Memoirs of a Karate Fighter Read Online Free PDF

parts. I found Mick almost crying with laughter, but when he saw my terror he doubled over and his face turned so crimson with mirth that he looked in dire need of oxygen. Initially, I was not sure how to react, but as I had escaped the apprentices’ initiation rite, I found it easier to forgive him.
    I had thought about telling Mick about my injury but macho prideprevented me from doing so. Such was the reputation of the YMCA that to admit to pain seemed like an act of betrayal. Pain was something we had been trained to accept from the first day: the sort that was self-inflicted in order to push us to the very limits of endurance; and the type inflicted by others so as to ensure that in a fight we did not immediately collapse or surrender. But as the day wore on, I felt the urgent need to share my pain with someone. When it finally became too much to bear, I pretended that I was going to the toilet, but made a diversion to the first aid room when I thought no one was looking.
    The factory nurse was Brenda, a short woman who was almost as wide as she was tall. Her face was as pleasant as her disposition, but there were times, as on this occasion, when her demeanour became that of an old fashioned, no-nonsense matron.
    â€œYou again, Mr Robb, what is it now?” she asked.
    â€œThe same as last time,” I replied, “I keep hurting myself just so I can see you, Brenda.”
    Her stern face softened. “You are going to get me talked about. I see more of you than any other person in this factory,” she chuckled. Then changing back to a more serious tone, she asked me the real reason for my visit.
    â€œIt’s my chest,” I replied. “I’ve taken a knock and now I can’t breathe properly.”
    â€œLet me guess. You’ve been playing kung fu games again. When will you ever learn?” she said scornfully, before ordering me to take off my shirt and lie on the bed.
    She began by examining my ribs. Her touch was gentle and despite my discomfort I smiled at her. Clearing her throat, she said, “Can’t seem to find anything wrong so far.”
    Then, placing one hand on top of the other, she gently pressed down on my chest. It was if an electric current had shot through my entire body. My arms and legs stiffened as I let out a loud groan from between my clenched teeth.
    She frowned and then said, “This is worse than I first thought. I think you’ve got a cracked sternum. I’m not equipped, nor am I qualified to treat it.”
    My first thought was of missing training and the British Clubs’ championships.“Can’t you just bandage it up for me?” I asked.
    â€œI’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll put on a couple of bandages for you, but you must promise to go and see your doctor today.”
    â€œI promise, Brenda.”
    She rummaged through her medicine cabinet and then placed two tablets onto my palm. “Take these for the pain. They act quite quickly,” she said.
    â€œI’d rather take the pain. I don’t like taking pills unless I really have to.”
    She shook her head, as though unimpressed with my show of youthful machismo. “It’s your choice,” she sighed, and then with a hint of a menace she added, “but I think I should warn you that I’m about to make you scream.”
    As she unwrapped the rolls of bandages, I studied her expression. She pursed her lips in a way I imagined a person would do when contemplating doing something unpleasant to another living being. I then looked down at the tablets in my hand and said, “Can I have a glass of water with these, please?”
    *
    It had been a long and frustrating day at the factory. Several key breakdowns had meant that I had had to work overtime, but at least the pills that Brenda had given me had taken the edge off the pain. It was late in the evening when I left to drive home. My route did not take me far from the
dojo
, and the