by Paul Gait
It had transported him back to the many occasions, when he had undressed her before.
He gazed at her long neck, the naked shoulders, and the white skin that he had kissed and caressed so many times before.
‘Are you done?’ she said, as the zip reached the end of its travel.
‘Yes,’ he muttered, his voice thick with desire.
She turned, holding the dress up to preserve her modesty. Lifting herself up on tip toe, she gave him a kiss on the nose but stayed there, looking deep into his eyes. His desire telegraphed to her. She reached up, putting her arms tightly around his neck. They kissed hungrily. He felt her pulling her body away from him, allowing the wedding dress to slide to the floor.
It had been a frantic, passionate and drunken session, which they had immediately regretted.
He had left her in tears, as the realisation of what had occurred dawned on her. Adultery on her wedding day, was not the best start to an enduring marriage. Full of remorse, he had left the rectory without going back to the reception, later claiming that he’d gone home early because he’d drunk too much.
Over the next twelve months, he had deliberately kept out of her life. Ashamed at what had happened, feeling guilty about spoiling her special day. He was therefore surprised to receive an invitation, to the Christening of Kay and George’s son, Tim. He was even more surprised and uncomfortable to get a phone call a few days later from George to ask him if he would be a Godfather. George had apologised for the short notice but told him the original choice of Godfather was going to be away for work.
Tim was then, just three months old.
Geoffery was torn about whether to go or not, let alone accepting the Godfather role, but it was because of George’s insistence that he finally agreed.
It was an uncomfortable event for Kay and Geoffery. This had been the first time he’d been anywhere near her since the incident at the wedding. Except for the embarrassed silence, when they were forced to stand together for the obligatory Christening photographs, they had deliberately gone out their way to avoid each other.
Having made his Godfathers promises, to help and guide Timothy spiritually, he stayed only long enough to pose for the usual photographs. Then he left, without going to the pub to ‘wet the baby’s head’, telling George, he had a business deal to clinch.
That had been the last time that he had seen Kay and Tim, until now, over three decades later. It had been hard at first, keeping her out of his thoughts. But as he channelled all his energies into his various business ventures, memories of the times they had together faded. Eventually, having become a multi-millionaire, he moved to Monaco and a very different lifestyle.
But now the past was coming back to haunt him. Perhaps he would be doing more for Tim than he had originally intended.
He had spoilt her special day then, thirty seven years later, he wondered if he could ever make up for his misdemeanor.
The sound of Tim’s key in the door, brought their discussions to a premature end.
CHAPTER FORTY TWO
The door banged noisily against the doorstop, announcing Tim was back from the ‘gym.’
‘Is that food on the table?’ he bellowed from the hall, removing his coat.
‘We have got to sort this out,’ Geoffery said conspiratorially. ‘Is he or isn’t he my son?’
‘Please Geoffery. Just leave it. It doesn’t matter. It’s too late to change things now. Let sleeping dogs lie,’ Kay whispered.
‘This is a big thing for me Kay. I need to know,’ he pleaded.
‘Please Geoff, please,’ she replied, eyes brimming.
‘I’m not sure if I can.’
‘Please!’
Her pleading touched him, undermined his intent to get the truth from her today.
‘OK. Just for your sake,’ Geoffery lied. ‘Just for you.’
However, he was determined to continue his investigations. Until he knew. Once and for all.
‘Thanks,’ Kay said and kissed him on the cheek.
‘Oh. Is it that time?’ Geoffery said loudly, glancing at his watch.
‘Yes. I have to get Tim’s dinner on too,’ said Kay flustered. ‘Or he’ll be in a strop all day.’
‘OK. I’ll chat to him while you’re getting it. My taxi is due shortly, anyway.’
‘You don’t need to go just yet. You’re quite welcome to have some food with us.’
‘No. It’s OK. But thanks anyway. I’ll need to get back for my afternoon rest.’
‘Of course!’
‘I can’t smell that dinner. You’d better have it on the table,’ shouted Tim shuffling into the room.
Geoffery was pleased to see that he was walking, rather than in his wheelchair.
‘Oh. I see he’s back,’ he said, spotting Geoffery.
‘Yes. Sorry Tim. Dinner’s going to be a bit late. We had things to discuss.’
‘You know I always have my dinner at this time,’ he said belligerently.
‘You’ll just have to be patient today, then won’t you,’ said Kay, disappearing in to the kitchen.
Tim shuffled slowly over to his games console. His ambling gait, reminding Geoffery of the extent of his disability, and the difficulty of the challenge he’d set. He wondered if he had given Tim, mission impossible, after all.
‘Sorry Tim, it’s my fault. I kept your mother talking.’
‘S’alright,’ Tim said, switching on the games monitor.
‘So, what do you think of the challenge I’ve given you?
‘S’alright.’
‘I gather you don’t think much of it?’
‘What’s that stupid cow been saying?’
‘Your Mother is not a stupid cow,’ Geoffery remonstrated.
‘What’s it to you, what I call her?’
‘I suggest you start being a bit more polite about her.’
‘Why should I?’
‘She might not always be around for you. So I suggest, that you show her some appreciation for what she does for you.’
‘Hmmm.’
‘Anyway, this challenge. I know you can do it,’ Geoffery said encouragingly, although far from convinced in his own mind.
‘What! Climb Ben Nevis? No chance,’ Tim said dismissively.
‘If you’re determined to do it. You can succeed.’
‘Yeah?’ Tim said, only half listening, whilst gazing at his games console.
‘Yes really. Determination. That’s the way that I got my business to the point where it is today.’
‘What, climbing Ben Nevis?’ Tim said flippantly.
‘No. Just with the desire to succeed. That’s all you need.’
‘Yeah, but you had all your limbs. I’m handicapped. All because of that stupid cow,’ Tim said vehemently.
‘Do you realise what that lady has done for you all your life?’ Geoffery said angrily.
‘The only thing I know is, she lost me my legs.’
‘No. Septicaemia did that to you.’
‘Yeah! But if she’d spotted it…’
‘Earlier? I’m sure the doctors would tell you, that once you had the virus, there was nothing anybody could have done to stop the awful effects of the disease.’
‘But if she’d…’
‘Can you imagine the trauma? What it was like for her, watching the blood poisoning getting worse in her little baby, and not being able to do anything about it?’
‘No.’
‘Well. The next time you want to abuse your mother. You think about it. At least you’ve got your life. Use it. Enjoy it. Don’t waste your time on self-pity. Get on with it.’
‘Get on with it?’ Do you know what it’s been like growing up with no legs? I have pain where my toes should be. I can’t get a woman because the thought of having sex with an amputee appals them. And you tell me to get on with my life.’
‘You’ve got a future ahead of you, if you get off your fat ass and do something with It. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself,’ said Geoffery ang
rily.
Have you ever heard of the three inch barrier?’
‘No!’
‘Well the next time you’re out, see how many pavements don’t have lowered sections for wheelchairs.’
‘But they’re addressing that now, with this equal access act.’
‘Yeah, now they are. But there was no such thing as the Disability Discrimination Act when I was growing up.’
‘In any case, you have prosthetic legs.’
‘I can’t wear them all the time.’
‘Can’t or won’t?’
‘Listen. Do you know why I like going to these American diners, such a lot…’
‘No wonder you’re overweight,’ Geoffery thought.
‘Because they kneel down, when they take your order. We have eye to eye contact. They’re not looking down at me, all the bloody time. I get fed up talking to people’s belly buttons.’
‘Then you should use your legs more. Instead of getting your mother to manhandle that, bloody wheelchair.’
‘I’m not going to listen to this crap. Who do you think you are? My father!’
Considering the previous conversation with Kay, this question rattled Geoffery.
‘If I was your father, things might have been different,’ Geoffery said, thoughtfully.
‘Yeah well, thankfully, you’re not.’
‘No. Think yourself lucky.’
‘I gather your cancer thing, is pretty serious. So how long do you reckon you’ve got?’ Tim said insensitively.
Unphased by Tim’s question, Geoffery said ‘I don’t know. But I do know that in the time I’ve got left, I’m going to do something with it. You’ve got lots of time. Don’t waste the opportunity.’
‘Opportunity! What bloody opportunity? You don’t know anything about the problems of not having legs.’
‘People have climbed Everest without legs.’
‘Yeah? Well, that’s all television bullshit.’
‘I think you’ll find it was real. One guy was fitted with carbon fibre legs from the knee down.’
‘Well, that would be no good for me. Look! No knees,’ Tim said, thumping his prosthetic thigh.
‘The guy had crampons fitted and made it to the summit,’ Geoffery continued, ignoring Tim’s negativity.
‘Hooray for him.’
‘What I thought was a nice touch to the story, was that many of his climbing colleagues suffered from frost bitten toes, and of course he didn’t.’
‘Tell you what! I bet, he would have preferred to have had frozen toes rather than no legs.’
‘What about that Olympic runner? How fast can he run on those blades?’
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before.’
‘Look. You’ve had a lifetime of coping without legs.’
‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,’ Tim said interrupting.
‘Have you ever thought of helping other people, who have the same problem? What about children who also have lost limbs due to Meningitis? What about the soldiers who have recently lost limbs?’
‘What?’
‘What about doing something for the Meningitis Trust?’
‘What? Rattling tins at a supermarket?’
‘No. The Meningitis Trust do sponsored walks,’ Geoffery persisted. ’It’s called the ‘Five valleys walk’. The route follows footpaths around Stroud. It’s over 21 miles, in some of the loveliest Cotswold countryside. It would be good practice for your real challenge.’
‘Just because I’ve lost my legs, doesn’t make me some kind of bloody missionary or do-gooder.’
‘Well you ought to do something, to get off your fat backside, and become less of a burden to your mother.’
‘Piss off. I don’t want a frigging job right. I’ve had enough of this crap,’ Tim said, throwing down the games controller angrily. Slowly he struggled to his feet and shuffled towards the door. ‘I’ve already told you, I’m not doing this bloody challenge.’
‘That’s up to you,’ Geoffery said, calling his bluff. ‘Just remember, the terms of my will.’
‘Anyway,’ said Tim, suddenly realising that his belligerent stance was likely to cost him his inheritance. ‘I’m in bloody agony just walking around the gym. You should see the state of my stumps,’ he said, looking pained.
‘I could arrange to get you refitted with more suitable prosthetics,’ Geoffery offered.
A knock on the door, announced that the Geoffery’s taxi had arrived.
‘Just remember what I said,’ he said standing. ‘You can do it. Just set your mind on the end game. It won’t be easy. But then nothing worth having in life is. Kay my taxi has arrived. I’m off,’ Geoffery called, making his way to the front door.
Kay came out of the kitchen and escorted him to the taxi.
‘When will you tell him?’ Geoffery asked.
‘Soon,’ Kay said. ‘Soon.’
‘Good girl,’ said Geoffery. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘I already am,’ she said distantly.
‘You must be strong, You’ll have to be firm.’
‘But…’
‘But nothing. He needs to change his lifestyle. He needs to become an independent man. It will be hard at the start, but I know you can do it.’
‘Yes…I…OK.’
‘That’s my girl,’ Geoffery said, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a lingering hug.
CHAPTER FORTY THREE
Kay shut the front door and closed her eyes, trying to compose her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she joined Tim in the lounge, for what she knew would be a stormy session.
‘What are you doing sniffing around him?’ he demanded, as she entered.
‘What do you mean?
‘Getting your hair done, poshing yourself up. Don’t think I haven’t noticed,’ Tim said cynically.
‘Because I want to. It’s got nothing to do with you.’
‘Yes it has. If you’ve tried to get some of my inheritance…’
‘What!’
‘I know what you’re up to.’
‘Do you? Do you really? she said angrily. ‘Then you probably know that I’m going on holiday, to Italy.’
‘Italy! I don’t want to go to bloody spaghetti land.’
‘I don’t care what you want! You’re not coming.’
‘What! We always go together.’
‘Well. Not this time.’
‘But. Who will push my chair?’
‘I’m sure you’ll find some way of getting around. Like, walking for a change.’
‘He’s put you up to this hasn’t he? Ever since he came into our life, he’s spoilt everything.’
‘May be for you Tim. But he’s made me realise, what a fool I’ve been all these years. From now on, you’ll start doing your own things, going your own way. I’m not always going to be around, so you’ve got to become independent of me.’
‘What?’
‘I’ve sheltered you for too long. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I realise what a selfish man I’ve brought up.’
‘You owe me.’
‘I owe you nothing. I’ve done all I could, more.’
‘Yeah, well, you’re my mother.’
‘Yes, but not your slave. Tim, I think you should move out, and get a place of your own.’
‘A place of my own! You’ve got to be joking. I’m disabled remember.’
‘You might be less able physically, because of your legs. But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have, a normal life.’
‘Normal! Normal! I’ve got two bleeding lumps of plastic for legs. What’s normal about that?’
‘You’ve had prosthetic legs for over thirty years. That’s your normality. You’ve just got to get on with it. I’ve been at your beck and call for long enough now.’
Kay ran from the room, as the tears welled up. She closed the kitchen door, and wept into a tea towel.
‘I hope I’ve done the right thing. Poor Timmy,’ she sobbed.
‘It
’s for the best,’ Geoffery’s voice filled her head. ‘He’ll thank you for it later. It’ll be the making of him and you,’ he had said.
‘I hope so Geoff, I really hope so.’
CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
Thursday October 30th – Sunset count 60
Andy was summoned to Ann Place’s office. After knocking briefly, he opened the door and said cheerily. ‘Hi Ann, you wanted to see me?’
Andy was happy. He was buoyed up by his success at finding Ben, and bringing James back for Geoffery. Even more pleased, that he didn’t have to make the awful trip back to London.
‘Please close the door and take a seat,’ she said stiffly.
‘Blimey, this is a bit formal. Isn’t it?’ he replied, surprised.
Ann cleared her throat and looked at some papers on her desk.
‘Andy. I have been informed that you have been supplying prescription drugs to non-hospice people. Drugs which we believe, you have stolen from the pharmacy here,’ she added sternly, looking at him witheringly.
‘What? You’ve got the wrong person. I would never do anything like that. You know me better than that?’
‘I’m sorry, but I have no other recourse than to suspend you while the incident is being investigated.’
‘Suspend me!’ Andy said, in disbelief. ‘Where’s this come from? Who has reported me?’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that, for obvious reasons.’
‘What! You think I might attack them?’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t discuss this any further. I would like you to collect your personal things and leave immediately. I will save you the embarrassment of being escourted off the premises.’
‘You really are serious aren’t you?’ he said, trying to comprehend what she was telling him to do.
‘We will contact you when our investigations are completed. At this stage we will not be contacting the police.’