by David Munro
“Are you a relative?” He resembles April.
“I knew her mother, I’m James.”
“I’m afraid April is not here.”
“I can call back.”
The woman frowned. “April is in hospital.”
“Hospital!” I stared.
“Please come in.” The woman fully opened the door.
After I entered, she closed the door, and led me into a room with seven tables and sets of chairs. I took this to be the dining room, although, the tables had not been set.
“I’m Julie, please, have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
“Would you care for a coffee?”
“Yes, please.” I’m still thirsty.
“Be right back.”
As Julie left, I cast my gaze around the compact tidy and tastefully decorated room. Dark wooden furniture blended in with the polished wooden floor. The magnolia-coloured walls complemented a white ceiling and dark green curtains, but why no guests? Julie returned with a tray containing a cup of coffee, small jug of cream, plus a bowl of brown sugar. “I’ll just be a minute.”
I poured cream into my coffee, lifted the white cup, and took a sip. A few minutes later, Julie reappeared, and sat opposite me. “April has been unwell for some time.”
I set my cup on the saucer.
Julie sighed. “It is serious.”
“Can you tell me what the illness is?”
“Malignant meningioma.”
A brain tumour.
“Early this year, April was diagnosed with the condition.”
“She has had medical treatment?”
Julie nodded. “Nothing else can be done.”
I stared at my cup.
“She is a patient at the nearby hospital.”
“Can I visit her?”
“The hospital is located in Gloucester Street, a short distance from here.”
I stood up. “Thank you.”
Solemn-faced Julie accompanied me to the door, then opened it. I stepped outside, looked at the sign, then at Julie.
“Now that the summer season has finished, business is non-existent.”
“Thanks for the coffee.”
“Bye.” She closed the door.
Walking along the street, I had forgotten to ask directions for the hospital. April must feel isolated in Jersey, however, as she is my daughter, an independent streak may exist.
Fifteen minutes after receiving accurate directions, I arrived. I entered the grey stone building, and approached a reception desk.
“Can I help you, sir?” said a well-groomed woman.
“I have come to visit a patient, an April Anderson.” I cleared my throat. “Can you tell me what ward she is in?”
From her computer keyboard, the receptionist entered information, then looked at the screen. “She is in a private ward, C4.”
“Where is it located?”
A sturdy female nurse, who had appeared at the reception desk, leaned towards me. “I’m heading that way, I’ll take you there.” She handed a white folder to the receptionist, then looked at me. “This way, sir.”
After following the blue and white uniformed nurse along a series of corridors, she stopped and faced me. “When did you last see April?”
I hesitated. “Not for a while.”
“A long while?”
I nodded.
“Are you a relative?” There is a familiarity.
“I’ve been on my travels and after returning home, discovered April’s condition.” Once more, I cleared my throat. “I’ve journeyed down from Edinburgh.”
“You are aware of her condition?”
“Yes.”
“Her vision is severely impaired.”
I sighed.
“You’ll appear as a blur, therefore, I’ll take you into her ward, and introduce you.”
“Thanks.”
“What is your name?”
“James.”
The nurse led me along another corridor and then into a room where I would meet my daughter for the first time. Before entering, my heart was pounding, then I observed a woman with cropped hair sitting up in her bed. She looked at the nurse, then me, and removed her earphones.
“April, this is James,” said the nurse in a calm voice.
“James?” She looked in my direction.
“I knew your mother.” April has my eyes.
“Have you come all the way from Scotland?”
The nurse looked my way.
“I was in London on business, it’s a quick flight.”
“Please, have a seat.”
“If you require anything, April, press the buzzer.”
“Thanks, nurse.” April looked at me. “How did you find me?”
“I met a woman who works at your guest house.”
“Julie Beck?”
“Yes.” Nervous, I took a deep breath.
“Did you rush to get here?”
“I walk fast.”
I sat down on a firm chair close to April’s bed. Given her condition, she did not look her forty-seven years.
“Where are you staying?”
“The Hotel de France.”
“It’s not far from my guest house.”
I coughed.
“Were you a friend of my mother?”
“Yes.” I cleared my throat.
“Where in Scotland do you come from? You have an East Coast accent.”
“Edinburgh.”
“My daughter, Victoria, stays there.”
April has a daughter!
“Which part are you from?”
“Originally Newhaven, then I moved to the city centre.”
“Victoria lives a short distance from Newhaven.”
“With her father?”
April shook her head. “Every fortnight, she catches a flight from Edinburgh, and stays for the weekend.”
“At your guest house?”
April smiled. “At least there’s one guest.”
“What is it she works as?” Once more, I cleared my throat.
“Would you like a glass of water?”
“I’m fine.” Not really.
“An Account Manager with an advertising agency.”
Similar to what I did in Nice. “She must be creative.”
“And demanding.”
Another family trait.
“What is it you do, James?”
“I’m self-employed, as a consultant.”
“A medical consultant?”
“Business.”
“After retiring, why did you continue to work?”
Retired? Off course, being a friend of her mother, April will perceive me as an elderly individual and her impaired vision won’t reveal my age. “I wasn’t ready to retire.”
“You voice is that of a younger person.” April yawned.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“I get tired easily.” Her eyes flickered.
“If you wish, I will return tomorrow.”
She nodded.
As April closed her eyes, I stood up, and quietly left. She resembles Abigail in appearance and manner, however, during my visit, I’m glad she couldn’t see my strained expression. My goodness, I am also a grandfather! Now is a good time to ensure my assets are bequeathed.
Returning in a daze to the hotel, I collected my room key, got into the lift, and pressed a button for my floor. Time travel did not prepare me for this. As I left the lift, a chambermaid came out of a room and looked my way.
“Hello.” It’s the chambermaid I saw earlier.
“Did you enjoy last night?”
Last night?
“At Minosas.”
“Yes, thanks.” I can’t remember this person.
She smiled. “You spoke to my friend.”
I hesitated.
“She wore a revealing dress.”
I grinned. “Yes, I remember.”
“You had a lucky escape.”
I laughed.
A
s she departed, I entered my room, and closed the door. My room had been cleaned, and also a white printed card had been placed on the bedside cabinet. I picked it up, Volcanos, St. Helier’s Hottest Nightspot. That’s interesting, Minosas has a rival. The chambermaid no doubt receives a commission, however, this evening will be an early one. Then, the telephone rang, and I picked up the receiver.
“Mr Carsell-Brown, there are two gentleman who wish to speak with you,” said the receptionist.
“Oh?”
“From the local police station.”
“I’ll be right down.” What’s up now? I replaced the receiver.
I left my room, locked the door, and went downstairs. Leaving the lift, I observed two stocky men in plain clothes standing in a conspicuous manner and upon reaching reception, both turned around.
“Mr Carsell-Brown?” said the oldest.
“Yes.”
“I am Detective Sergeant Albright, and this is Detective Constable Bennett.” He produced an ID from his inside overcoat pocket.
I looked at it. In 1938, I met a police officer with that unusual surname.
“Can we have a word?”
I nodded. “Certainly.”
We went to the far corner of a lounge, and sat on its brown leather couches. Facing them, they appeared within my age group, however, their hair had turned premature grey.
“How can I be of assistance, gentlemen?”
“What is your connection to April Anderson?” said Detective Sergeant Albright.
“I was a friend of her late mother.”
“How well do you know April Anderson?”
“Yesterday, I met her for the first time.”
“You travelled all the way from Edinburgh to see her?”
“I returned from abroad, and found out that April had moved to Jersey.”
“You came to Jersey just to pay your respects?”
I nodded. “Upon my arrival, I went to her guest house and learned of her condition.” I looked at both officers. “What is this about?”
“We believe she has received threats over the past eighteen months.”
“Why?”
“Relating to her guest house.”
“In what way?”
“Competition, Mr Carsell-Brown. St Helier is a small place, therefore, intense rivalry between businesses exists. Also, April Anderson is not from Jersey, and this can cause resentment.”
“I’ve been told that the guest house is not busy, with little or no custom.”
“It wasn’t always in that situation,” said Detective Constable Bennett. He coughed. “In fact, the guest house was St Helier’s busiest.”
“What happened?”
“We believe someone had been in collaboration with a competitor to discourage customers,” said Detective Sergeant Albright
“There is a woman in charge, and she appears genuine.”
“Julie Beck?”
I nodded.
“She is a new start,” said Detective Constable Bennett, “her predecessor left.”
This situation probably contributed to April’s illness.
Detective Sergeant Albright gave a wry smile. “We wanted to make sure that you had not arrived in Jersey to extract revenge on certain individuals.”
I smiled. “No, just to visit April.”
“How is she?”
“Not good.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He stood up. “We won’t take up any more of your time, Mr Carsell-Brown.”
Detective Constable Bennett also got to his feet, as I did, and walked with both officers to reception. Detective Sergeant Albright faced me. “Incidentally, my grandfather is from Scotland.”
“Oh?”
“He worked as a police officer in Glasgow, then in 1946 he transferred to Jersey.”
“A more amiable climate.”
Detective Sergeant Albright grinned. “And environment.”
His colleague nodded.
After they left the hotel, I returned to the lounge, and pondered over what they had revealed. Soon, a waitress came across and asked if I wanted anything to drink.
“A coffee, please.”
“White?”
“Strong.”
“Be right back.”
I sat back and thought about the situation concerning April’s guest house. To build up her business would have taken time, energy, plus expense, and now its all to no avail. Even though the guest house is presentable and has a reliable person in charge, to revive it would be difficult, but perhaps a recent acquaintance could assist. As Diana Bray works in the accommodation sector, I will attempt to ‘pick her brains’ and obtain knowledge as well as contacts.
On my way to the hospital, I popped into a florist and bought flowers. Not long after, I arrived at reception and a woman advised, “in future, sir, just go direct to April’s ward.”
I thanked her, and upon my arrival, April was sitting up with headphones on. Then, she looked in my direction, and removed them.
“Hello.” She should recognise my voice.
“Hi.” April sniffed the air.
“I brought flowers.” I gripped the white wrapping paper.
“Flowers!”
“Yes.”
“Just lay them on the window ledge, a nurse will put them in water.”
I placed them on the ledge.
“You walked all the way from the flower shop?”
“It’s not far.”
“Please, James, have a seat.”
I sat down opposite April. “How are you today?”
“Same as yesterday.” She looked at the window. “How is the weather outside?”
“There’s a slight nip in the air, then again, it is late October.”
“When do you depart?”
“Tomorrow, late morning.”
“Why don’t you extend your stay in Jersey? You can stay at the guest house.”
I could, and more time to meet with Diana.
“Unless, you have to return home.”
“No, I can stay for another few days.” I’ll rearrange my flight home.
April smiled. “Yesterday evening, Julie visited, and we spoke about the business.”
“With the summer season over, hotels and guest houses will have less trade.”
“We must try and recover what we lost in custom.”
“Do not worry, your health is more important.”
“Have you enjoyed Jersey?”
“Yes, I’ve noticed a French influence.”
“I considered going to France.”
“To live and work?”
April nodded.
“Did you have a specific location in mind?”
“Nice.”
That’s a coincidence! “Why that particular city?”
“Comparable in size to Edinburgh, and its commercial heritage.”
At that moment, a nurse entered, and spotted the bunch of flowers. She lifted them off the window ledge. “I’ll put them into a vase of water.”
As the nurse departed, I noticed April’s eyelids flicker, then she covered her mouth and yawned.
“I lived and worked in Nice.”
“Oh, when?”
“I went there twenty-five years ago.”
“You must have enjoyed Nice, that’s a long time.”
“I only stayed for ten years.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I was left a property in Scotland, and made the decision to return.”
“Where about?”
“Dochar, near Ardrishaig.” She knows the place well.
“I was raised there by my mother and grandmother.” April paused. “My father died before I was born.”
He disappeared, and couldn’t prevent it.
“Is it still as picturesque?” Once more, April yawned.
“Very much so.”
Just as April started to feel drowsy, the nurse returned with flowers in a vase, and placed it on the window ledge.
I stood up, and
whispered to the nurse. “Time to go.”
She looked at April, and nodded.
After leaving the hospital, I visited Julie, and mentioned what April had suggested. Courtesy of the owner, this would be my new residence for several days.
“Good, we now have a guest.” Julie clasped her hands.
After a coffee, I returned to the hotel and collected my room key. Whilst waiting for the lift, a young woman emerged from a nearby staff room, then came up to me. “Hello, again.”
“Hello.” It’s the chambermaid in casual attire.
“That’s me finished for the day.”
“Lucky you.”
She smiled. “Are you going out tonight?”
I shook my head. “An early start tomorrow morning.”
“You’re leaving tomorrow?”
“I’m leaving the hotel, but will be staying at a local guest house.”
“What’s wrong with the hotel?”
“I know the guest house’s owner and she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
The young woman laughed.
“Are you clubbing tonight?”
She shook her head. “I also have an early start tomorrow.”
“Work prevails.”
The young woman stared. “At Minosas, I noticed you with Diana Bray.”
“Do you know her?”
“I know of her!”
She now has a serious expression.
“Bye.” The young woman departed.
The lift arrived, I entered, and pressed a button for my floor. That reminds me, I have to contact Diana, however, the chambermaid didn’t appear complimentary. In a small location, jealousy will no doubt exist, especially, when the focus is an attractive successful woman.
CHAPTER 12 - SCANDAL
Opening my heavy eyelids, I lifted a tired head to check the time. Since daylight had not broken, I let my head drop onto the soft white pillow and then stretched my arms. I lay for a short while, threw back the single duvet cover, and struggled out of bed. Entering the bathroom, I shaved, and then took a shower. After making myself presentable, I headed downstairs for breakfast, where a smiling Julie greeted me. Being the sole guest, I had my pick of the tables and chose one beside a window.
Following a full breakfast, Julie joined me for coffee, and revealed several truths about local business rivalry.
“In the accommodation sector?” I set my white cup on its matching saucer.
Julie nodded. “Within St Helier, competition between hotels and guest houses is fierce.”
“I met a woman on my flight to Jersey who represented a chain of hotels within the island.”