him. Normally Susan hated self pity but at that time, she hadn’t been able to help it. What were you supposed to feel when your husband of thirty years left you?
“ Mum!” Susan looked up and saw Libby and Libby’s son Ben walking towards her. Susan smiled, grateful to see some friendly faces.
“ Oh Lib darling. I’m so glad you’re here.” Susan answered. “ How did you get here so quickly?”
“ I took the train.” Libby said tearfully. She looked at Susan and Susan could see the tears in her eyes and knew Libby was very worried about her father. Libby and Karl had often been at loggerheads with each other but it was very clear that Libby adored her father. “ Any news about Dad?” Libby asked.
Susan shook her head. “ He’s still in theatre. Oh Libby….” The two of them embraced and Libby felt the strong urge to cry but she did not. She had to be strong for her mother and perhaps for herself too. If she thought her father would die then Libby would lose it and that was not what she wanted to do.
Susan drew back from Libby and sighed. “ I know that operations on a heart attack are hard but what is taking them so long?” She looked desperately at the doors that led to the theatre. There was no sign.
“ You know Dad would know that.” Libby remarked. “ Oh god how can this happen to him? I knew Isabelle was a lying cheating cow. I just never imagined she could do this to Dad. I can’t believe she lied about the baby. She made Dad grieve and everything! I just want to….” She left the sentence unfinished. Susan knew exactly what Libby wanted to do to Izzy for she felt the same way.
Suddenly the doors to the operating room swung open and in came the doctor. Susan almost ran up to him in panic. Libby joined her.
“ Please tell me.” Susan said. “ Has Karl survived?”
“ Good news. We have managed to stabilise Dr Kennedy. It was indeed a very serious heart attack and we will need to take him through to intensive care as we need to watch him in the next few days. There is a very real possibility that he may well suffer another one.”
Susan had heard this before so it wasn’t so much of a shock but she was still very frightened for Karl. “ Can we see him?” She asked tearfully.
“ In a while yes. We just need to take him through. Be warned though. He is still out of it.” The doctor said.
Susan nodded. “ Thank you.” She replied. “ Thank you for saving him.”
The doctor simply smiled. “ I don’t think it was us. I think Dr Kennedy fought through. After all he is one of the best doctors we’ve got. He probably knew he had to survive because it is very costly to replace a doctor like him.”
Susan laughed weakly. “ Oh he’d hate the thought that his death was expensive. Karl’s always been tight with money.”
As they talked, the doors swung open again and Libby saw her Dad being carried through. He had a mask over his face to help him breathe and Libby had never seen him look so ill. He was deathly white. A sob escaped out of Libby as she saw him. She ran up to the gurney and looked down at her Dad. Susan followed swiftly behind.
“ Daddy.” Libby whispered emotionally. “ Oh Dad.” She was surprised when she saw Karl’s fingers move towards her.
“ He can hear you.” One of the doctors said. “ He hasn’t fully regained consciousness yet but he will soon. Right we need to get him into intensive care.”
Susan gently pulled Libby away. “ Come on love. We can see him in a while.”
Libby nodded and the two women watched as Karl Kennedy, husband, father and a wonderful man was taken into a small room.