How Laura Lewis Met Richard Brown

Chapter Ten

Gertie sat with one eye on the doorway and another on Harold who was sitting next to her in the day room. At barely seven o’clock in the morning, most of the other residents were either asleep or in bed. There was no need to rush about here. Gertie had made sure that she’d been awake and sitting up in bed when the night staff had done their rounds just gone six. Luckily, that young carer had been on duty, the one with the bright-pink hair. Gertie had seen the look of disdain on Hazel’s face as she’d spoken to this young girl, who Gertie thought was called Cassie. Or was it Holly? Her mind wasn’t what it used to be. Gertie liked the girl. A student who just wanted to earn a little bit of extra money. A clever girl. Reading English literature. They chatted about poetry and books while the girl brushed her hair and applied make-up. Too good for this place, Gertie thought. Such a shame that she wasn’t going to be a nurse. She’d make a good one.

Once washed and dressed, the girl had escorted Gertie to the day room, where she’d been left with her book and a cup of tea. The tea had now grown cold and her book remained unread. But it didn’t matter. She would soon be getting a hot cup of tea and her book was merely a prop. She was waiting for Laura. She needed to speak to her.

* * *

Laura quickened her pace, refusing to run, but knowing that if she didn’t hurry, she would be late for her morning shift and would suffer the wrath of Hazel. She cursed her stupidity at forgetting to set the alarm and popped an orange jelly baby into her mouth, hoping the sugar rush would give her a pulse of energy. She couldn’t believe she had slept so late. She hadn’t done that in years. Most mornings she woke long before the alarm. Mark had always joked about it when she’d woken him up every morning with a cup of coffee. A sudden stab of pain made her catch her breath as she stumbled to the side of the road, blindly catching the branches of the hedge. She squeezed her eyes shut. Focused on her breathing. Now was not the time to think about Mark. She needed to keep going. Get to work on time. She rooted in her bag for another jelly baby, popped it in her mouth and carried on along the road. Laura had no idea how she would survive the morning without having eaten breakfast. She hadn’t had time to make toast or even grab a hot drink, so she’d simply gulped water from the tap. It was either food or a shower, and she’d chosen to be clean. She just hoped Hazel wasn’t on the warpath.

* * *

Gertie had a clear view of the front door from her seat in the day room. She could watch all the day staff walking through reception and heading towards the staffroom. Two minutes before half past and still no sign of Laura. She was usually here early. At least fifteen minutes before her shift. Perhaps she was sick? Or maybe she’d grown tired of the village and working in this home? Perhaps she’d gone back to the city? Gertie’s guts twisted. That would change everything. She was meant to stay here, in the village, with Richard. Gertie’s hands twisted in her lap. She picked up her book for something to do, something to occupy her hands. Half past seven. Where was she? Just as Gertie was convincing herself that she wouldn’t see Laura today, the woman herself pushed open the door and ran towards the staffroom. Gertie smiled. Today would go to plan after all.

* * *

Laura pushed the tea trolley into the day room and took a deep breath. Hazel was nowhere to be seen. Linda had greeted her in the staffroom with a big cup of coffee and an even bigger smile. Hazel had booked the morning off to catch up on her admin, whatever that meant.

‘Drink that quick while you set up the tea trolley,’ Linda said. ‘I’ll meet you in the day room with the breakfast trolley.’

Laura smiled in thanks, taking the cup. ‘I overslept.’ She noted the raised eyebrow and the knowing look that Linda gave in reply. Her cheeks grew warm.

Linda winked.

Laura had to put a stop to Linda’s train of thought. ‘Oh, no, it’s not what you think. I did oversleep but it’s not, well . . .’

‘You just slept through your alarm? You having trouble sleeping?’ Linda asked.

‘No, the opposite in fact,’ Laura said after blowing on her drink. ‘I think it’s all this fresh air,’ she continued with a smile.

‘Well, never mind why. Best get to it.’ Linda gently squeezed Laura’s arm.

Laura glanced up at the staffroom clock. Yes, time to start the day.

* * *

As soon as Laura pushed the tea trolley into the day room, she spotted Gertie sitting in the armchair right next to the door. Laura smiled as she passed by. The old lady smiled back before dipping her head back towards the paperback she was reading.

Laura set to work pouring cups of tea, while Linda buttered toast and poured milk over bowls of cornflakes and Weetabix. The next hour passed by in a blur. Laura helped to feed residents and wipe down tables. She assisted with toileting duties and then it was on to cleaning and daily checks.

The morning shifted slowly into afternoon. Laura helped residents to navigate the hallways to their room or bathroom, feeling Gertie’s eyes on her, watching her every move. Laura wondered what the attraction was? Why was she being observed so closely? When Laura had a quiet moment, or perhaps when she was on her break, she’d go and sit with Gertie, see what was on her mind. Although Laura already had a feeling she knew what Gertie would want to talk about — Richard.

Finally, it was time for Laura to grab her fifteen-minute break. She walked quickly to the staffroom, made a cup of coffee for herself and a tea for Gertie. She then headed back towards the day room.

* * *

‘Isn’t it your break, love?’ Gertie asked after gratefully accepting the mug of tea.

‘Well, yes, it is, but I thought I’d take my break sitting with you.’ Laura settled into the armchair directly opposite Gertie. ‘I saw Richard last night.’ Laura watched the old woman’s eyes widen in surprise.

‘You saw Richard? Where?’ Gertie asked. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the handle of the mug.

‘I went to the pub in the village and I saw him. He was with a man, having a pint.’ Laura cradled her cup as she spoke, and thought carefully about what to tell Gertie. She didn’t want to upset her. ‘I left early to walk home, and anyway, I dropped my handbag and as I hadn’t zipped it up properly the contents went everywhere, so he stopped to help me.’

‘That’s my Richard—’ Gertie beamed — ‘always the gentleman.’

Laura smiled. ‘Yes, he was very polite.’

Gertie took a slurp of tea before placing it back down on the coffee table.

‘So, how did he seem to you?’ Gertie asked, her eyes still firmly locked on her cup.

Laura sighed, knowing that she was only going to disappoint her. ‘I barely spoke to him and it was dark.’ Laura thought for a moment. ‘He seemed tired, I suppose.’

Gertie nodded, saying nothing.

‘Have you heard from him today?’ Laura asked.

‘Not yet, no, but it’s early and he’ll be at school.’ Gertie finally looked up. ‘He’ll call in later on to see me. He usually does.’

‘I’m sure he will and you’ll be able to clear the air. You just wait and see.’ Laura reached over and patted Gertie’s hand.

Gertie nodded, picked up her tea and slurped once more before turning her sharp green eyes on Laura. ‘Could you spare me another ten minutes? There’s something I need to show you.’

‘Sure,’ Laura said, suddenly intrigued.

Gertie slowly stood and leaned on her stick for support. ‘Right then, let’s go to my room.’

* * *

Laura had never been in Gertie’s room before and couldn’t help but gasp when she saw the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves crammed full of books. There was no available wall space to hang a picture or a wall clock. The old woman offered Laura a grin, knowing that she’d impressed the younger woman.

‘Oh my,’ Laura said, entering the room and heading to the bookshelves. She stroked the books, taking in their musty smell. ‘You like to read?’ she asked, her attention still on the books, and no doubt stating the obvious.

‘I love to read, yes. I was a lecturer in English literature.’

Laura spun on her heel, unable to hide her surprised expression. Gertie was full of surprises, it seemed.

‘But they—’ Gertie gestured towards the bookcase — ‘are not why I asked you here.’ Gertie lowered herself into the armchair located in the corner of the room and placed the stick on the floor.

‘This is about Richard and not about Richard,’ Gertie said.

Laura had a sinking feeling that this conversation was going to be all about Richard, and Gertie’s desire to matchmake.

‘He’s a good-looking man, a kind man,’ Gertie said. ‘I could set you up on a date with him if you like.’

Laura felt her cheeks grow hot. She needed to make her excuses. Get out of the room. She didn’t like the direction of this conversation, or its speed. ‘I-I don’t think that would be appropriate. Not under the circumstances.’ She didn’t want to get involved with any man — she was still reinventing herself. She hardly knew who she was.

‘Oh, I don’t mean now of course. It’s far too soon. But in the future. Now isn’t the right time for you, dear.’

Laura stared, open-mouthed.

‘As I said, this isn’t all about Richard.’ Gertie tutted. ‘I want to show you something.’

Laura took a deep breath and told herself to go along with whatever Gertie wanted to show her. Make the old woman happy.

Gertie shifted forward in her seat and pointed towards the wardrobe. ‘You’ll find a cardboard box on the floor, pushed to the back. Be a dear and bring it to me.’

Laura did as she was told, found the box in the bottom of the wardrobe and placed it on the bed. The box was large and smelled musty. Laura thought that whatever it contained must be very old. She stepped back from the bed and awaited permission to open it.

‘You can open it, dear. I want you to pass me the bundle of letters,’ Gertie said.

Letters? That was the last thing Laura had expected to find. Maybe the box had old photographs or ornaments in it too?

Gertie patted the bed for Laura to sit down.

‘I want you to read them,’ Gertie said, her words slow and measured. ‘They are from the man I lost. Then you will understand that you and me are more alike than you think.’