How Laura Lewis Met Richard Brown

Chapter Twenty-Three

Earlier that same day . . .

‘See you tomorrow, Henry. Be a good boy for Nana.’ Richard waved goodbye to his son who stood on Tracey’s doorstep, clutching her hand.

‘He’s always a good boy. Aren’t you, Henry.’ Tracey looked down to ruffle his hair with her free hand. ‘He’ll be fine, don’t worry. Give us a call in the morning if you like.’

‘Will do.’ Richard closed the garden gate behind him. ‘Bye, Henry.’ He heard the click of the front door closing.

He drew in a deep breath and pushed his hands deeper into his coat pockets. The sky was now pitch black and he could see the stars, thanks to the very few dimly lit street lights. One of the perks of living in the village.

He made his way slowly past the few scattered cottages and along the lane towards the care home. He needed to see Gertie. Check how she was doing. He wouldn’t get a chance tomorrow as he was on a day trip with his Year Six kids, hence the need for Henry to stay overnight with Tracey. It was going to be a very early start and they wouldn’t be getting back until eight o’clock in the evening. Richard just wanted to see his gran and make sure she was settled and comfortable.

What he secretly hoped for was that he might bump into Laura. She would tell him how things really were and if there were any problems. But another part of him, something that was buried deep within him, just wanted to see her again. Just to see her face.

What was he thinking? He was letting Gertie and her romantic notions get to him. His attention should be on his son, who he’d abandoned to the care of his mother-in-law. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about the pretty care worker who seemed to care as much about his gran as he did. But there was something about her. A deep-rooted sadness that she couldn’t quite hide. He supposed that he just wanted to know more about her. She intrigued him. She was a mystery and he liked to solve mysteries.

With every step that Richard took, he felt the guilt weighing heavier on his shoulders. Henry loved to spend the night with Nana Tracey, but Richard still felt like the worst dad in the world for leaving him behind.

Sally’s voice rang strong and loud in his head.

Richard, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing the best you can. He is so loved. You shouldn’t worry.

But he did. He couldn’t help it. He worried all the time about letting his young son down. He worried about his emotional development, about how losing his mother so young would affect him in later life, because Richard knew that it would. He had read studies. He also knew from his own experience of losing his own parents. How he struggled with issues of guilt and identity. But then he told himself that Henry still had his father. Henry’s situation was very different to his own.

He worried too much.

Richard passed the playground and the lights of Cedar House care home came into view. He stopped for a moment, taking in the sight of the home which was all warmth and comfort.

Cedar House care home had been part of his life now for many years. He had taken it for granted. How much longer would he be walking down this very same path? He began to walk again, down the path as the light sensors flickered on, lighting the way.

* * *

Richard found Gertie in her room. Cerrie was plumping the pillows and laughing at something Gertie said as she helped the old lady lie back against the pillow mountain.

‘Oh, hello, Richard,’ Cerrie said.

‘Hello,’ Richard said to both women and bent down to kiss Gertie’s cheek. ‘If you’re busy I can wait outside.’ Richard was already backing away towards the door.

‘Oh, it’s fine,’ Cerrie said. ‘I’m finished now. Just settled Gertie for the night.’

For the night? Richard stopped himself from looking at his watch. It had only just gone 8 p.m. He liked Cerrie, but she did talk to his grandmother like a child and he didn’t like that. He swallowed down his sarcastic comment. She meant well and she was kind. He shouldn’t complain.

‘Thanks, love, and you be careful, you hear?’ Gertie said with a wag of her finger. ‘Don’t go back to his, and make sure you stay where people can see you. You don’t know this man.’

Cerrie’s cheeks flushed slightly. ‘It’s just a quick drink, Gertie, that’s all. He’s really nice. Not like the others.’

‘Well then, you have fun.’ Gertie gave Cerrie an exaggerated wink. ‘And I’ll hear all about it tomorrow, won’t I?’

Cerrie laughed.

Richard cleared his throat. Had they forgotten that he was in the room? It felt that way.

Cerrie left the room with a quiet laugh.

Richard sat on the side of the bed. ‘So, how are you today?’

‘I’m fine, love,’ Gertie said quickly.

Too quickly for Richard’s liking. She wanted to shrug off his concern. Richard narrowed his eyes and looked more closely at his grandmother.

‘And you can stop that right there,’ Gertie said. A slow scowl had formed on her face. Her eyes narrowed. ‘You don’t need to try to study me to see if I’m telling the truth or not. I’m fine, considering.’ She cleared her throat. ‘But there is something that I need to tell you.’

Richard leaned in closer. ‘What?’ His mind raced with unpleasant thoughts. What was she going to share with him now?

Gertie looked over to the door that Cerrie had shut behind her.

‘Things have been moved in here,’ Gertie said. ‘Books and things have been moved. I know because everything has its place.’

Richard sat bolt upright. Someone had been in his grandmother’s room and rummaged around in her stuff. How could that be allowed to happen? And he’d always trusted the staff. Well, most of them.

‘And you’re absolutely sure?’ Richard asked. Not because he doubted her, but because he needed confirmation.

Gertie nodded. ‘Yes. It’s not just me either.’

‘We need to report it,’ Richard said. These were vulnerable people. His own grandmother. He was furious the more he thought about it. But even as the words passed his lips, he knew that reporting it was pointless. Who would they report their suspicions to? Hazel. And it was Hazel who was the main suspect here. By the looks of things, Gertie knew it too.

‘That’s a bad idea, isn’t it?’ Richard said.

Gertie nodded. ‘We need a plan to catch whoever it is,’ she said. ‘Any ideas?’

Richard scratched his chin, deep in thought. ‘We need to catch them in the act, because without that we have no proof and we need proof.’

‘So, let’s get it then,’ Gertie said with an unmistakable twinkle in her eye.

‘But how?’

Then, almost instantly, once the idea had been planted, he knew. They needed to see whoever it was and the only way to do so was by using a video camera.

‘You already know, don’t you?’ Richard asked.

‘Of course I do.’ Gertie chuckled. ‘I was just waiting for you to catch up.’

Richard grinned. He couldn’t help it. What was happening in this home was truly awful, but it was giving his grandmother a purpose. She was fizzing with energy and ideas. She had a plan and she loved to solve puzzles.

Richard scanned the room, wondering where the best place would be to place a hidden camera. It had to be central and obviously disguised. But they came in the size of a pinhead these days.

‘Are they easy to obtain? These secret camera thingies?’ Gertie asked.

‘Yes, I could order one online right now and I’d get it delivered tomorrow.’

Gertie cooed. ‘Ooooh, the wonders of modern technology.’

Richard fished his phone out of his jacket pocket and swiped the screen to unlock it. He tapped the screen and started to type into the search engine.

The screen was instantly flooded with images and information about spy cameras. He glanced at the prices. All were fairly cheap. He carried on scanning the text. These cameras would link remotely to his phone, so he could watch in real time or go back and watch the recording. Both options were perfect.

He turned the screen around so Gertie could see. ‘Take a look. Tell me what you think.’

Gertie held the phone close up to her face. ‘They all look good to me.’

‘Well, I’ll have a closer look once I get home and I’ll order one. The sooner we can put one in here, the sooner we’ll catch the scumbag.’

‘Thanks, love,’ Gertie said. ‘I don’t think they’ve taken anything, but who knows? I’m a little worried about my first editions. I just hope they don’t come back for another rummage.’

‘If they do, we’ll get them and there will be hell to pay,’ Richard said. ‘Do you want me to take the first editions? Keep them safe for you?’ He knew Gertie wasn’t concerned about how valuable they were, but rather the emotional connection she had to those books.

‘No, they’re staying here with me. This is my home,’ Gertie said. ‘Right, well, let’s change the subject, shall we?’ What about you? All ready for the trip tomorrow?’

‘Yes, all ready.’ Richard’s mind was still on what had happened in this room. It unsettled him. For the very first time he didn’t want to leave her here alone.

‘You mustn’t worry about me, Richard. I’m fine, and whoever is responsible won’t know what’s hit them when we catch them in the act.’

Richard nodded, not entirely convinced. He still didn’t like the idea of leaving what had happened unreported. That’s when he thought of Laura. He could tell her.

‘You look tired, love,’ Gertie said. ‘Why don’t you head on home. I’ll be okay.’

Richard opened his mouth to protest. To tell her that he could stay another hour, two in fact. There wasn’t much to do before the trip tomorrow. But Gertie cut him off.

‘That nice young man is on tonight. The one who’s going to train as a nurse. So you needn’t worry.’

Richard felt a little better knowing Adrian would be there, but he still wasn’t happy.

‘And Laura is here tomorrow,’ Gertie said, as if no other explanation was needed.

This did make Richard feel better.

‘Right then, I’ll head off,’ he said.

He bent down to plant a kiss on his grandmother’s cheek. She cupped his face with one hand.

‘Have a good time tomorrow with the kids and don’t worry about me.’

It was only when Richard was walking past the dim lights of the playground that he realised he had forgotten his phone. He’d put his hand in his pocket to retrieve it to send Laura a text about what Gertie had told him, and it wasn’t there. Muttering profanities under his breath, he turned on his heel and made his way back down the path towards the home. He must have left it in Gertie’s room.

Richard retraced his steps back to the home, was buzzed back through the main door and climbed the steps, back up to his grandmother’s room.

He raised his hand to knock on the door, but stopped when he heard a voice he recognised.

Gertie was chatting to Laura.

He really shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but he needed his phone. He raised his fist again to knock on the door before he heard anything that would embarrass him.

Too late.

Richard clearly heard Gertie’s raised voice.

‘Has he asked you out yet?’

Richard thumped on the door, far too loudly, but he didn’t want to hear any more of that conversation.

‘Come in,’ Gertie shouted.

Richard pushed open the door and stepped into the room.

Laura was sitting on the bed, just as he had done not ten minutes earlier.

‘Hello,’ Richard said, his words aimed towards Laura. He turned his gaze towards Gertie who didn’t have the grace to look embarrassed. He had noticed Laura’s blush.

‘Everything okay, love?’ Gertie asked.

‘I think I left my phone here,’ he said.

‘Oh, yes, you did,’ Gertie said, pulling it out from underneath her pillow.

Richard scratched his head. Had he really left it on the bed? Now that he thought about it, he was sure that he had put it back in his jacket pocket.

He took the phone and shoved it safely into his pocket.

‘Right then, I’d best be off,’ he said. His eyes were glued to his feet. He wasn’t sure why, but it felt strange to be in his grandmother’s room with Laura. Almost as if he was a guest.

Laura rose quickly from the bed and picked up her bag from the floor. ‘Oh, please don’t leave on my account. I was about to head off home anyway.’

‘Well, that’s just perfect, as Richard can walk you home. He can tell you all about the secret-camera idea.’

He stared with wide, disbelieving eyes. Had Gertie orchestrated this? Had she deliberately hidden his phone, knowing that he would come back only to find Laura in the room? Surely she wasn’t that manipulative? But as he stared at his grandmother, he caught the spark in her eye.

Richard turned his attention to Laura, now busy fumbling with her jacket. ‘Well, I’m walking your way, so why not?’

Laura opened her mouth to reply, but Gertie cut in.

‘We need to find out whoever is behind this, so you two have a good chat.’

He bent down to plant a kiss on Gertie’s cheek and said, ‘I love you,’ before giving her a stern look as if to say I know your game .

‘Richard,’ Gertie said just as he reached the door. ‘Why don’t you go for a quick drink?’

He heard the hiss of breath as Laura gasped at this suggestion, but all he could do was laugh. Gertie was sitting bolt upright, grinning at him. He stepped aside to let Laura through the door and gently closed it behind them.

He shook his head and turned to face Laura. ‘Do you fancy a quick drink then?’