Page 21 of The Stranger in Room Six
‘Exactly! We need to get a move on!’ Bill sings, the word ‘move’ a shrill high C.
‘I’m not going to pop my clogs yet, you know,’ huffs Mabel.
He drops to his knees. ‘My dear lady. That’s not what I was implying at all. Now perhaps your delightful carer might be kind enough to push you into the concert room.’
‘I’ve got my stick, thank you. I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own.’
‘But a wheelchair would be quicker, don’t you think? After all, we’re ready to begin!’
Then he scoots off ahead of them.
As Belinda wheels her along the wide corridors, Mabel does her guided tour bit, out of habit. ‘The panels in this part date back to the eighteenth century and the concert room has a very fine chandelier that was installed when Queen Victoria paid a visit. I remember being mesmerized by it when I first arrived here during the war.’
Belinda’s surprise is evident in her voice. ‘You knew Sunnyside back then?’
‘I did indeed. It was called the Old Rectory then. My aunt, who used to own it, took me in after my mother and sister died in the Blitz.’
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Thank you.’ For a minute, Mabel’s eyes mist with tears before she wills them away again.
‘What was it like to move here? Was your aunt good to you?’
‘Let’s just say that she was more interested in her social life. She would have big dinner parties, even during the war. All kinds of people came – one or two were famous actors.’
‘Really? How exciting! Who?’
Mabel hears her aunt’s voice in her head. ‘You mustn’t tell anyone about the people you’ve seen here, Mabel. It might jeopardize our war work. Remember – walls have ears.’
‘I can’t remember,’ she says, crossing her fingers. But she can. In fact, she can remember all too much.
Sometimes she fears her memories might drive her mad. Maybe she’s crazy already.
14
The nightmares seem to go on and on. Clarissa is running towards her, knife in hand. ‘If you don’t do what I say, I’ll …’
‘NO!’ she screams, sitting up, rigid with terror.
The door bursts open. ‘It’s all right, Mabel. You’ve had another bad dream.’
Trembling, she sees it’s the new carer again. With a flood of relief, she remembers that Clarissa is long gone. No one can hurt her now.
But she can’t stop shaking.
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘I’d rather have my Scotch.’
Belinda laughs. ‘It’s only just gone 7 a.m., Mabel! In fact, I thought I’d pop in before my shift starts, so I could check on you. You can’t start drinking at this time of the day!’
‘I’ve had a tot or two earlier than that, I can tell you. Not just for the nightmares but for the tedium in this place. One can die of boredom, you know. In fact, I probably would if it wasn’t for my friend here.’
She raises her voice. ‘Alexa, who gave you to me?’
‘I’m right here. But also in the cloud. Amazing!’
Mabel shakes her head with a ‘don’t you know anything?’ expression. ‘It was Harry, my brother. Or half-brother, I should say. If he wasn’t such a busy man, he would visit me more often. When he does, he takes me for drives along the coast.’
