Counting Sunsets

by Paul Gait

  ‘Ah hope you like whisky,’ she said, moving off his lap and getting a small flask out of her bag. ‘There’s nothin like a hot toddy to warm the cockles after a night exercise,’ she said, pouring a generous amount of the liquor into his cup.

  Tim lifted the steaming plastic cup to his lips, and coughed as the vapours from the spirit went up his nose.

  ‘I’ve never had it before,’ he spluttered.

  ‘But there’s a first time for everythin,’ she said, looking at him suggestively over her own cup.

  ‘Shove over,’ she said, sliding close to him. ‘We need to share a bit of warmth. A great walk and a lovely brew, what more could a lady want?’

  Tim fought for the right words. He had never been in this situation with a woman before and didn’t want to blow his chances. ‘Up there, on the mountain, you said…’

  ‘Yes?’ Carrie said coquettishly.

  ‘Umm. Oh, nothing,’ Tim said awkwardly, fearful of putting his foot in it, and killing the moment.’

  Just then a mobile rang making them both jump.

  CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

  ‘Is that your mobile?’ he asked

  ‘Who would be ringin me at this time in the mornin. It must be a wrong number,’ she said, annoyed at the interruption to her amorous plans.

  ‘Where is it? I’ll get it for you.’

  ‘It’s in the side pocket of my rucksack.’

  Tim dug into the pocket and lifted the phone out; as he passed it to Carrie he noticed the name on the screen. ‘Foster Geoffery.’

  ‘Here you are. It’s a Foster Geoffery calling you. Foster Geoffery! Foster Geoffery! Is this Geoffery Foster? What’s he doing ringing you in the middle of the night?’

  ‘Well he knows we’re trainin tonight.’

  ‘Yeah. But why would you have his number in your phone?

  ‘Safety,’ Carrie said, trying to think on her feet. ‘Yee should always tell somebody where you’re goin in the mountains. Just in case yee have an accident.’

  ‘Pull the other one,’ Tim said doubtfully.

  ‘Just give me the phone, will yee?’ Carrie demanded, putting her hand out to receive it.

  Instead, Tim pressed the green button and answered it. The voice on the other end was immediately identifiable as Geoffery. ‘Carrie, Carrie is that you?’

  ‘What’s going on?’ demanded Tim, handing the phone to Carrie.

  ‘Hello Geoffery. Aye, we’re alreet.’

  ‘Is there anything wrong with Tim?’ Geoffery asked, concerned.

  ‘No, he’s fine. It all went well. I’ll ring you later.’ Carrie ended the call.

  ‘So what’s this all about?’ Tim said angrily. ‘Are you on his payroll?’ he asked suspiciously.

  ‘He’s asked me to help yee get fit, that’s all.’

  ‘Yeah! But why you?’ Tim questioned.

  ‘Why not me?

  ‘There’s something fishy going on here?’ Tim pursued. ‘I thought you were helping me because you… you know, you liked me, not because HE had employed you.’ Tim pushed himself away from her.

  ‘He is tryin to help you succeed, if yee just thought about it for a moment,’ she said, shaking her head in disbelief at Tim’s petulant outburst.

  ‘I don’t need anybody’s help,’ he said resentfully.

  ‘Wey if you want to believe that, yee carry on by yourself. Look at yee, sulking like a fair bairn.’

  ‘A what?’

  ‘A little kid,’ she said, translating her Geordie outburst. ‘I’ve done what ah was employed to do. Yes employed,’ she shouted in his face. ‘He warned me you’d be a difficult challenge, but yee were ten times worse than ah imagined.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Yee are so full of yourself and your self-deluded abilities; Ah doubt yee have any time in that selfish brain of yours to even consider somebody else and their feelings.’

  ‘Wait, I get it. This is all part of the act isn’t it? Tim said, as a thought flashed through his anger. ‘To get me riled and well…his little plan isn’t going to work.’

  ‘Tim Springfield, you are so …’ Carrie stopped in mid-sentence, looked deep into his eyes and started shuffling over to him.

  Tim, un-nerved by her advance backed away scared.

  ‘What!’ he managed to croak.

  As he moved away from her, he found his retreat was suddenly stopped by the cold frame of the window pressing against his back. He was blocked in. There was nowhere to go. She stopped inches from him. He could feel her hot breath, her chest heaving from her anger. He winced as she raised her left arm and hooked it around his neck. Momentarily he resisted, as she pulled him towards her and then, she kissed him, hard. His arms responded and captured her firm body in a powerful embrace.

  She was gentle with him in their passion. Tim had at last become a man.

  Afterwards, as they lay in each other’s arms, Tim asked.’ Did he pay you to do that as well?

  ‘How do yee think ah ought to answer that?’ she said, pulling the sleeping bag over them.

  ‘To be honest,’ he said, propping himself on one elbow and gazing into her eyes. ‘I couldn’t care less, because that was something else,’ he said tenderly stroking her face.

  ‘I’m not sure whether I ought to ‘chin’ yee, for suggesting I’m some kind of whore or what. But ah tell you what. It’s many years since ah indulged in a bit of backseat fun, and at last I’ve found an advantage for havin no legs. Sex in a car, is a lot less restrictin.’

  ‘Well, if he has paid for your services, I’d like to add another charge on to his bill.’ Tim said, planting his mouth on hers.

  CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

  Monday November 24th – Sunset count 85

  Andy opened the door a chink, and peered into Geoffery’s room. Kay was standing by his side, waiting to see if it was OK to enter.

  ‘How’s he getting on?’ she said quietly, as Andy assessed whether Geoffery was asleep or not.

  ‘He’s not really recovered after the incident with that awful woman,’ he said quietly.

  ‘It’s OK Andy,’ Geoffery said, his voice weak, his words barely distinguishable. ‘I’m not asleep. Did I hear the lovely Kay’s voice?’

  ‘Hello Geoff. I won’t stay if you’re trying to get some sleep.’

  ‘No. Please come in. You’re like a tonic to me when you come here. Please sit down,’ he instructed, pointing to the chair by his bedside.

  ‘How are you?’ she said, putting her hand around Geoffery’s skeletally thin hand.

  ‘OK, and what about you?’ he asked, returning the courtesy.

  ‘Oh I’m fine, thanks,’ she said awkwardly, looking at his gaunt face. His sallow appearance making her feel sad.

  ‘And what about that boy of yours?’ Geoffery asked croakily.

  ‘Great. You wouldn’t know him. He’s a different person. I’ve even heard him whistling.’

  ‘So at last, he’s realised he needs to get his life together. Good.’

  ‘Yes. He’s starting to lose weight as well.’

  ‘So, I gather his preparations are going well.’

  ‘Yes. He’s getting himself fit to tackle your challenge. And moreover, he has found a lady friend,’ she said happily.

  ‘Yes, so I gather. Cupid’s arrow got to him eh? Well I never!’ said Geoffery knowingly. Deciding not to reveal his own, detailed knowledge of the situation.

  ‘She’s going to do the challenge with him apparently,’ Kay added excitedly.

  ‘It will be good for him to have someone to walk with,’ Geoffery concurred.

  ‘She’s an amputee as well.’

  ‘Really?’ he said, continuing his deception.

  ‘She was in the army. It was the last day of her tour. A roadside bomb apparently. She lost both legs,’ Kay added dramatically.

  ‘So they both have the same physical challenges?’ Geoffery added.

  ‘She’s really taken him to task. She won’t put up with any whinging. It sounds like
she’s a real hard task master.’

  ‘Unlike someone else I know, then.’

  ‘But that’s different, he’s my son and….’

  ‘Yes I know. I’m only teasing.’

  ‘Oh you!’ Kay said, gently scolding him.

  ‘So he’s going to do it then! That’s great news. I knew if he had some motivation, life would be different, for both of you.’

  ‘And you Geoff?’ Kay said softly, stroking his hand.

  ‘Oh don’t worry about me. I’ve done what I set out to do. Hopefully I’ve earned some brownie points. I think that I’ve made amends for some of my oversights. Now perhaps the man with the big book will let me in through the pearly gates after all.’

  They both went quiet as they contemplated the enormity of his words. Kay squeezed Geoffery’s hand trying to hold back the tears.

  ‘Look, I’ve just popped in to say good…goodbye…’ her words caught in her throat at the significance of saying it. For this would probably be the last time she would see him, and it might be their final goodbye. ‘That is, I’d like to stay with you a bit longer. But I’m on my way to catch my flight.’

  ‘That’s OK Kay. I’m so glad you’ve got your life back. Don’t waste it. Have a great holiday and say hello to the Pope for me.’

  ‘Thank you. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, for us. I shall…’

  Unable to finish what she was saying, Kay gave Geoffery a kiss on the forehead and ran quickly to the door.

  ‘Goodbye Geoff. Thank you so much….for everything,’ she said, without turning around.

  Geoffery heard her sobbing as she walked away.

  ‘Goodbye sweet Kay,’ he said, tears rolling down his cheeks. ‘Perhaps we’ll meet again, in heaven?’

  CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

  Thursday December 11th – The final Sunset

  The episode with Sue continued to take a heavy toll on Geoffery’s already frail health, but determined to get out for some fresh air, he asked Andy to take him for a drive into the countryside.

  ‘You sure you’re up to this?’ Andy asked concerned.

  ‘Yes. It’s a shame to be inside on such a bright and sunny winter’s afternoon. Besides, an injection of country air will make me feel better, I’m sure.’

  ‘OK where would you like to go?’

  ‘Cleeve Common.’

  ‘Sure. Any particular reason for going there?’

  ‘When I was a kid, I used to ride my bike up there. The views from there are fantastic and if we’re lucky, we’ll see the sunset over the Cotswolds.’

  ‘OK. I’ll get some medical stuff together and then we can go.’

  Shortly after, Andy steered the Mercedes through the centre of Cheltenham as Geoffery studied the changing face of the Regency styled spa town, now bedecked with Christmas decorations. The streets were bustling with shoppers, many carrying bulging carrier bags and wearing seasonally stressed faces. Revellers sporting reindeer antlers and Christmas hats were staggering in and out of pubs. He noticed several noisy office parties heading back from their revellries. The girls, carrying small sprigs of mistletoe, hoping for an innocent Christmas kiss; the men carrying erotic hopes for some seasonal goodwill in the stationary cupboard.

  The sound of Christmas carols filtered out from the shopping arcade, he was starting to feel better already.

  As they drove out of town he recognised some of the properties he had developed. He smiled to himself, recalling the arguments he had with the controlling planning authorities about the shade of paint he had been allowed to use. No garish colours were permitted he had been told. They all had to be ‘conservative’ white or cream, although, occasionally he’d got away with a soft lime green.

  Andy adjusted the sun visor as they drove up Aggs Hill and on to the top of the escarpment. The low sun was dazzlingly bright against the clear blue sky. It really was a beautiful day. It was the sort of day that made you feel good. Andy agreed with Geoffery’s decision to go up there. The countryside was shown in its best winter finery. The sun kissed bark on the trees seemed to effuse light of their own. The winter clad bushes, standing out in stark relief against the waving limestone grasses, added to the magnificence of the scenery.

  Geoffery became very quiet as they journeyed toward their destination. Out of the corner of his eye, Andy thought he could see tears in his patient’s eyes.

  ‘Not in any pain Geoffery are you? he asked, concerned that he was doing too much for the pain relief medication to control.

  ‘No. I’m fine. I’m lost in nostalgia, that’s all!’

  Shortly after, they arrived at a lay-by near the giant radio masts. The ugly structures could be seen from miles away, and dominated the rolling countryside around the large grassy common.

  As the powerful engine of the Merc became silent, Geoffery put his hand on Andy’s and said, ‘thanks for all you’ve done to help me fulfill my plans. I couldn’t have done it without you.’

  ‘That’s OK. It certainly was something different to my normal duties, and your Godsons are interesting characters, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Yes they are, aren’t they? I wonder, if I’d been closer to them throughout their lives, whether they would have turned out any differently.’

  ‘Probably not. But you’ve certainly made a difference now haven’t you?’ Andy said, impressed at what he had crammed in to a relatively short period of time.

  ‘I just hope it endures,’ Geoffery said reflectively. ‘Tim has become more independent and less selfish. Even better, he’s got himself a lady friend who won’t take no for an answer and won’t let him get away with his petulant outbursts. I believe he is planning to move into her flat, shortly.’

  ‘Oh really? Good for him,’ said Andy, pleased to hear that the difficult Tim had at last been tamed. ‘Have you heard how he’s getting on with the Challenge?’

  ‘The last status call I had from Carrie, was that, having completed Snowdon and Scafell, they were three quarters of the way up Ben Nevis. But it was snowing.’

  ‘Oh. Does that mean they will have to abandon the attempt?’ Andy said concerned.

  ‘Hopefully not. But what Tim doesn’t know, is that the local Mountain Rescue team are shadowing them, and if conditions get really bad, they will have them off the mountain in no time.’

  ‘I thought you might have had something like that up your sleeve.’

  ‘I promised his mother I’d look after him,’ Geoffery confessed.

  ‘That young lady has certainly got him motivated, hasn’t she?’

  ‘I’m sure the lure of the money has probably played a significant part in it too.’

  ‘With him out of her hair, look at what you did for Kay too,’ Andy added.

  ‘Yes. The lovely Kay has become more self-confident too. She is starting to live her own life, not constantly at the beck and call of that ungrateful sod.’

  ‘What about poor Rupert? Is he coping without that awful Sue?’

  ‘Yes. Rupert is starting a new life free from fear, with his new lady, Joanne, down in Bristol. He’s decided to sell his house. The place has horrific memories for him of her dreadful brutality. Sue is still on remand, charged with my attempted murder,’ Geoffery said, with a twinkle in his eye.

  ‘I still reckon, John should have stayed in the room with you though. Knowing what she was like. She could have succeeded in her plan and killed you. Worse still, she might have even got away scot free with this suicide idea,’ Andy said, still uncomfortable about the near miss.

  ‘I have to admit, it was a bit of a close call, ‘Geoffery said, as he recalled her demonic face holding his hands down.’ I have made a full statement to the Police. So if …if I’m not around for her trial, they will have the full facts for the prosecution.’

  ‘Hopefully you will be, and you’ll see her sent down too,’ Andy said optimistically, knowing that it was unlikely.

  ‘I’ve got you to thank, for getting James sorted,’ Geoffery said, changing the subject.
/>   ‘I can’t tell you how much I hated those trips to London,’ Andy confessed.

  ‘I do appreciate that. The big city is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. At least James is now trying to dry out at the clinic, and hopefully my legacy should help him get his life back together too.’

  ‘Isn’t there a danger that he will just spend it all on booze and go back to his old lifestyle?’ Andy asked, aware of the long and difficult road alcoholics have to take to permanently kick the habit.

  ‘I’m sure there will be times when he struggles to stay on the wagon. But I have put some pretty tight restrictions on the terms of his legacy. And I’m hopeful that the clinic will be keeping a careful eye on him, after he leaves, to make sure he doesn’t stray. I think my generous donation to the Clinic should also help them to be proactive.’

  ‘If he remains around here, then I’m sure Ben will also make sure he stays on the straight and narrow too,’ Andy added.

  ‘It was a good suggestion of yours to pay for Beth to go into the same clinic as James. Hopefully, with Ben’s nagging, they’ll both keep on the wagon.’

  ‘Pardon my curiosity, but did I see Ben with a new bike the other day?’ Andy asked tentatively.

  ‘It was an early Christmas present. I think he earned it, don’t you?’

  ‘Just as long as he keeps off the pavement,’ Andy added.

  ‘He’s quite a bright kid. I’m sure he’s learnt his lesson. Especially after all he’s been through, what with the hut fire and everything.’

  ‘I’m glad you commissioned a fire investigation report, which vindicated him. He was really wound up about that. Strange, that they should find that faulty socket, which apparently overheated.’

  ‘Why was that?’

  ‘I don’t recall, when we cleared the site, that we had that type of socket fitted in the hut.’

  ‘Oh? Geoffery said hesitantly. ‘You…umm…You said it was a former builders hut. You never know what temporary bodges they do in their own huts, until something goes wrong. I should know. I used to do them,’ he said unconvincingly.