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

different-sex couples, and then, at the back, he sees two men. Bliss is easily recognisable, as he’s at least thirty years younger than his companion. Dressed to perfection, and Theo finds himself wondering where he got that shirt. Loud pink and electric blue, the sort he’d love to wear himself. Gelled spiky jet-black hair and a face made for the front of GQ magazine, and although he’s sitting down, Theo sees he’s in good shape. He obviously takes care of himself, and Theo reasons that he’ll be as fastidious with the quality of his work as he is with his appearance. His gaze moves to Ed Madden. What does Hugo Bliss see in him? Madden is ancient compared to the young, good-looking boyfriend. Several empty Desperados bottles litter their table.

A tall waiter is moving towards him, and quickly Theo turns to leave.

‘Should have a table in about ten minutes,’ the waiter says.

From the corner of his eye, Theo catches Ed Madden peering in his direction, shoving back his chair a little, his face puckered in inquisitiveness. Hugo Bliss, oblivious, is trying to gain the attention of the waiter; he does the writing thing with his index finger in mid-air, which never works for Theo.

‘It’s fine, but thanks,’ Theo says, exiting quickly but feeling Ed Madden’s eyes still boring into him.

That wasn’t smart. He begins making his way to the shop, hoping it’ll take a while for the pair to get their bill.

Bella is sitting at a modern desk; the shop is divided into four show sections: a bedroom, a kitchen, a lounge, and a bathroom. It is impressive, and Theo immediately sees Hugo Bliss’s talent. She glances up from a Mac laptop, looking very much as she sounded. Young, no more than twenty-two or three, dark hair that hangs like an ironed silk curtain, unblemished white skin, and as he moves closer, piercing violet eyes glance up at him. Bella looks as original and striking as the designs surrounding her. A book lies spread-eagled next to the laptop. A George Saunders.

She grins. ‘Mr Hazel?’

‘It is.’

‘Hugo’ll be here soon. I have you booked in for an hour.’ She pushes back her chair. ‘He’s often late after lunch with Ed, though, so have a look around, get a feel for what you might want.’ She points to a rack of neatly filed brochures on the back wall. ‘Have a nose through those. Would you like tea, coffee?’

‘Tea’d be great, thanks.’ He spots a crate of Desperados behind her desk; obviously Hugo’s tipple of choice.

‘On it.’ She’s on her way to a door situated to the left side of her desk, but stops and turns to him. ‘I’ve read all your books.’

‘You have?’

‘In the last week, yeah. Onto a Saunders now.’

‘Impressive.’

‘My tutor says I should read stuff not linked to my course.’

‘What course are you doing?’ he asks, even though he knows.

‘English lit. Manchester Uni.’

There’s pride in her voice, and there should be. Theo picks up the Saunders. ‘He’s a much better writer than me.’

‘I agree.’ Her eyes sparkle like bluebells in a harsh spring frost.

‘You’re not supposed to say that.’

‘You like fawning?’

‘No, not really… well, maybe a little.’ He grins. ‘What are you doing here? It’s a way from Manchester, as I know.’

‘Hugo’s my brother.’

Ah. The connection.

‘I help him out on Saturdays,’ she continues. ‘And in the holidays. I stay with him, and Ed.’ She spits out the name.

A waft of cool air blows past them, and Theo turns around. Ed Madden is striding into the shop as if he owns it – which, Theo’s now thinking, he probably does.

‘All okay, Bella?’ he barks.

‘All great.’ She looks over his shoulder at her brother. ‘Your two o’clock’s here, Hugs, Theo Hazel.’

‘Brilliant.’ Hugo glances at Theo and smiles effusively. ‘Give me five and I’ll be with you.’

Hugs. Theo likes that.

Ed Madden loiters in the shop’s entrance. He’s one of those blokes who looks as if he’s constantly grumpy; probably a trait he’s always possessed. The worst of your characteristics seem to become more entrenched with time, and eventually supersede any good ones you might have. Theo speculates on what Ed’s good ones might be.

Hugo lightly touches Madden’s arm, a familiar and companionable gesture. Hugo seems like a nice guy. There must be something not immediately obvious about Ed Madden that encourages such loyalty and love. Theo is unsure if his own reaction to Ed is due to Rose’s dislike for him, or because of what Abe thought about his father’s old friend.

Ed smooths down the lapels of his jacket, a relic from sometime in the nineties. He wears a blue shirt and a tie. Theo’s eyes scan down. Ed Madden is very thin. Drawn, his skin pasty. Madden catches his eye and Theo looks into his, which are rheumy. Standing next to Bella only accentuates his lack of vitality.

‘You’re the bloke who was in the bistro earlier.’ Ed jerks out the words.

Bella chips in. ‘This is Hugs’s two o’clock client.’

Ed ignores her and continues to stare at Theo. ‘What were you doing in there? I saw you looking at our table, then scarpering.’

Hugo’s expression is one of indulgent exasperation. ‘Give it a break, Ed,’ he says. He checks his watch, a very nice Cartier with the signature sapphire; it glints in the unforgiving spotlights hanging over Bella’s desk. ‘Don’t you need to get home?’

Ed nods, a small but definite movement. ‘I do,’ he replies, narrowing his eyes at Theo. ‘Do I know you?’

‘He writes books, Ed,’ Bella says. ‘About crimes committed in the past.’ She turns to Theo. ‘You investigate them, don’t you?’ Her violet eyes search his. Bella is not stupid. Maybe she’s already made the connections. He’s certain she has.

‘I do write books like that, yes,’ he replies, and takes a quick glance at Ed, whose countenance has slipped even further into waspishness.

‘You’re a journalist?’ he asks.

‘A writer, Ed,’ Bella says. ‘Do you need a hearing aid?’

‘You really are a bad-mannered brat,’ Ed snaps. He gives Theo the once-over and finally