Page 74 of The Winter We Met
‘I used to part-own a bar in Birmingham. I’d saved up. Money left to me by my grandparents helped. I went into partnership with a man who’d got a business degree. He had the intellectual know-how – I had the practical experience, have worked in bars since I left school… much to my parents’ horror.’
‘They didn’t approve?’ asked Nik.
‘No. They are – or were, before they took early retirement – high flyers at the Foreign Office. Looking back, I think I rebelled against that and swore I wouldn’t go to university, but as it happens that meant I fell into a career that I love. The business went from strength to strength very quickly. It was a relief as I invested everything I had into it. Three years in and we were making good money. Birmingham has the youngest population out of all the major European cities – forty per cent of people living there are aged under twenty-five. We struck gold, managing to appeal to both the huge number of university students and working locals.’
‘What went wrong?’ I asked.
‘Josh swindled me, embezzling money once the business was doing well, and doctoring the accounts. I’d signed paperwork blindly over the years, thinking I could trust him. Turned out I couldn’t. He just disappeared one day and never came back. I didn’t have much legal redress because of how he’d stitched me up with the contract. I felt so stupid.’
‘Oh Oliver, poor you.’
‘Gee, mate, that’s terrible.’
‘He wasn’t unlike you,’ said Oliver. ‘Tall. A way with words. So friendly. He acted as if he’d do anything for anybody. I guess you being you pressed alarm bells.’
‘If it’s any consolation, I have no intellectual power when it comes to business – Lachlan takes care of the more complicated paperwork.’ He clapped Oliver on the back. ‘You’ve done well to come out the other side of this and not be so bitter that you couldn’t get on with your life. As someone who’s part of an independent family business I couldn’t be more sympathetic.’
Nik nodded as Oliver made some comment about male pride and explained how the police investigation never got anywhere.
‘I hope that explains why I’ve been cool with you,’ said Oliver. ‘It’s no excuse but…’ He held out his hand. ‘Friends?’
Nik hesitated then grabbed his fingers and pulled him close for a hug. I could have laughed at Oliver’s surprised face.
‘No worries. It’s already forgotten,’ said Nik. ‘Well, almost – how about you shout me a couple of sherry cocktails in Misty’s some time?’ He winked and went back into the lounge as Glenda called his name.
I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how tough that must have been for you,’ I said.
He shrugged. ‘Just as bad was how I felt it must have confirmed, in my parents’ eyes, that I was a loser.’
‘Did they say that?’
‘No, but at the time they were so wrapped up in their idea of living in France, we hardly spoke about what happened and it was as if that suited them. Krish is the first person I’ve spoken to about it for years.’ He ran a hand through his tawny crew cut. ‘Have you seen Alice yet? Has she had enough time to digest the news about your mum?’
I went to reply but Lynn appeared, her face drawn and white.
‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.
‘I can’t believe this has happened. We’ve never lost a resident before.’ Lynn wrung her hands. ‘It’s Betty – she’s gone missing.’
34
Fifteen minutes later Lynn, Nik, Oliver and I met again by the entrance. We’d swept through the building discreetly checking for Betty, just to be sure she wasn’t inside. Between us we’d searched the corridors, the treatment rooms, dining room and kitchens, and the laundry area.
‘She can’t have gone far,’ I said.
‘We have a protocol for this,’ said Lynn. ‘I’ve never had to use it before. First of all, I must organise a search of the grounds, front and back. If she isn’t there, that’s when I phone the police.’
We spoke in low voices and I glanced into the lounge. Fortunately, everyone was busy making Christmas tree decorations and crackers, with other care workers in there to look after those who needed help.
‘Come on Nik, get your coat. Lynn, you wait here in case there is news – us three will check the grounds. I’m sure we’ll find her.’
There was something about Oliver’s voice that made me feel we’d resolve this. I’d noticed it before when anything went wrong: a lost purse, a flooded kitchen…
‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’ A tear trickled down Lynn’s cheek. ‘I should have been down here. I should have thought that one of the confused residents might have gone out whilst those damn removal men were here – especially Betty. To walk out of those doors is what she’s been wanting for months. Maybe that’s what has happened. What if she gets hypothermia or is hit by a car and—’
‘Lynn, this is nothing to do with you,’ I said as the men disappeared to get their coats. ‘Those blokes turned up and bent all the rules about safety. If she did get out whilst they were here you couldn’t have done anything about that or foreseen this. Willow Court couldn’t want for a better or more efficient warden.’
‘Well said.’ Oliver was back and pulling on his jacket.
