The Nurse by J. Corrigan (list of ebook readers txt) 📕

‘Whatever the reason, it’s good that you and Rose are making up now, when she needs you.’ He turns to look at her, giving what he hopes is his most sincere smile.

‘I will go and see her again.’

He nods. ‘I’d like to talk a bit about Daniel Deane. Rose has told me about her relationship with him. She really should have told her defence team.’ He takes a breath. ‘You knew him?’

‘I did. It was obviously Rose’s choice that she didn’t mention her connection with him. Her prerogative, Theo.’

He shrugs.

‘You said you wanted me to fill you in on Rose’s early life?’ There’s a hint of brittleness in Marion’s voice. ‘For your book? The book that will tell Rose’s real story. I want to help as much as I can.’

‘That’s good,’ he says. ‘That you want to help.’

She shakes her head. ‘She’s bewitching you already, isn’t she? Beware, Theo. She’ll embellish everything she tells you. Look, Rose was not sane when she killed Abe Duncan. She should have pleaded insanity, but she didn’t.’ She looks at her watch. ‘I think we were at the secondary school part of her childhood? She aced her O levels. Eleven A’s, one B.’

‘Impressive.’ He isn’t surprised.

‘Yes, it was. But she was always hard work, from the beginning. A three-day labour. Cried a lot as a baby. Demanding. Her brother was so different.’ She stops and sighs loudly. ‘Yes, Rose has always been a slog. I think it’s girls.’

Theo examines her as she speaks and wonders about her own childhood. ‘Rose mentioned you were born in Ireland,’ he says, trying to open up the subject.

‘I was. Met my husband there and we moved to England. And then he left me.’

‘Do you miss Ireland, your family?’

‘God, no. My dad died when I was two. My mother was difficult and probably the reason I got pregnant young, and therefore married young. To get away.’ She peers at Theo. ‘My childhood was dismal, so whatever Rose might tell you about hers, it was a dream compared to mine. My mother was a drinker. I’ve never had a problem with alcohol.’ She rubs at her neck. ‘And I never had the chances Rose had, the chances she threw away.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that, about your childhood.’

She huffs and carries on telling him more about her daughter.

On leaving her mother, he feels even more sympathy for Rose. A sense of sorrow swamps him too, and he’s not sure quite why. But Rose did plead guilty to Abe’s murder. There was no trial, only a hearing. Her defence wanted to issue a hybrid order, Section 45A of the 2008 Mental Health Act (Theo looked that one up), whereby she would have been hospitalised for a short term in a psychiatric unit and then spent a shorter term in a mainstream prison. A term more like seven years, rather than the twenty that the judge was compelled to give with a straightforward guilty plea. But she refused.

It is a haunting tale and he suspects there’s much more to come. The mystery hangs at the periphery of his mind, enticing and not quite tangible, but there. Rose’s journey is fascinating him, as is Rose herself, although Marion’s role within her daughter’s jigsaw is intriguing him too. He guesses that Rose knew it would.

He tries not to think about money and debt, the stack of unopened envelopes back at his flat, and pushes away the terrifying thought that he might well have to move back in with his dad. Not that he doesn’t love his dad – he adores him – but for Christ’s sake, he’s forty-four.

No, he won’t let himself think about his financial situation today. He forces his mind back to Rose. Something has changed in her world.

He flicks on the car radio and his thoughts beat to the music.

After an hour, he stops at a service station to get drinks and a sandwich. He takes his stash back to the car and shovels it down. Looking at the dash clock, he realises he hasn’t eaten since five o’clock this morning – twelve hours ago – but as he contemplates his ravenous hunger, he has an idea. He picks up his mobile from the passenger seat and punches in Marion’s number. She answers immediately.

‘Hi, Marion, Theo here.’

‘Are you all right?’

‘I’m fine, sorry.’

‘Oh, I thought something terrible had happened, seeing as you’ve not long been gone.’

He hears some distraction in her tone, maybe even a little irritation. He’s beginning to recognise her mood swings. Sometimes she’ll talk nineteen to the dozen, on the ball, missing nothing, but other times, she’s sluggish and forgetful.

‘If it’s not convenient, I can call back tomorrow?’

‘It’s fine. I’m organizing a trip to Majorca. Getting excited and thought you were the travel agent calling.’

‘Ah, sorry! But a holiday? Nice.’

‘It will be. Really lovely villa near Magaluf. It’s been a tough time.’

‘I’m sure it’ll be good for you to get away,’ he replies.

‘Yes, and Sam and his wife are paying for everything.’

Why does she feel compelled to give him so much detail?

She continues, a hint of anxiety in her voice. ‘Perhaps better you don’t mention anything to Rose about us going away.’

‘Of course I won’t. Maybe you can come with me on my next visit?’

‘We’ll see.’ She clears her throat. The line goes quiet.

‘Marion?’

‘I won’t be around that much in the coming months. Sam’s in the process of actually buying the villa. It’s up in the hills, you know?’

Theo doesn’t know; he’s never set foot on the island in his life.

Marion is blundering on. ‘Him and his wife’ll need my help getting it ready, as it’s quite big – four bedrooms and a pool. I said I would, and Sam’s keen I don’t sit around here getting depressed.’ She manages to say it all in one breath.

‘That sounds like a nice thing for you.’ He waits, thinking she’ll say something more. When she doesn’t, he carries on. ‘Anyway, next time we meet,