Counting Sunsets

by Paul Gait

  ‘Perhaps, but he’ll need a lot of encouragement though.’

  ‘I appreciate that and it’ll take some time, He’ll have some setbacks, I’m sure.’

  ‘At least he’s trying,’ she added.

  ‘Kay, I don’t know how to put this, but I’ll say it anyway.’

  ‘What? ‘Kay said, intrigued.

  ‘Something you said the other day.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘About Tim, being…being my son.’

  ‘No, that was just a slip of the tongue,’ Kay said quickly. ‘I meant Godson. Don’t read anything in to it.’

  ‘But …at your reception…we….’

  ‘No don’t. Please don’t bring that up. Its best left in the past. It was a stupid mistake. We were both drunk and…’

  ‘I know. Sorry, but the dates…’

  ‘Forget it,’ said Kay clearly getting upset. ‘You’re not his father. Period.’

  ‘Right, OK, but…’

  ‘No Geoffery. Let’s change the subject shall we?’ she said firmly, desperately trying to steer the conversation away. ‘What about you? Did you ever marry? Have any children?’

  ‘I couldn’t find anyone who wanted me for me. They were just after my money. Except there was one special lady, who I…but that’s all in the past,’ he said, looking at Nadine’s photograph. ‘Children? Not that I’m aware of unless…’

  ‘No. Trust me,’ Kay said firmly.

  ‘Why did George leave you?’

  ‘I’d prefer not to rake that up again, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘I’m just curious that’s all,’ Geoffery said, fishing for information to supplement the reports he’d received from the Investigators.

  ‘Because…um…He just couldn’t cope with a toddler without legs.’

  ‘I can understand that. It must have been terrible.’

  ‘When Tim was born, he dreamt of playing football with him, and he was devastated when…after the operations. He just couldn’t get his head around it.’

  ‘So instead of staying to support his family, he took off and left you to bring up Tim by yourself. It must have been awful?’

  ‘It was hard. The worse thing was not having anybody to turn to, a shoulder to cry on, when things got tough. It was heartbreaking seeing Tim crawling around like a baby again, but he just accepted it, and quickly adapted to having no legs. He and another toddler used to hop around and chase each other around the waiting room, by bouncing on their bottoms. It was as if they didn’t have a care in the world. He was a nice little boy. But it all changed when he became a teenager, and then he became morose and sullen.’

  ‘Sounds like any typical teenager. The trouble is, it looks like he never grew out of that phase though.’

  ‘It was my guilt that was so hard for me to bear.’

  ‘Guilt?’

  ‘I live with the daily reminder of it. If only I had been….’

  ‘Been what?’

  ‘I failed him Geoff.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Well if I’d spotted it sooner.’

  ‘No, we’ve already had this discussion! Put that thought out of your mind.’

  ‘Anyway, you’re right. That’s all in the past,’ she said composing herself.

  ‘That’s what I want to hear. This is YOU time. Kay’s time. You will be doing him a greater service, by letting him do his own thing, while you concentrate on your own interests.’

  ‘I’ll try. I really will.’

  ‘Good girl,’ he said, giving her hand a squeeze.

  ‘Anyway, I’ll go now. I don’t want to tire you out,’ she said thoughtfully.

  ‘Are you sure? You don’t have to. I’m enjoying your company.’

  ‘Yes. If I hurry, I can get the bus from outside,’ she said standing, giving him a peck on the cheek. ‘But if you like, I’ll come to see you again.’

  ‘That would be great. Thanks for the flowers. They’re lovely. Just like you.’

  ‘I see you’ve still got your silver tongue,’ she said smiling.

  Kay left, closing the door quietly behind her.

  Geoffery picked up the report that he had been reading before she arrived. It was her divorce papers. He’d just read the entry; ‘reason for divorce’; Adultery. George was recorded as the ‘innocent party’. The co-respondent recorded as ‘unknown’. Perhaps, she had lied to him after all. According to this information he could well be Tim’s father.

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  Thursday October 16th – Sunset count 46

  ‘Has he answered yet?’ asked Geoffery, impatiently drumming his fingers on his bedside tray.

  ‘No. It’s still going to his voicemail,’ replied Andy, returning his mobile to his pocket.

  ‘Considering she was so keen to get him involved, I’m surprised he is not contactable.’

  ‘Perhaps his phone is broken,’ Andy volunteered.

  ‘He works for a mobile phone company doesn’t he? I should have thought he would have got it sorted by now. It’s over a week.’

  ‘Perhaps we’ve got the wrong number.’

  ‘No. It’s definitely the one on his card.’

  ‘Should we dare ring their home number and hope she doesn’t reply?’

  ‘Worth a try isn’t it?’

  Geoffery opened his briefcase, and thumbed through the files until he found Rupert’s.

  ‘OK. Here we are,’ he said, handing it to Andy.

  ‘Here goes then,’ Andy dialled the number, and listened. After a few moments, Geoffery could hear that someone had answered.

  ‘Oh hello. Is that Rupert?’

  ‘Yeth.’

  ‘Hello. It’s Andy, your Uncle’s nurse. I’ll just hand you over to him now.’

  Geoffery took the mobile and pressed it to his ear.

  ‘Hello Rupert. We’ve been trying to get you on your mobile for a week now. Is there something wrong with it?’ Before he could answer, Geoffery added, ‘come to think of it, why are you at home? Are you ill?’

  ‘Yeth,’ came the reply.

  ‘Oh. That will be why then. Are you OK? You sound a bit strange.’

  ‘I’ve got a broken arm! ‘

  ‘How did you do that?’

  ‘Fell down the stairth!’

  ‘Is Sue there?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Oh good. Can we come around and see you?

  ‘Well, I’m not sure,’ Rupert said reluctantly.

  ‘I don’t mean to push you, but as you realise, time is of a premium for me.’

  ‘Well, I guess you’d better come around then,’ Rupert capitulated.

  ‘OK, we’ll be there shortly.’

  Andy drove Geoffery to the address in Gloucester. A very battered looking Rupert answered the door.

  ‘Ouch! You did take a tumble didn’t you? Looks like you bounced all the way down the stairs on your face. When did this happen?’

  ‘Lathd week,’ lisped Rupert, revealing a broken front tooth.

  ‘What! After you’d been to see us?’

  ‘Yeth.’

  Rupert led the trio into the dining room and invited the others to sit down.

  ‘We need to be quick, before Sue gets back, otherwise she’ll…she’ll…’ said Rupert painfully; a hint of fear in his voice.

  ‘Are you hurting?’ Geoffery asked concerned.

  ‘Yeth.’

  ‘Did the Doctor prescribe any painkillers?’ Andy asked.

  ‘Yeth, but Sue has taken them,’ Rupert said wincing.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Don’t know.’

  ‘Well you can have one of mine. I’ve got plenty. Geoffery said, digging into his coat pocket. ‘Oh, there’s a couple left in this box I get from the Hospice. You can have these,’ he said, giving Rupert the box.

  Rupert took the box and removed a tablet from the foil and swallowed it quickly.

  ‘Sorry Geoffery, You can’t do that. You can’t swop tablets around like that. They’re not smarties.’ Andy said
firmly.

  ‘But the guy’s in pain.’

  ‘Then he needs to get his own medication. These are strong ones, specifically prescribed for you and your condition.’

  ‘Nonsense. They’re painkillers and he’s in pain.’

  ‘I won’t have anything to do with it.’ Andy said walking away.

  ‘Don’t worry, nobody will know. Now Rupert, the reason we’re here is…..’

  ‘I’m concerned that she’ll back shortly and will be very cross that I let you in,’ he said nervously.

  ‘OK, we’ll be quick. Let’s forget this nonsense about you wanting to build a ‘granny flat’ for Sue’s Osteoporosis, shall we?’ said Geoffery, mesmerised by the bruises on Rupert’s face. ‘I’m here to offer you, not her, some help. You’ve had a few days to think about it. How can I help, apart from getting rid of your….’

  Geoffery stopped, as a key turned in the lock, and the front door opened.

  ‘Too late,’ said Andy. ‘The noise machine, has returned.’

  ‘You’ll have to go,’ whispered a frightened Rupert. ‘Please.’

  ‘But we’ve only just arrived,’ said Geoffery, surprised by Rupert’s insistence.

  ‘Please,’ Rupert pleaded.

  ‘Rupert, have you done the..?’ Sue stopped in mid-sentence, as she entered the dining room, and saw Geoffery and Andy.

  ‘Oh hello,’ Sue said, softening her voice. ‘I wondered whose car it was outside. Well, what do you think of poor Rupert? You can see he’s been in the wars; fell down the stairs didn’t you dear?’

  ‘Yeth,’ confirmed Rupert, turning his gaze to the carpet.

  ‘What brings you here?’ Sue continued.

  ‘We….we a …..’ Geoffery said, hoping for an inspiration to explain their presence.

  ‘We were just passing, so thought we’d pop in and say hello,’ Andy said quickly.

  ‘Yes, but I’ve got an appointment back at the hospice now, so we can’t stop,’ said Geoffery. ‘Rupert was just going to show us out. Weren’t you Rupert?’

  ‘Was I ?…Yeth, that’s right, I was.’

  ‘I’ll do that dear. I know you’re still a bit stiff from your fall,’ said Sue forcefully.

  ‘We don’t want to bother you Sue. The walking will help his bruised muscles,’ said Andy, helping Rupert to his feet.

  ‘Umm,’ said Sue suspiciously. ‘When will we see you next, to continue our discussions?’

  ‘Soon,’ said Geoffery over his shoulder. ‘I’ll be in touch shortly.’

  The three men reached the front door, leaving Sue behind.

  ‘Call us on your mobile, when the coast is clear,’ Andy whispered.

  ‘I can’t. She’s got it. She’s locked it away somewhere.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Geoffery, puzzled.

  Rupert’s response was not forthcoming, as Sue was making her way towards them.

  ‘OK, we’re off then,’ said Andy quickly.

  The door closed quickly behind them. Sue could be heard shouting at Rupert, as Geoffery and Andy walked to the car.

  ‘What do you think’s going on there?’ Andy said.

  ‘Don’t know. But did he fall, or was he pushed?’ said Geoffery, buckling his seat belt.

  ‘I think you’ve found out how you can help Rupert,’ Andy said, pulling the car back into the traffic.

  ‘I think you’re right,’ Geoffery said. ‘I shall have to think of some way to make it happen though.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Friday October 24th – Sunset count 54

  The phone in Geoffery’s room rang, startling him.

  ‘Geoffery?’

  ‘Is that you Andy?’ Geoffery asked.

  ‘Yes. Sorry to disturb you. But I had a call from the School earlier. Ben hasn’t been at any of his classes for three days. I’ve just been to his house and his Mother says he has run away. Apparently, she’s had several phone calls from him, but he won’t say where he is.

  ‘What about the hut?’ Geoffery suggested.

  ‘No. That’s the first place I looked. It doesn’t appear that he’s been staying there either. There’s no sign of cooking or anything?’ Andy added.

  ‘Can you think of any reason for him running away?’

  ‘He had a run-in with the law recently.’

  ‘The police! Why? What happened?’

  ‘The kids have this stupid game they call ‘blitzing’.’

  ‘Blitzing!’

  ‘Yes. They ride their bikes along the pavement, behind a pedestrian, and rush past just missing them. If they get a reaction, they score maximum points.’

  ‘What a stupid thing to do.’

  ‘Well, following a complaint from one of the neighbours, I’d already spoken to the Scouts, including Ben, about riding on the pavement. Unfortunately, it appears, they ignored me, and consequently, Ben ran into an old man.

  ‘Why the hell would they do it?’

  ‘To startle the ‘victim’. The kids think it’s funny..’

  ‘Funny that is, until somebody gets hurt! So was the person badly hurt?’

  ‘Not really. More shocked than anything. But he is in his late seventies, and the shock alone could have killed him.’

  ‘So were the Police involved?’

  ‘Yes. Unfortunately for Ben. They were close by when it happened, and they mounted a bit of a manhunt.’

  ‘Bit over the top wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, they even had the Police helicopter up, to try and track him down.’

  ‘What a waste of money.’

  ‘Well eventually they got him, took him down the station and gave him a good bollocking.’

  ‘Did they charge him?’

  ‘No. They were waiting for the old man, to see if he wanted to press charges.’

  ‘So in the meantime, Ben has done a runner?’

  ‘Yes. The annoying thing is, I gather, the old man would have been happy, just to have had an apology. He’s a Grandfather and knows that all kids do stupid things once in a while. He said he was young once; so he didn’t bear any malice.’

  ‘Nice to hear.’

  ‘But inspite of his Mother’s assurance, that the old man wasn’t going to make a complaint, Ben still won’t come back.’

  ‘Why ever not?’

  ‘She said Ben was ashamed, because he’d let me down,’ Andy said. ‘Apparently he was worried about what I’d say!’

  ‘Blimey! I thought he was a tough nut,’ Geoffery said, surprised.

  ‘That’s just an act he puts on. No, he’s a very sensitive young man. Anyway, I assured her that I wasn’t cross and asked her, if he rang again, to tell Ben to phone me.’

  ‘Obviously, he hasn’t rung you.’

  ‘No. I’m afraid not.’

  ‘Is there any way I can help?’

  ‘I appreciate you have your own issues, dealing with your Godsons. But it would be a great help if you could, perhaps, get your Private Investigators on the case.’

  ‘I don’t think that will be a problem. I’m pleased you asked.’

  ‘Wherever he is, I’m very concerned. There are a lot of nasty people out there.’

  ‘OK. Do you have a photo of him?’

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. He always made himself scarce when the cameras came out.’

  ‘What about school photos?’

  ‘His mother tells me, she couldn’t afford them.’

  ‘Holiday photos?’

  ‘She seldom takes him on holiday.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a nuisance. Well, we’ll just have to go with a description then.’

  ‘Yes. Sorry.’

  ‘Hang on a second; I’ve got a photo of him on my phone, haven’t I?’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I took it when I was in the car waiting for you. It was when you had gone into your house, to collect your family for the christening. You know, when I, mistakenly, thought Ben was murdering you.’

  ‘Oh, then! I didn’t realise you had taken a photo,’ said Andy, sur
prised.

  ‘Yes. Leave that with me.’

  ‘Ben doesn’t have a mobile either,’ Andy said, trying to think of another angle to track him down.

  ‘He must be one of the few kids his age who don’t.’

  ‘No. He never had any money to be able to buy one. His mother usually found any pocket money his Grandfather gave him, and she spent it on booze.’

  ‘So if we can’t track him down through his mobile records. What else is there?’

  ‘Some of the kids were saying he’s got a Facebook account, which he’s been updating.’

  ‘In that case I wonder if Rupert could help us?’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘If he’s been updating Facebook; perhaps we can track him down from that. I’ll get hold of Rupert. He’s an IT man. He’s bound to know.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘In the meantime, are you still planning to go to London to meet James?’

  ‘I’d prefer to be looking for Ben, I must confess.’

  ‘Well, until we’ve got a vague idea of where he is, it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack anyway.’

  ‘Yes I know. OK. I’ll make my way to London.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  Saturday October 25th – Sunset count 55

  Geoffery had tried calling Rupert again, but with no success on either his mobile or home phone. Still feeling frail, he decided to take a taxi to his home on the off chance that he might see him.

  Arriving at the house, unannounced, was going to be particularly eventful, if Sue was in residence. But the empty drive suggested, fortunately, that she was out.

  With great apprehension, however, Geoffery knocked on the door. But there was no movement to indicate that anybody was in. He knocked again and waited apprehensively. He stood back from the doorway and looked at all the windows to see if there were any curtains twitching. As there was no sign of movement, he slowly started making his way back to the taxi. Just as he got by the gate he heard a window open behind him.

  Rupert was looking through a narrow opening in a small ground floor window. He beckoned to Geoffery, nervously looking around all the time.

  As Geoffery got closer, he could see that the injuries to his face were worse than the previous time he had seen him.

  ‘What’s happened to you? Have you been in the wars again?’ he asked, concerned.