Kronos (Hammer) by Guy Adams

Author:Guy Adams [Adams, Guy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781446492093
Publisher: Random House UK
Published: 2011-10-06T06:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Nine

Clements Fears The Household

ONE MIGHT WONDER what sin one has committed to be in service here. Surely I must be being punished? Nobody but a sinner should have to endure Durward Hall for the rest of their days.

It has never been a happy place. Though when Lord Hagen was alive at least the house too was alive with his presence. Now it is a tomb, an echoing series of empty chambers … no, not completely empty, for certainly this place does not lack ghosts. At night the corridors are filled with the noise of movement, with the sense of someone – something – abroad.

It’s a wonder that I haven’t gone mad living here. But then, I don’t leave, so maybe that’s madness in itself. I continue in my duties, caretaker to a dead house filled with the very worst things that a man can imagine.

Perhaps it’s honour? I remember young Paul and Sara when they were first born. I have watched them grow as much as – maybe more than – their parents ever did. I have seen them go from scared children to sad adults. There are those who would not countenance their behaviour, would consider them the very worst of sinners. I don’t know. I just see two broken people who dare not love anyone else.

Not that it’s any of my business. I am here to keep the machinery of the household working: the meals on time, the fires burning, the surfaces clean. If it weren’t for me this place would be buried under dust and death. I honestly think I’m the only one who cares enough to stop that happening.

But why do I care?

I couldn’t say. It’s not as if the Durwards have treated me with any great measure of kindness. To them I am the invisible spirit of the building: I am there to be ignored. Which is as it should be, I suppose. But when a member of the household becomes part of the furniture you no longer hide your feelings from them and I see and hear it all. The tears, the threats, the pain and the violence. I feel tired and dirty just being exposed to it all. I am glad that Mrs Clements no longer has to live here. I think if she were still alive I would lead us out of the front door, never to return. It’s never so urgent when it’s just yourself, though, is it?

When Dr Marcus visits I don’t really know what to do. It’s been so long since Durward Hall had guests. My first inclination is to tell him to leave, to run back down the drive before the disease that sits at the heart of this building can place its grip on him. Dr Marcus is a good man – he shouldn’t have to be exposed to the atmosphere here.

I realise, however, that I can hardly say this. If I cannot myself understand the nature of the affliction of the building how on earth can I make the doctor understand? I can tell that he has seen in my expression something of the dilemma.

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