Authors: Clare Curzon
The Glass Wall (5 page)
âShe phoned the police?'
âThey're neighbours. I guess she meant to contact his wife, but they both went round to help. Mrs Yeadings was once a Sister at the old Westminster.'
âThank heaven Audrey had enough sense for that.'
The detective nodded. âIt sounds as though you know Mrs Stanford.'
âHer husband's a GP. I met her socially through him.'
âI see. Look, don't let me hold you back. I know hell's always a-poppin' in here.'
âThat's one way to describe it. Actually Keith's â Dr Stanford's â here with his wife at the moment. Come through and see him. But I'm afraid I can't let you question Audrey. Not at present, anyway.'
âFair enough. A goodwill message from my boss will do for the present.'
Keith had looked up as he heard their voices. Now he rose and came across, smiling wearily. âZ, you haven't come about my wife, have you? It was quite straightforward. Superintendent Yeadings could tell you what happened.'
âHe did. He sent me to see how she is. Nan would have come herself but she's tied up with the toddler's sight and hearing tests.'
âShe's going to be all right. From this, I mean. You know the cancer's terminal? The truth's really reaching her now. I'll have to spend more time at home with her.'
âI didn't know. I'm so sorry.' Her shock seemed genuine. In the awkward pause that followed, Alyson asked, âSo you know each other?'
âWe meet professionally,' Keith admitted, âwhen I stand in as police surgeon.'
Zyczynski nodded. âI'll not get in your way, doctor. Try and get some sleep yourself. You look dead on your feet. Goodbye.'
On her way out she turned back to Alyson. âYou said you had a mystery young man. Is there anything I can do?'
âI'm not sure. The constable who brought him in as an OD took away a debit card he had. I doubt it would be his, since he's a junkie. I mean â¦'
âNot old or affluent enough to have his own account? So, he's nameless?'
âThat's one problem. I was just going through his clothes to see if there's any clue. Would you like to look? That's more in your line than mine.'
âWhy not? Can I take a look at him too? Maybe I've seen him hanging around with dealers.'
âIt's family visits only, but he's out cold so he'll never know. Come on then.' They stood either side of the young man's bed. âHe's only a boy really,' Alyson said. âWhat do you think?'
Zyczynski was frowning. âThere's something familiar, but I can't place him. Seen him in court possibly. Or at the nick when he wasn't quite such a mess. But maybe it's just a type. Don't you despair of them coming in like this time and time again?'
âDon't you?'
She smiled. âI haven't your patience.' She leaned forward and read the ID card clipped to Alyson's pocket. âAlyson Orme. D'you know, it was once a toss up for me between nursing and the police. I think I chose the right career.'
âI certainly did. Here, put some gloves on if you're touching his things.'
She left the policewoman to find out what she could. Keith was hovering at the door, ready to go. âShe won't have anything to do with me,' he said tightly. âI might as well go home and leave her simmering.'
âAnd the course you were going on?'
âCan't leave, naturally. But while she's safe here with you, I can carry on working. Have to arrange, though, for when she comes out. See what the shrinks say.'
The one thing she wanted to ask was whether it had been a genuine attempt by Audrey to end her life.
As if he'd heard the silent question he said, âIt may just have been the proverbial cry for help. On the other hand she may have meant it at the time, then changed her mind.
âThe saddest thing is that I'd do anything in my power to give the help she needs, only it's too late. Nothing left but TLC and see she's not in too much pain.'
âShe's adamant still about the hospice?'
âWon't hear it mentioned. Quite final.' He shook his head. âIt has to be me. I must go through it with her. I guess that's what marriage is about. No alternative.'
âI'm sorry, Keith.'
âI know. Meanwhile, I'll be in to see Emily this evening, early as I can make it.'
She ought to tell him not to bother, but she didn't. âI'll save you some supper.'
âThat'd be nice. I'll ring you.' And he was gone.
Alyson returned to Rosemary Zyczynski and the plastic sack of soiled clothing.
âWhat do you make of this?' the detective asked, holding up a scuffed, once-white trainer. âDid you happen to look under the lining?'
The wind had backed during the afternoon, bringing Atlantic clouds and giving a brief, illusory sense of warmth. By evening the snow, no longer white, was being churned to unlovely slush. Drains, blocked with ice and debris, couldn't take the overflow. Car tyres hissed, flinging up sheets of greasy water to drench pedestrians waiting to cross at the traffic island. Among them Alyson ducked back as a wave swept up from a van that challenged their right of way. She made it safely to her own side of the complex.
Home,
she thought, letting herself in; and had to smile at her own complacence. She hadn't a home. Not since Gran's death when at eighteen she'd come up to London, hub of the universe, to study nursing at St Thomas's.
she thought, letting herself in; and had to smile at her own complacence. She hadn't a home. Not since Gran's death when at eighteen she'd come up to London, hub of the universe, to study nursing at St Thomas's.
This was Emily's home; yet Alyson had the illusion of belonging, because of the relationship, tenuous though it was. Emily being Gran's elder sister meant something when you'd no other family.
Sadly, the old lady couldn't last forever, but Alyson had never regretted transferring, qualified, to this Thames Valley hospital and moving in here on the solicitor's invitation. To be well paid for caretaking in a luxury pad was a bonus, and the hospital authority hadn't objected to her taking it on.
And then there was Emily herself.
She walked up the first three flights before allowing herself to take the lift. As soon as she opened the apartment's door she heard a chair pushed back on the kitchen tiles. Sheena came out excitedly to meet her, almost running.
âWhat's up? How's Emily?'
âOh, she's fine. That is, y'know â just the same as ever. No, it's what's happened. She had a visitor. A Rachel Howard from Edinburgh. And listen â she must've known the entry code!'
Alyson put down the carrier bag with her purchases for the intended supper with Keith.
âCalm down, Sheena. Tell me exactly what she said.'
Round-eyed with importance, Sheena made the most of it: this
haughty, tall, thin woman and her assumption she could do as she liked here. Forty or more, maybe fifty, Said she was some kind of relative. Well, Alyson must know what she was like, must have met her, because she'd been able to get in downstairs.
haughty, tall, thin woman and her assumption she could do as she liked here. Forty or more, maybe fifty, Said she was some kind of relative. Well, Alyson must know what she was like, must have met her, because she'd been able to get in downstairs.
âHow did Emily react?'
It stopped Sheena short. She'd no idea. Ramón hadn't said. Well, he wouldn't. Men didn't go in for other people's reactions. Especially old ladies'. Only, of course, she couldn't mention him.
âOh, Emily was asleep,' she improvised. âI wouldn't have her woken.'
âWhat time was this?'
âBetween half four and five.'
âSo she was sitting out?' Alyson looked hard at the carer. âSheena, you did have her dressed and sitting out?'
Better not lie too far: you could get in deep that way. âWell, no, actually. She seemed so tired. Like I said, she was asleep.'
âBut it's important, Sheena. I told you before. She needs the chair's support, and to be upright with her legs down, for at least a part of the day. Never mind if she dozes there.'
Sheena blinked her short, pale lashes. Thank goodness they were off the subject of the Howard woman. This was familiar stuff. You'd think Alyson really cared how Emily spent the day. Of course, however much of a bore she found the old girl, once she'd fluffed it that would be the end of the road for this cushy lifestyle. Alyson would be out on her ear, just like herself. Worse really. At least back at Mum's she had a roof over her head. Alyson would be really adrift.
âDid she leave her address?' Alyson was uneasy. Until now all communication had been through Mr Fitt. It must be he who'd supplied the entry code.
âYeah. I've got her card here.' Sheena produced it, slightly smudged with makeup. âOh, and she said she'd be phoning.'
âGood. Thank you.'
âDid you know she was coming?' Sheena made it an accusation.
Alyson glanced up at her and wondered at her anger. What had Rachel Howard walked in on that had made her so uneasy?
âI've never heard of her before. She must be one of Emily's
family. I don't know any of them.'
family. I don't know any of them.'
âShe said she was Emily's granddaughter. But she can't be, can she?'
Alyson considered. âThere's no reason why not. You say she's well over forty. That could be about right for age. I'm glad someone's taking an active interest in Emily at last. What a pity she was asleep and missed meeting her.'
Sheena was shrugging herself into her outdoor things. âGotta date with my boyfriend,' she claimed, presuming on her new connection with Ramón. He'd be on duty at the Crown anyway: captive audience more or less. She'd have to cut down on the Vodka Martini tonight though. It was working out expensive. Maybe she could get him to take her out sometime when he was free; to a film or ninepin bowling. It was too much to suppose he'd rise to a disco.
Alyson watched her go and listened for the sound of the lift taking her down. Sheena was proving less than satisfactory. She'd had experience looking after an arthritic neighbour and was a registered carer, but it didn't make up for her being incurably lazy. She made some show of observing hygiene requirements when under observation, but left on her own could be getting away with sluttish standards. Short of installing CCTV inside the apartment there was no way to be sure Emily was getting the service her money should cover. But going that far smacked of Big Brother. Threatened with that, Sheena would probably give in her notice. She wouldn't have been offered the job except that nobody else answered the advert. The hiring had been inevitable, so fire-power must be kept as the last resort.
Alyson made herself tea and let it cool while she prepared the vegetables for tonight's meal: calabrese, carrots and red peppers to accompany the lamb loin steaks and creamed minted potato. No pudding, but a choice of cheeses and Italian breads. Because Keith would probably come in chilled they could start with the supermarket's parsnip and basil soup zipped up with sherry and a pinch of cayenne.
He rang at a quarter past nine. âOn my way, if that's all right with you. Be there in fifteen minutes.'
Alyson smiled into the receiver. âThat's great. I'll open a bottle of red.'
Not just any red though: the claret Dr Moody had given her at Christmas and she'd never had sufficient occasion to break into.
When Keith came stamping and shivering in, complaining that it seemed colder than during the freeze she had a small table set up by the great window with its view out on the town's lights. âDid you get any lunch?' she asked him.
He had to think, stopping in the middle of shedding his overcoat. âI guess I worked through.'
âEmpty stomach, so of course you're feeling the cold. It doesn' t take a doctor to work that out. I've got hot soup ready to serve.
âWonderful. I'll just look in on Emily while you're at it. How is she today?'
âSee for yourself. I've something to tell you when you come back.'
He wasn't long away. âDidn't recognize me,' he complained drolly. âLittle short of spat at me. At least it's some sign of mental activity. What were you going to tell me?'
âShe had a visitor today,' Alyson said, waving him to his place at the table. âI wasn't here. Sheena saw to her. A Rachel Howard claiming to be Emily's granddaughter. And she let herself in below. So I assume Mr Fitt sent her.'
âIt would have been courteous to warn you in advance.'
âPerhaps it was intentional, to catch us out. And poor Emily was left in bed all afternoon. No doubt I'll be hearing about that when the woman phones me.'
Dr Stanford shook his head. âAll the same I'd let Fitt know it's not on. There's no security if anyone can walk in on you any time they care to. If the family's suddenly showing an interest in our patient he should accompany the visitor, by appointment, when we're able to discuss her with them.'
âShe could actually be a granddaughter, I suppose.'
âHow much do you know about them?'
âNothing really, beyond the little that Gran told me: just that her older sister âgot into trouble' and ran away when she was seventeen.
Gran was only eight at the time and it was kept very quiet. Later she picked that much up from whispers among the servants. She was raised as an only child and barely remembered the rather magnificent young woman who'd gone missing. She did learn eventually that a baby had been born, a girl, but their father would never have Emily's name mentioned again in his presence.'
Gran was only eight at the time and it was kept very quiet. Later she picked that much up from whispers among the servants. She was raised as an only child and barely remembered the rather magnificent young woman who'd gone missing. She did learn eventually that a baby had been born, a girl, but their father would never have Emily's name mentioned again in his presence.'
âSelf-righteous old fool. God knows how many lives he spoiled by his obstinacy.'
âThat was their way then. “Never darken my doors again” sort of thing. We may have swung too far the other way these days, but at least there's less prejudice. Children don't suffer the same stigma of illegitimacy.'
Keith considered. âEven then he must have appeared a bit of a dinosaur. It would have been 1928, well after World War I, and things were beginning to loosen up. Even among the middle classes.'
âWhatever and however, it resulted in her being totally cut off from the family. It seems that both sides continued procreating until now only this Rachel and I are left to make what we can of the way things are.'
âAnd you see it as up to you to provide a happy ending.'
âNot exactly that. I just feel â¦'
âThat you owe Emily something.'
âIn a way. But she fascinates me; rather, I imagine, as she did Gran. You have to admit, Keith, there is something about her.'
âSomething that makes her present nearest and dearest disinclined to take on caring for her themselves.' There was more warning in his voice than condemnation.
âThat's partly it: as if all the way along she's been done down, cheated of her birthright. Which is hurtful. Why do you think that after all this time she still uses her maiden name? And insists on being “Miss”? I feel I need to make up to her for the past. Is that silly of me?'
âA tad fanciful perhaps, but kind. That's the main thing.' He watched her gathering their soup plates together and balancing them on one arm as she made room on the small table for their
next course.
next course.
âNo silver service,' she said, laughing. âI think I'll dish up in the kitchen. It'll keep everything nicely hot. Come along and choose your vegetables, straight from the saucepans!'
He followed her, bemused. At home it would have been so different. Since Audrey had given up on normal meals he'd become accustomed to sitting alone, served by a silent Mrs Marsh, in a dining room heated only for the occasion by a single-bar electric fire. He would swallow what was presented, without tasting or appreciation, eager only to have done with it for the companionship of the living room's flaming logs or, more often, to go wearily to bed.
âThis,' he told Alyson, âis a rare treat. Thank you for taking pity on me.'
She turned back from the opened dishwasher, her eyes smouldering with something like anger. âIt's not pity. You know that.' Her eyes held his, challenging him.
âI think I do,' he admitted humbly. âOnly I don't know how to â¦' He held out both arms.
âNo,' she said with finality. âSay nothing. It's best. I was stupid to pick up on that. Forget it, please.
Please,
Keith. Let everything stay the way that it is. It has to be.'
Please,
Keith. Let everything stay the way that it is. It has to be.'
He let his arms drop. Looked anywhere but at her. After a moment, âWhat's for afters?' he asked, managing to sound like a greedy schoolboy.
âI'll see what I can find,' she told him, sharp and distant. But when she brought it to the table she was smiling again.
They were drinking decaff coffee when the call from Rachel Howard came.
Alyson took it on the lounge phone, signalling him not to go away. He listened while she explained herself to the unfamiliar voice, giving the hours at which she could be reached on home duty.
âYes, all night, every night, from eight-thirty until noon next day. Of course it will be convenient if you visit. I look forward to meeting you, Mrs Howard. I'm sorry:
Miss
Howard, then. Yes, thank you. Goodbye.'
Miss
Howard, then. Yes, thank you. Goodbye.'
âShort and to the point,' she told Keith, replacing the receiver. âShe'll drop in tomorrow morning, before returning to Edinburgh.'
âI had already gathered they weren't a family to waste much time on sentiment,' he observed drily. âDo you think she'll be suggesting we move Emily to a hospice?'
âI hope not. Surely in the little time left â¦and if she sees how comfortable Emily is here, among her own things â¦'
âDon't worry, Alyson. I shouldn't have brought up the possibility. Certainly if my opinion's asked I shall come down heavily on things remaining as they are.'
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