Page 55

Chapter 55

February 2011

After Tess has left, Georgia goes back to the kitchen.

She picks up her phone and sends a text.

Afternoon, Stan. I am getting a new lodger.

Is there any chance you could take me to IKEA?

I need to buy a bed.

The phone rings and a man’s face appears on the screen as the caller ID.

‘You know I hate using the phone, Georgia, but I just had to ring and ask if you are quite sure about this. I thought you were done with lodgers after the last time.’

‘You know me, Stan, I’m a sucker for a hard-luck story.

’

‘Well, just you be careful. Did you tell her about what happened before?’

‘No, I did not.’

‘And what about the rent? Usual rules?’

‘I don’t see any reason to change them.

’

‘And she was alright with that?’

‘To be honest I’m not sure she has another option.

She has a dog. There won’t be many places she’ll find in a hurry that will take a dog.

’

He begins to laugh.

‘You? A dog? You surely have gone soft in your old age, Georgia.’

‘Never mind that. Can you help? I need to buy a new double bed PDQ and a mattress, and your car has a roof rack.’

‘A double? Is she bringing someone with her?’

‘No, Stan, she is not bringing anyone with her. But someone who has been used to sleeping in a double bed might find it hard to sleep in a single. And there is more than enough room.’

‘She’s going in the front?

’

‘No, the back, above the kitchen.’

‘It’ll need a paint.

’

‘She knows that.’

‘If you’re completely sure?

’

‘I am.’ Georgia looks around the kitchen.

‘It’s time. Just the one, though.

My days of having a houseful are finished.

’

‘Until someone else appears.’

‘Stop it, Stanley. Will you take me to IKEA or not?’

‘Half an hour. I just need to make sure Hazel is comfortable and I’ll be over.

’

*

By the time the bed is built and the Allen keys and instructions have been put away in the filing cabinet drawer that Georgia allocates for such things, it’s dark outside.

They sit in the kitchen.

Georgia leans forward.

‘How is Hazel today?’

‘She’s alright.

’

‘Still determined to go?’

‘Yes. She wants to spend her last days in our cottage on the west coast, where she can see the sea from her window. It fronts onto the beach and she’ll be able to hear the waves and the wind.

She says it will remind her of when we were young, and who am I to deny her that?

’

‘And the health people?’

‘It’s all arranged.

They aren’t sure how long she has.

Could be six months, or a year, or it could be just a few weeks, who knows?

’

‘I’ll miss her. Three years as next-door neighbours may not be terribly long, but sometimes you just click with people, you know?

’

‘She asked me if you would go and see her. She’s got something she wants to ask you.

’

‘Of course. I’ll pop round tomorrow morning, before I get this new girl settled in.

’

‘Thank you.’ He stands up.

‘And you are sure about the allotment? I’ve explained my circumstances to the committee and they’re happy for it to be left mostly fallow this year.

There will be asparagus and rhubarb soon, and strawberries and rasps in the summer.

’

‘Leave it with me. I can’t promise it will be as beautifully kept as you manage, but I’m sure I’ll be able to keep the weeds down.

’

‘I really do appreciate it. I’ve had the same plot since 1962 and I don’t want to give it up if I don’t have to.

’ He looks at his watch.

‘I’d better be getting back.

Hazel will be wanting her Horlicks.

It’s the least I can do for her after all these years. ’