Old Filth by Jane Gardam

Author:Jane Gardam
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781933372136
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-12-21T06:14:27+00:00

Then, it was morning.

The goldfish were looking at his face on the pillow with inquisitive distaste. On the floor a heap of bears gave the impression of decadence. The bedside clock glared out 9.30 a.m. which filled him with shame, and he reached breakfast just in time.

“So sorry,” he said.

“That’s all right, dear. You need your sleep at your age.”

Far across the bright conservatory, where breakfast was served, bacon and eggs were being carried to Fiscal-Smith whose back was turned firmly away from all comers as he perused the Daily Telegraph. Filth changed his chair so that his back was also turned away from Fiscal-Smith. Outside, across the grey Teesside grass, stood magnificent oaks and, above them, a deep blue autumn sky and a hint of moorland, air and light. The Telegraph was beside Filth’s plate. He must have ordered it. Couldn’t read it. Not yet. Rice-Krispies.

“Oh dear no, thank you. Nothing cooked.”

“Oh, come on. Do you good.”

She brought bacon and eggs.

Why should I? thought Filth, petulant, and clattered down his knife and fork.

“I’m disappointed,” said the waitress, bringing coffee.

He drank it and looked at the oak trees and the light beyond.

Must get out of this wasteland. Not my sort of place at all. What was Babs doing here? What was I doing, coming to visit her? Rather frightening, what grief can uncover in you.

Don’t you think so, Betty? Just as well I wasn’t in the middle of a case when you went. But you’d have dealt with it. Got me through.

Remembering, then, that the cause of the grief was that she could no longer get him through anything, he gulped, shuddered, watched the oaks, as his eyes at last filled up with tears.

A hand came down on his shoulder but he did not turn. The hand was removed.

“So very sorry, old chap. So very sorry,” and Fiscal-Smith was gone.

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