Had he said they were married, or was it just something Jake had inferred? Jake realised, now he thought about it, that during the conversation with Arnold over the phone, and when he’d met him, he couldn’t actually remember Arnold saying Martha was his wife – not once. Jake rubbed his temple again, still as confused as ever. ‘So, who was the guy visiting Martha?’
‘Ah, I remember now. Old Arnold,’ said Lawrence. ‘He visited often.’
‘Yes, Arnold Wright.’ Jake looked at him hopefully.
‘Now I’m with you.’
Thank you, god, thought Jake. Things were finally making some sense.
‘Little guy with white hair. Used to be one of her neighbours, I believe, before she moved here. The nurses chat. He had a bit of a thing for her, apparently.’
‘Yes.’ Jake couldn’t hide his relief. Out of interest, Jake asked, ‘Did she have any other visitors?’
‘I don’t know, as I’m on the other reception. But I can tell you this; I’m going to be pricking my ears up if I hear of any tall, slim well-dressed older gentleman visiting Martha.’ He winked at Jake knowingly.
Jake could only marvel at his own short-sightedness. It hadn’t occurred to Jake, when he’d showed Lawrence the photograph, that Aubrey had just lost his anonymity. Jake tried not to thinkabout that. If and when Aubrey next visited his sister, he could bet Lawrence would be watching very closely, and that after more than forty years of carefully guarding his secret, the truth would be out.
Jake tried not to think about that right now. ‘About Arnold – I need to see him,’ Jake persisted. ‘Can you give me an address, or do you know when he plans to make his next visit? You see I need to talk to him about …’ Jake decided not to mention the photos again. ‘About something.’
‘Look, I’m really sorry but …’
Jake anticipated what he was going to say about confidentiality. ‘I know, I know, you can’t give me that information, but it’s really important that I—’
‘No, I can tell you – that’s the thing.’
Jake looked at him perplexed.
Lawrence seemed to be choosing his words carefully. ‘Arnold passed away.’
‘He died?’ Jake thought of that vibrant man who had been sitting in Lawrence’s seat just yesterday. Jake shook his head in wonder at how precarious life was; one moment you’re here, the next you’re gone. Eleanor brushed past him in his memory. ‘He was a picture of health yesterday – what happened? Was it an accident?
‘Yesterday?’ Lawrence repeated. ‘Hold on, I think we’re talking at cross purposes. I assumed you were talking about a visit you made here a while back.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He took sick and died suddenly within a short time of being admitted here,’ said Lawrence. ‘The name escaped me because he was only here a short while, and it was some time ago now.’
‘Some time ago?’ Jake said with a start. ‘How long, exactly?’
‘I’d have to check on my computer – my memory is definitely not what it used to be. A year – give or take; it was aroundthe time I started my new position on reception. Unfortunately, that’s when Martha started to go downhill. Ironic, isn’t it? He was the healthy one visiting her, and then he goes just like that,’ Lawrence clicked his fingers, ‘and she’s still here.’
Jake felt sick to his stomach.
Lawrence looked at him. ‘Hey son,’ he put a hand on Jake’s arm, ‘you’ve gone awful pale all of a sudden.’
Jake got up from his chair on unsteady legs. ‘I want you to go look on your computer – I want to see …’
‘Now look,’ Lawrence got out of his chair. ‘I can’t be showing you confidential records.’
‘Please, Lawrence, this is really important – matter of life and death because …’ Jake really didn’t know how to say this without sounding completely insane. ‘I think I had a conversation yesterday, right here in this room, with a dead man.’
Lawrence stared at him a long moment. Finally, he said, ‘I’ll go and call up the record.’
Jake, who had been holding his breath without even realising it, breathed out and took in a couple of rapid gulps of air before following Lawrence to the door.
Lawrence opened the door and then abruptly halted, sending Jake careering into his back. For an instant, Jake thought he had changed his mind.
Lawrence turned around. ‘Come with me.’
