Ramsey Campbell by The Last Voice They Hear

Author:The Last Voice They Hear
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-02T13:16:07+00:00

thirty-five

He was emerging from the phone booth in the alcove off the hall when Mrs. Minken accosted him. She lowered her square head, giving him even more of a view of her permed auburn hair foaming over it like beer out of a tankard, to gaze expectantly at him. “Is your wife missing the family, Mr. Reaper?”

“Call me Ted, won’t you? She’s hoping she can join us later in the week.”

“That would be happiest, wouldn’t it? What did you say she did?”

“She’s a carer. Some people won’t be happy till everyone has one.”

“She ought to be given her break when she booked it, all the same. Can’t someone take over for her while she comes away?”

“Some of these cases get to know the person they’re assigned and won’t have anyone else.”

“They oughtn’t to be let expect so much, should they? I’ll say no more, I see you’re keeping your thoughts in. Is the little soldier missing his mam?”

“I’m doing my best to make sure he doesn’t.”

“You could have a handicap at that and still come out the winner. He’s a credit to you. A little credit, aren’t you? A credit to your dad.”

“Mrs. Minken is saying you’re a good boy, Ben.”

“Ben.”

“Ben, that’s right. That’s your name.”

“Isn’t he a treasure. Doesn’t say much, but when he does it’s as clear as the news on the telly. I wish all the kiddies we’ve had staying were like him. Put you off your Sunday roast, it would, some of the language we’ve heard and the mess we’ve had to clear up after them. Does he speak up for himself more when he’s in the mood?”

“He’s learning at his own pace. I’m teaching him all the time. As you say, we wouldn’t want him coming out with things we don’t want to hear.”

“I didn’t mean a word against him or you either. Is he a bit tired as well? Is that part of why he’s so quiet?”

“I think you could be on to something, Mrs. Minken.”

“And I hope you won’t mind me opening my mouth a bit further, but you look as though you could do with some sleep too.”

“I’ve been driving quite a way of late. That’s my business, long-distance transport. I’m hoping to catch up on my rest before I have to get going again.”

“What must you think I’m thinking of? Don’t let me keep either of you from your beds.” She stooped to tickle the toddler under the chin. “You’re the image of your father,” she said.

“Thank you for reminding me, Mrs. Minken.” As the hotel landlady vanished into the basement kitchen he used the club attached to the room-key to prod the toddler onto the stairs beneath the teardrop chandelier too large for the hall. “Up you scrabble,” he murmured. “Nobody’s making you do anything you don’t want to do, are they? Can you hear the television? You can watch mine when we’re in the room.”

On the middle floor the child tramped straight to the room at the front of the building.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.