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

the muscles in his face spring to life. The pale eyes become smaller, the creases on his forehead deeper. ‘You don’t look like the sort to be employing Hugo’s services.’

‘Nor do you,’ Theo replies instinctively. Ed doesn’t appear at all ruffled by the quick retort. Bella smiles.

‘I’ll see you at home, Hugo,’ Ed says, touching the younger man’s arm affectionately. ‘I’m doing a salmon en croute tonight – your favourite.’

‘Fab,’ Hugo says. ‘I won’t be late.’

Ed turns to leave, but not before giving Theo another glare. Then he rotates, literally, on his heels and exits the shop.

‘I’m sorry about that,’ Hugo says. ‘Too many beers at lunchtime don’t agree with him. Not carrying enough fat to take it.’ He smiles indulgently.

‘Was that all about the Marlowe thing?’ Bella says to her brother in a conspiratorial tone.

Hugo nods, although his expression is now both serious and anxious. Lodging his behind on the desk, he places the heels of both palms on his temples and pushes hard for a few seconds. Then he pulls at his belt, tucks in his shirt more securely, rakes through his hair and checks his Cartier. At last he speaks. ‘Are you writing about Rose Marlowe?’

Theo nods. ‘Yes, I’m visiting her in prison with a view to writing a book about her case.’

‘Ah.’ Hugo crosses his arms over his chest. ‘I see.’ He pauses, unravels his arms. Darts a look towards his sister.

Bella gives him a gentle smile and nods her head gently.

‘Okay,’ Hugo sighs. ‘I hope Bella told you to bring photos of your flat, the rooms you’re interested in me working on?’

Bella shrugs. ‘I’m sorry, Hugs. I forgot.’

Hugo slides his behind off the table. ‘This isn’t going well, is it?’

‘It’s going fine,’ Theo says. He likes Hugo. Hugs.

‘Look, Mr Hazel—’

‘Please, call me Theo.’

‘Theo, I’m happy to take on the job. I’m pretty booked up but I have to be in Manchester next week.’ He glances at Bella again. ‘Visiting my sis. I could come by your flat? We could do a consultation there… maybe have a chat? How does next Thursday sound?’

Christ, Theo really can’t afford this. But to get Hugo Bliss alone can only be a good thing, and he is getting the impression that Hugo might be willing to tell him something. Maybe even wants to tell him something. ‘That would be great,’ he says. ‘My lounge…’ He may as well go for it. ‘And the kitchen’s a rat hole, need to do something with that too.’ His gaze sweeps around the shop and the display. ‘You definitely have an eye, Mr Bliss.’

‘Call me Hugo. Have a look around the shop; anything takes your fancy, fabrics, furniture, ideas, jot it down and we can talk about it. Is that okay?’

‘Really okay.’

‘I’m sorry, but I have to go. Bella’ll take your address, and email you prices and so on.’ Hugo is staring at Theo. ‘See you next week,’ he finishes in a confident tone, as if he’s made a decision, before turning and jogging from the shop.

Bella sits back down and pulls what looks suspiciously like a Primark handbag from underneath the table (Theo knows, because he bought one for his eleven-year-old niece only weeks before). It certainly doesn’t fit in with the rest of the shop. She takes out a book and he recognises it immediately. His first published work: Jane Toppen and the Sexual Thrill of Murder. He still feels shame about that title. His editor insisted.

‘Hugs is embarrassed about Ed’s behaviour,’ Bella says quietly. ‘Without Ed, he would never have got a loan from the bank.’

‘It’s okay. I’ve had worse encounters.’

‘Ed was in love with Daniel Deane, you know. It irks Hugs.’

Not wanting to come across as too hungry for info, Theo says as casually as he can, ‘Why is Hugo with Ed?’

‘He loves him. And as I said, Ed made all this,’ she takes in the shop with her arms, ‘possible. Hugs’s dream.’

Theo nods. ‘That’s what you do for someone you love.’ Time to take another chance. ‘I know you went to see Rose Marlowe, Bella.’

Fear crosses her pretty features, and he feels really bad.

‘Did she tell you?’

‘No,’ he replies softly. ‘She didn’t want to get you into trouble.’

‘Sorry you came all this way for nothing today,’ she says, touching his book.

‘I didn’t, though, did I?’

She shakes her head and her hair shimmers like Russian amber in the light. ‘No, you didn’t. I’d like it if Hugs could talk.’

‘I do need my flat updating.’

‘Can you afford Hugs?’

He can’t, and the fourth credit card won’t take the heat on this. He makes a mental note to apply for a fifth – the sort that charges a zillion per cent interest. His stomach contracts and his brain disengages.

‘I’ll email you the details then,’ Bella says, cutting into his thoughts.

‘Great.’ He pauses and shifts his weight from one leg to the other. ‘I didn’t know you’d be here when I called to make this appointment.’

‘Look, I shouldn’t have gone to see Mrs Marlowe. It’s up to Hugs to say something. I think he wants to say something.’

‘Perhaps he does. I think that whatever the reason was you felt compelled to go and see her, she appreciated it.’ He smiles at her.

‘Good luck with Hugs next week.’ She hesitates. ‘I couldn’t tell Rose what I wanted to tell her. I just couldn’t. I waited for days after visiting her for the police to come. They didn’t. Thank her from me.’

‘I will, and I look forward to the email, and seeing Hugo.’

‘You haven’t looked around the shop.’

‘I don’t need to.’

‘No, I don’t think you do,’ she says, her pretty forehead scrunching into what on anyone else would be a scowl. ‘If you give Hugo a few Desperados, it’ll loosen him up.’ She searches his face, her own expression serious. ‘He needs to unburden, and not just to me.’

‘I’ll bear it in mind, Bella.’

‘I hope you do.’

He touches her arm lightly, then turns and leaves.

Walking back to his car, he has the uncomfortable and alarming feeling