Misguided Attraction by Mike Connor

Author:Mike Connor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary fiction
Publisher: Matador
Published: 2023-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Ten

What A Picture

Friday 29 June

Sally felt bad for her boss, Mandy. There was a staff shortage. Lionel and Kelly were not available for three months. Lionel had entered into a science fair event in America and Kelly was going with him. A motion sensor microwave was the invention he was entering. There was a huge pile of metal debris behind the shed, which Lionel insisted he’d got from the local tip. Nobody believed him.

Sally found that Gresmer the robot had been left behind. Gresmer acted like one of the residents, sitting in one of the chairs in the main television lounge watching the screen and heckling. The robot wore a pair of trousers, shirt and pullover, but his big head and eyes made him stand out anyway. His charging unit was in the shed and he would go back every night at ten, returning in time for breakfast.

The residents seemed to like and accept him. Sally convinced Mandy and Geoff to let him stay; Lionel shouldn’t have left him behind.

“He’s no trouble. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Sally offered, wanting to make up for what she believed to be her own lack of care.

Gresmer hobbled about, so Sally helped him to a chair.

“Gresmer is poorly. Poorly is the current state of Gresmer.”

Sally patted his arm. “Don’t worry, you’re going to be okay.”

“Gresmer was abandoned and is alone. Abandoned and alone is the current status of Gresmer.”

Sally felt awful. “Oh no, you’ll be okay. You sit down and watch some TV.”

Gresmer made a sniffling noise. “Gresmer would like a cup of oil. A cup of oil is required for Gresmer.”

“Don’t you fret, I’m right on it.” Sally settled him in the chair and then nipped off to find some oil.

Beryl leaned over and smiled. “Oh, a newbie. Welcome.”

Betty stood up and offered Gresmer her hand. “Do we welcome him, Beryl? Do we?”

“Yes. Shake his hand.”

(Gresmer was cleverer than he made out. He had secretly altered Lionel’s instructions. He was supposed to be a member of staff, a gift to help the home. Upon seeing the stress levels of the staff, the robot had decided the residents had it better.)

“Gresmer is a resident. Resident of Lompear is the new status of Gresmer.”

HOME OPTICIANS

Most of the residents could not be taken to a high street optician for a sight test. They were too elderly, or were either verbally aggressive or simply could not behave in a suitable manner. Being outside of their home sometimes caused a trigger in behaviour that was undesirable.

The domiciliary firm that usually came out had gone bust, which left Mandy in the position of finding a replacement. Many of her elder residents resisted change, which could cause further problems.

“Nothing in my life is straightforward,” she moaned loudly, with the office door left open, plus the kitchen and dining room doors ajar; she ensured at least somebody heard her woes.

Sally popped into the office. “Something wrong, Mrs Andros?” It was a silly question of course, but one she had to ask; keeping the boss happy was everyone’s priority.

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