Cherringham--Episode 7--9 by Neil Richards

Author:Neil Richards [Costello 1, Matthew 1, Richards 2, Neil 2]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-3-7325-0569-2
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2019-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

10. No Place Like a Home

Shirley Woods opened the door, and Sarah saw that whatever scowl she had worn previously instantly deepened at the sight of the two of them.

“God, now what the — what are you two doing back here?”

Jack, ever the diplomat when it came to potentially criminal situations, took a step closer.

“Sister Woods, we’re actually here to check up on—” he shot Sarah a glance, “an old family friend, Odelia Travers.”

“She’s fine. They’re all fine, and anyway, visiting hours are over—”

“Except,” Jack said, “for Archy Fleming.”

Wow, Sarah thought.

Jack does know how to play his cards.

And that stopped the home’s senior nurse. Then:

“Like I told the police — he was … confused. Not thinking straight. I — we can’t—”

“You know it was us who found him?” Sarah added, as if trying to give more reasons why they should come in and check on Odelia.

Then Sarah added, “Actually, I found him. Face up, in the snow. And for Odelia, for the others, we’d just like to help.”

Better to use the word “help” than the more ominous find out what the hell is going on, Sarah guessed.

A nod from the formidable Shirley Woods, and the giant door of the place slowly opened.

But before they went in she caught Jack give her a look, a smile … and Sarah realised that when it came to card-playing, she wasn’t exactly without skills herself.

They found Odelia Travers sitting in a corner of a large common room. A muted TV off to one side ran a sitcom with grinning teenagers. Other residents sat quietly at tables or on sofas, some knitting, some dozing, no one looking at the screen.

“There she is,” Shirley Woods said.

Sarah noticed the sister softening a bit — “She’s quite a girl. Even at her age, has a smile for everyone.”

“Thanks,” Sarah said.

Then: “You can see she, the others … all of them, are perfectly fine.”

Shirley Woods walked away. And Sarah, taking the lead, walked over to Odelia. Jack stayed back a bit.

The old woman looked so tiny; sitting all bundled up by the window, looking out at the snow, now glistening in sunlight. She had a napkin between her gnarled fingers that had been twisted and turned, shredding.

“Mrs. Travers?” Sarah said quietly.

The woman turned away from the window, her face immediately confused. Sarah looked at Jack. A small nod there.

“Mrs. Travers, how are you? It’s me, Sarah Edwards.” Then, like a light switch coming on, the old woman’s face brightened, eyes widening. “Sarah, my Beth’s Sarah, yes?”

Now it was Sarah’s turn to smile. “Yes, it is. Glad you remembered.”

“You two …” she kept grinning, “as thick as thieves. I seem to remember that you like those little muffins I baked.”

Sarah laughed. “You bet I did. Raisins, butter …”

“Piping hot!” the woman said, looking away as if she could picture herself pulling a tray of muffins out of the oven for her granddaughter and her best friend.

“Mrs. Travers, I was wondering if … we could talk to you a bit?”

Only now did Odelia take in Jack, standing a few feet to the side.

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