Counting Sunsets

by Paul Gait

  ‘Ssssh, I understand. I’m sorry,’ he said, his eyes filling at seeing her distress.

  Geoffery plucked several tissues from the box on his bedside cabinet and gave them to her. After a few minutes, Kay regained her composure.

  ‘I’m sorry Geoff. The last thing you want at this time, is having to cope with an hysterical woman.’

  ‘It’s my fault,’ he said apologetically, ‘for raising it. But, I have to tell you that I couldn’t possibly be Tim’s father either.’

  ‘What? What are you saying?’

  His announcement stopped her in her tracks. She sat on the edge of her chair and stared into his eyes waiting for an explanation.

  ‘I’ve just had confirmation that my blood type isn’t consistent with Tim’s either. Moreover, prior to the start of my cancer treatment, I put some semen into a donor bank, not that it matters now, but I’ve just discovered that I’m infertile, and apparently, would have been all my life.’

  ‘So if you’re not Tim’s father…and George isn’t! What are you suggesting? That I was sleeping around?’ Kay brought her hands up to her mouth in realisation of his accusation. ‘I swear, you were the only two who could possibly be his father,’ she said earnestly. ‘You don’t believe me do you?’

  ‘Now calm down. Just listen. I’m not accusing you of anything of the sort. George got it wrong. His blood type IS consistent with being Tim’s natural father.’

  ‘What?’ said Kay incredulously. ‘I thought he had got it all checked out.’

  ‘Well, if he did. Whoever did it for him. Got it wrong.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve recently spoken to two consultant hematologists and they confirm it.’

  ‘This means….’

  ‘This means that George is Tim’s real father and I… I am just his Godfather,’ Geoffery said.

  ‘All those years of thinking that you…hiding it, wanting to tell you, so you could see your son, be his Dad, be part of his life.’

  ‘At least the uncertainty is over,’ said Geoffery, positively.

  ‘But, do you realise the implications?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘I not only lost Tim his legs! But I lost him his Father as well!’ she blurted.

  ‘Now stop that,’ Geoffery said firmly. ‘George lost his son, himself. Not you! The disease took his legs, not your negligence. So you have no reason to feel guilty about anything.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘No buts! You coped extremely well in terrible circumstances. It couldn’t have been easy for you as a single parent coping with all that angst,’ Geoffery said compassionately. ‘You should be proud of your achievements.’

  ‘Do you think so?’

  ‘Yes, I know so,’ Geoffery said, thinking uneasily about the selfish son she had brought up. ‘It’s me that should take the blame for screwing up your life,’ he confessed sincerely. ‘A young man’s lust…I’m sorry.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

  Saturday November 8th – Sunset count 69

  After being arrested on the motorway, following her kidnapping of Rupert, Sue had been held in prison for a few days until being released on Police bail. Rupert was distraught at the news, but Geoffery was more circumspect.

  Geoffery had called her to the hospice to see him, and understandably, had received a cool reception to his invitation. Eventually, she had agreed to come, but only when he appealed to her greedy nature, suggesting that there would a considerable financial benefit for her.

  The door opened gently as John, Andy’s replacement, led Sue into the room.

  ‘Geoffery, are you sure you’re up to this? You look very tired,’ John said concerned.

  ‘Yes, I shall be fine, don’t worry about me. Sue and I have something to sort out, to clear the air.’

  ‘I think I ought to stay,’ John said, starting to close the door.

  ‘No. I think we’ll be OK, thanks.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ John said, concerned about leaving him alone with the vengeful woman.

  ‘Yes. Don’t worry,’ Geoffery said calmly.

  ‘OK. Buzz if you want anything. Don’t overdo it,’ John instructed, as he left.

  ‘Please sit down,’ Geoffery said, pointing Sue to a chair.

  ‘What’s this about?’ said Sue suspiciously.

  ‘I know we haven’t seen eye to eye about… about things.’

  ‘That’s a bloody understatement! You come into my life and take my husband from me. Accusing me of being a husband beater.’

  ‘I want you to help me,’ Geoffery said patiently.

  ‘Help you! I wouldn’t help you, if you were drawing your last breath. You’ve ruined my life.’

  ‘In which case, you’ll probably enjoy what I’m going to ask you to do.’

  ‘Go on,’ said Sue, showing interest and moving to the edge of her chair.

  ‘I want you to help me commit suicide.’

  ‘You won’t catch me like that.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Geoffery asked. ‘You hate me don’t you?’

  ‘Aiding people to commit suicide, is a criminal offence,’ she said, sensing a trap.

  ‘I have written a suicide note.’

  ‘That makes no difference.’

  ‘It will, in this case.’

  ‘Why do want to die like that? she said disdainfully. ‘Just look at you! The cancer will kill you soon enough.’

  ‘The pain is just unbearable. I can’t take it anymore,’ said a fragile Geoffery.

  ‘Well, you’re asking the wrong person then, because I want to see you suffer, she said vengefully. Just like you’ve made me suffer. Taking my Rupert away from me.’

  ‘There’s money in it for you, if you do,’ he added quickly.

  ‘How much?’ she asked greedily.

  ‘I have written to my Solicitor, instructing him to pay you two hundred and fifty thousand pounds after my death.’

  ‘Why? What possible reason would you have for doing that? It’s clear you hate me,’ she said suspiciously.

  ‘Just a dying man’s wishes, to apologise for messing up your life,’ he lied.

  ‘But all I need to do is just wait for nature to take its course.’

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. If you don’t help me today, I shall telephone my Solicitor and tell him, I wrote the letter while I was under the influence of drugs. And I’ll ask him to destroy it.’

  ‘Getting paid for having my revenge on you! It just sounds too good to be true,’ said Sue, warming to the idea.’

  ‘That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.’

  ‘What happens if the nurse comes in?’

  ‘Oh, he won’t. He’s got other patients to look after.’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she said, trying to consider all possible ways that he could be setting her up.

  ‘I’ve already written the suicide note.’ Geoffery continued. ‘John will discover it later this evening, when you’re long gone.’

  ‘What…what do I have to do? I’m no good with blood,’ she confessed unnecessarily.

  ‘Oh. It’s nothing as barbaric as that. Suffocation is what I’ve chosen,’ he said matter-of-factly.

  ‘What? You mean putting a pillow over your face?’

  ‘Oh no. The best way is a polythene bag over the head, and elastic bands around the neck.’

  ‘Oh!’

  ‘I will do that bit myself.’

  ‘So what do I do?’

  ‘Well it’s human nature, that as I start to suffocate, my reaction will be to take the bag off.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I just want you to hold my arms, to stop me pulling it off. That’s all,’ he added.

  ‘Just hold your arms?’

  ‘Yes. That’s all. I will kill myself,’ he confirmed. ‘You’ll be in the clear.’

  ‘But why me?’

  ‘I know how much you like to hurt people. And now we’ve taken Rupert from you. Well, I thought the least I could do, was to offer myself as a substit
ute.’

  ‘You underestimate me! I’ll soon have him back under my thumb, where he belongs.’

  ‘I think you’ll be in for a big shock,’ Geoffery said positively.

  ‘We’ll see about that! No, of course you won’t, because you’ll be dead,’ she laughed cruelly.

  ‘No that’s right. I won’t, will I? Now if you don’t mind. Let’s get this thing done. Would you mind passing me the polythene bag and the elastic bands?’

  ‘Where are they?’

  ‘Hidden under the seat cushion. I didn’t want anyone finding them and messing up my plans.’

  Sue fished underneath the cushion and found what she was looking for and pulled out the small bundle.

  ‘I’m still not sure about this,’ she said, turning them over in her hands.

  ‘I’ve already told you. I’ve had enough. I’ve done my suicide letter. You’ll be long gone before they discover me. You want to get rid of me. So what’s the problem?’

  ‘You’re right of course. You’ll be doing it to yourself,’ she agreed, finally convinced.

  ‘Would you give me the bag please? Could you shake it open for me, first?’

  Sue shook the bag capturing air into it and handed it to Geoffery.

  ‘Here,’ she said, giving him the bag. Her adrenalin madly pumping. It was the same erotic buzz that she got from beating that pathetic creature of a husband. But now she felt more controlled.

  ‘Well, I think I’ve discharged my Godfather duties,’ he said dramatically. ‘My job is finally done.’

  ‘How long do I….hold your arms?’ she quizzed.

  ‘I should think about a minute, after I stop struggling,’ said Geoffery calmly, as if giving out cooking instructions.

  ‘A minute?’ said Sue, feeling her hands starting to sweat.

  ‘About that, yes.’

  ‘And then I leave?’

  ‘That’s it! That’s all there is to it,’ he said, unemotionally.

  ‘Not a bad day’s work for quarter of a million,’ she said greedily.

  ‘Goodbye then,’ said Geoffery, putting the bag over his head and stretching the elastic bands around his neck.

  The bag immediately started expanding and contracting with Geoffery’s breathing.

  Geoffery put his hands underneath the sheets and reached for the distress button. But before he could reach it, her vice like grip captured his arms and held them. The plan was going to backfire, unless he could reach the button to summon help.

  He had to dislodge her grip before he lost consciousness. His lungs were already struggling, and he was getting light headed. He needed to do something urgently.

  The bag was misting up, but he could see her evil eyes gazing at him, as if they were boring into his soul. She was laughing maniacally.

  ‘Good riddance,’ she said evilly.

  He lifted his head and butted her on the nose. She let go momentarily and he moved his hand to get to the buzzer. In his desperation, he knocked the buzzer from underneath the covers and it fell noisily to the floor.

  ‘Oh no you don’t!’ she said, clamping his arms again. ‘You want to die! It will be my pleasure to help. Struggle as much as you like. You’ll regret you ever messed with me. Nobody will ever know, that I put you out of your misery.’

  As he lost consciousness he knew his gamble had failed. He had underestimated her strength. He was going to die after all.

  CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

  The white light became more intense. ‘Was this heaven?’ he wondered.

  ‘Nadine!’ It was the dream again. He was at the bottom of the black hole gazing up.

  He felt something on his face. He couldn’t breathe. Desperately he fought to get it off. His chest hurt. The dirt! Had she finally managed to bury him alive? ‘Nadine, please help me.’ But the thing covering his mouth stopped his words. She couldn‘t hear him.

  ‘Geoffery, Geoffery’….the voice was coming from a long way off. ‘Geoffery!’

  He knew the voice, but couldn’t remember who owned it. It wasn’t Nadine. Was it the Dark Angel? Had he finally caught him?

  ‘Geoffery. Stay with us! Come on, you can do this,’ the voice pleaded.

  The black hole was opening again. Oh, It would be so nice to go there and sleep.

  The white light again. The pain in his chest. The sudden spasm in his body.

  ‘He’s coming back,’ he heard the voice say.

  Faces swam before him.

  ‘Just take it easy,’ the voice instructed.

  Clamped on his nose and mouth an oxygen mask was oxygenating his lungs. He could feel the coldness of the gel on his chest underneath the electrodes. Just above him he saw the owner of the voice. Andy gave him a smile, his face flushed by the physical efforts to resuscitate Geoffery.

  ‘You gave us a nasty scare there Geoffery. You’ll be OK in a minute. Just take lots of deep breaths,’ Andy instructed.

  Slowly his mind cleared. He remembered. Sue, the bag and the buzzer. He could feel where the elastic bands had been holding the polythene bag, tight around his neck. It hurt to swallow. His arms hurt where she had held him down.

  ‘You were lucky my friend. Another few seconds and you’d have been gone. Just give yourself a few minutes to recover.’

  Geoffery felt as if he’d gone ten rounds in a boxing ring. Slowly his mind was clearing.

  ‘OK? Andy said, removing the electrodes.

  ‘Yes, I think so. Hold on! Are you supposed to be here?’ Geoffery said, suddenly realising that Andy had been suspended.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ve been reinstated. Thanks to you and her subsequent arrest, they now believe us. But it was nearly too late for you wasn’t it?’

  Andy recalled the session that he’d had earlier with Ann Place, it had been a tense affair.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ she said stiffly. ‘Please take a seat.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Andy said sitting.

  ‘Andy, following your suspension, Mr Foster pleaded your case.’

  ‘That’s kind of him.’

  ‘Yes, he tells me that it was him that gave the painkillers to the other person, not you.’

  ‘Yes that was what I’d been telling you.’

  ‘He apologies for putting your position here in jeopardy. And furthermore, he tells me that he ignored your advice about not leaving the tablets.’

  ‘Well I did try to tell you.’

  ‘Quite. He also informs me that there is some sort of vendetta being raised against you and him by the person who made the complaint.’

  ‘Yes, it’s the wife of one of his Godsons.’

  ‘The police are studying the carpark CCTV recordings following the vandalism to Mr Foster’s car, when somebody poured acid over the paintwork and slashed all the tyres. They seem to think it might be the same person.

  ‘I reckon, that’s a safe bet.’

  I believe that that particular person has now been arrested for various reasons.’

  ‘Yes that’s correct.’

  ‘Therefore, I have no reason to continue your suspension and would like to offer you your job back.’

  ‘Great, thank you. I accept. When can I start?’

  ‘Your shift starts tomorrow.’

  ‘I will be pleased to get back to work, to get out from under Helen’s feet.’

  ‘However. May I remind you that it is a place of calm and I want you to leave your personal issues at home in future. Our primary role, as you know, is the welfare of patients in our care.’

  ‘Yes I know, and that’s what I thought I was doing.’

  ‘You also need to sort out your values on patient commitment.’

  ‘Come off it! That is particularly hurtful when you consider my record, especially our debate about Mr and Mrs Jones when Geoffery, umm, Mr Foster arrived. Remember?’

  ‘Yes well, I have to tell you that as I said before, I am not happy with your heavy involvement with Mr Foster. It appears that you are giving him a disproportionate amount of attention to
the detriment of other patients.’

  ‘We agreed, before I started this part time working. I was unaware that it was causing any problems.’

  ‘It causes some administrative difficulties. Anyway, you can resume your duties. But please take on board what I have been saying. We will review your progress in a months’ time.’

  Andy was brought back to the present by Geoffery holding his arm.

  ‘Why did you…? How did you know what was going on…?’

  ‘I was just telling John that I had been reinstated when I heard the distress buzzer sound for a split second on the nursing station. As I opened the door, there she was, the bag over your head, holding you down.’

  ‘Thank heavens you were there. Hooray for the Cavalry.’

  ‘She claims, you asked her to help you, commit suicide.’

  ‘What! Why would I do that?’ Geoffery said painfully, feigning innocence.

  ‘Don’t know. But she reckons, that you wrote a suicide note which would vindicate her.’

  ‘Suicide note!’ said Geoffery, continuing the deception. ‘True I wrote a note. But it said that in the case of my sudden and unexpected death, she should be considered a prime suspect.’

  ‘She also said, that you were going to give her a quarter of a million pounds, to help you escape from the terrible pain, which you were experiencing.’

  ‘Did she now? Why would I pay somebody, especially her, to kill me? And you know how successful this latest drug is in handling the pain, when it’s pumped intravenously.’

  ‘I knew she was lying,’ Andy said. ‘I’m surprised that she’d didn’t come up with a more plausible story though.’

  ‘Where is she now?’

  ‘We called the police and she’s been taken into custody.’

  ‘Thank you for doing that.’

  ‘When you’re feeling better, the police want to interview you and take a signed statement.’

  ‘That’s no problem. It will be my pleasure to help put her behind bars. Hopefully, for a long time. They’ll probably want to test the polythene bag and elastic bands for fingerprints and DNA, so please make sure they’re not thrown away,’ said Geoffery knowingly.

  ‘Don’t worry. The police have already bagged them and taken them away,’ Andy confirmed.