The Nurse by J. Corrigan (list of ebook readers txt) 📕

concentrating and sad. She inclines her head for him to carry on. ‘My first Skype call to her was awkward.’ He grins. ‘Bit like now, really.’

‘What made you decide to write about me… and Abe?’

‘I had the idea on a walking holiday in the Peaks. I’d booked into the same B&B Abe was staying in when he was rushed into hospital… your hospital. Got talking to the guy who runs the place – as you know from my letter.’ He unfastens another button on his shirt. ‘Are you sure you want to hear this?’

‘I do. I’m sorry about my first refusal.’

He should ask why she initially declined his request, but holds back.

She carries on, although her tone is subdued. ‘What did the B&B owner say about Abe?’

‘Pleasant, well-mannered, but a quiet guy. Kept himself to himself. He checked in and spent the following day walking, then the next morning he got togged up and went off in the car. He returned upset and agitated. That night he became very ill. Lost consciousness at dinner. The owner called an ambulance. Soon after admission into hospital, he had to be put into an induced coma—’

‘He had pneumonia,’ Rose interrupts, her voice a whisper. ‘It was imperative he was intubated. None of us who’d been caring for him thought he’d pull through.’

‘Yes,’ Theo says. It’s as if they’re talking about someone else, and not about Abe, the man Rose is in prison for killing. The man who was her patient. ‘I was determined to follow it up. I contacted Natasha, and then you. And then at your suggestion, I got in touch with your mum.’

‘You’ll be telling Abe’s story too?’

‘That’s my plan. Do you object?’

She shakes her head and crosses one long thigh over the other, her movements quick and anxious.

‘Your mum’s helping me on your childhood, but anything you can give me would be great.’

‘Let her tell you. It’ll be interesting to get her perspective.’ She clasps her hands together and her knuckles shine bone white.

‘Maybe she just doesn’t know how to handle all of this?’ he says.

Rose unwinds her hands and pushes the tips of her fingers into the pockets of her jeans. ‘Maybe.’

‘She does seem worked up about visiting you again.’

‘Any theories on why?’ she asks, scrutinizing his face.

He moves his chair nearer to the table. Nearer to Rose. ‘Perhaps I’ll find out.’

‘That’s what I’d like you to do, Theo.’

So this is why she’s agreed to see him. The prickle of curiosity that’s been nagging at him turns into a full-blown rash of inquisitiveness.

‘I’ve been thinking of getting in touch with Daniel Deane too,’ he says.

‘If you do, our interviews are off. Wait until we’ve finished talking? Please?’

‘Okay. It’s a deal.’ He really doesn’t want to scare her off.

‘Good. Shall we make a start?’

‘What you’ve already told me in your letter is great stuff.’ He pulls a pencil from his pocket. ‘So vivid.’

Rose takes a deep breath and continues with the story of her first meeting with Abe Duncan’s father. Hearing it from her lips, the cast comes alive, names on paper become real. Theo tries to take notes, but after a short time he lays his pencil on the table and simply listens.

8

Rose

29 March 1991

In the end, I took my time getting ready for my dinner with Daniel. I’d never made that much effort for Tom, who’d been in the hallway when I opened the front door. He’d seen Daniel waiting in the car but hadn’t looked as upset as I’d thought he would.

Finally I made my way back outside. I pulled down the vanity mirror above the front passenger seat and dabbed at my red lipstick with a Kleenex, momentarily distracted by hair that had found its freedom. It had a life of its own, the reason it was always tied up.

Daniel turned. ‘Wow. You look lovely. Where did you get that glorious hair from?’

‘It’s not glorious if you have to cope with it every day,’ I said, laughing. ‘I’ve the same hair as my mum. I’m sure my brother’s pleased he doesn’t.’

He flicked on his indicator, the car came to life and he pulled away, heading north out of Nottingham and towards the A60, easily overtaking the vehicle in front, which observed the speed limit.

‘You’ll have very beautiful and intelligent children,’ he said, not taking his eyes away from the road.

‘That’s a very curveball compliment. Although I’ve exams to pass and a career to forge first.’

‘Yes, you certainly do have a career to… forge.’ He smiled.

‘All right, a career to build.’ He had a sense of humour. I liked that too.

‘I’m assuming you’re a student?’

‘Med. Year four.’

‘Ah, the dreaded year four. Lots of clinical exams.’

Year four was indeed a bit of a bastard year, which was only really a known fact within med school. ‘So you’re a doctor?’ I asked.

‘I am. But not practising. Never did really. Better at business, which is why I run the hospital.’

‘Bluefields has a good reputation.’ I paused. ‘Did you not want to practise?’

He laughed, and I heard the contour of bitterness. ‘I’m afraid I didn’t, much to my father’s disappointment. A lot of things I do, decide not to do or can’t do disappoint my father.’ Without me realizing, we’d pulled up at a pillared entrance. ‘This is the Riverside Restaurant,’ he said.

‘Looks posh.’

He turned. ‘I’m attempting to impress you.’

‘Mission accomplished.’

‘We can go somewhere else if you’d rather?’ Concern crossed his features.

‘No, this looks good.’

He parked up on the gravel driveway, and I peered out of the car window. The calm spring day of earlier had turned ugly. The wind had picked up in the last hour, and a fine rain was falling. The sky had changed from the eye-watering brilliance of just a few hours before to semi-darkness. I wrapped my thin linen jacket around my body and my stomach began to growl; I knew it was anxiety, but Daniel didn’t.

‘Come on,’ he said, ‘let’s feed you up.’

As we got out, the sky started to properly unburden itself, and we