Sing Me To Sleep by Chris Simms

Author:Chris Simms [Simms, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-12-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Laura wanted to curl up in a ball; the way they were all looking at her was awful. Appalled, bemused, outraged. Behind her, the parrot let out a low, rumbling squawk of disapproval. Who’s a naughty girl, then?

The woman who’d been doing most of the speaking so far was, Laura gathered, the duty manager. Next to her was Denise. She was the one who looked most outraged. The staff member who’d led William away from Lantern Cottage had also appeared, summoned from her bed, judging from her puffy-eyed appearance.

‘I’m sorry.’ Laura’s hands were clasped before her. ‘I had no idea he would get so agitated.’

‘You asked him about his recently deceased mother,’ the duty manager replied. ‘Exactly what did you expect?’

‘I didn’t mean to...’ There was no point trying to explain herself. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘And you deceived us. It’s tempting to call the police.’

‘I didn’t deceive you. I can teach dance. I’d like to –’ ‘That’s definitely not going to happen now, she realised. It was written large across all their faces. ‘I’d better go.’

‘Yes, you had.’ The duty manager looked at the staff member who’d taken William back to his room. ‘How is he now?’

‘He’s OK. I made him some hot chocolate. He’s gone to sleep.’

Sleep, Laura thought. Twee-pies leap. That’s what William said at the bottom of the stairs. Tweetie Pie’s asleep. He’d pressed his forefinger to his lips. Don’t wake up Tweetie Pie; that’s what he meant!

‘Good.’ The duty manager turned to Laura once more. ‘Why did you do it?’

Otherwise, Laura thought, the bad person would come. She started to lift a hand, the effort almost too much. ‘Because...he said something to me when he was in our house. I needed to know what it was.’

The woman looked mystified by her answer. ‘So you trick your way in here and demand that a very vulnerable person explains himself to you? He has the mind of a young child! What you did was disgraceful.’

They were all glaring at her. She bowed her head. ‘It wasn’t the first time he’s been back.’

That took the wind out of the duty-manager’s sails. ‘Pardon?’

Laura nodded. ‘He’s been out to the cottage before. I found a box of the raisins he likes in our garden. Plant pots have been moved. I’ve heard him coughing out there, in the night.’

The duty-manager looked at the lady who worked the night shift. ‘Louise?’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ Louise stated, looking at Laura. ‘She didn’t make that claim when I came to collect him.’

The duty manager shook her head. Her voice now had a pitying tone. ‘I’m sorry. It’s best you go. Please leave.’

Laura saw it was futile. They don’t want to listen to me. She retreated towards the doors which sprang open behind her. Sunlight flooded the floor at her feet. ‘Please tell him I’m sorry.’ She turned round and stepped out into the brightness beyond.

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