Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 1: Midnight, Blood Brothers, Songbird. Josephine Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ a curve in the road, he could see right down to the main thoroughfare, and from there in his mind’s eye, he could follow the route to Bower Street. And that made him think fondly of Libby. Being so near to everything he had known as a boy made the memories even stronger.

      ‘It’s the right house, in the right place, and it has a good feel about it,’ he said. ‘Thank you for finding it, Susan.’

      Smiling, she gave a little shrug. ‘It’s what I’m paid to do . . . boss-man!’

      Jack laughed. ‘Well, since I’m the boss-man, I’m saying you can go home early.’

      When she drove off, he did one more tour of inspection round the house, then jumped into his Lexus and returned to the office to make some calls.

       Chapter Fifteen

      DR REED WAS an expert in his field and with the old doctor having recently retired, Eileen was now his outpatient. Today was their first meeting.

      After a lengthy examination of Eileen’s mental capabilities, Libby and Eileen were now seated before him; with Libby attentive as ever, while Eileen appeared agitated and constantly toyed with her fingers.

      What he had to say, appeared to have little impact on Eileen, but it brought hope to Libby, ‘Fiirstly, let me assure you, that your mother appears to be in reasonable health for a woman of her age, and I am fairly confident that she does not suffer Dementia, or the onset of Alzheimers, as was first thought. Having said that, she does have certain symptons that might initially lead to that conclusion, such as the psychotic tendencies . . . the sudden unprovoked anger for instance. The identity lapses, and intermittent loss of reality.’

      Pausing, he glanced at Eileen, who at that moment appeared to be paying attention, and was looking right at him, ‘Do you understand what I’m saying?’ he asked her now.

      Eileen nodded.

      ‘Good. And if you’re not sure of what I’m saying, you must stop me, and I’ll go through it again.’

      With Eileen’s reassurance, he continued.

      For a time, Eileen appeared to listen, then she looked away, towards the open window, ‘I want to go now.’

      Libby took hold of her hand, ‘In a minute, Mam,’ she promised, ‘Let the doctor finish.’ Even though it was understood how her mother still suffered the same problems, Libby was overjoyed at the prospect that there appeared to be some hope, ‘This is good news, isn’t it mam?’

      Eileen raised her sorry eyes to the doctor, ‘I need to see Thomas now.’ There was such an emptiness inside her. Such fear, and a crippling sense of desolation. When she was with Thomas, she felt calmer, as though he understood, where others could not.

      ‘I’m not mad, am I?’ she asked the doctor now.

      With a gentle smile on his face, Dr Reed slowly shook his head, ‘No, my dear. You are definitely not “mad”.’

      Eileen was grateful for his answer. But then he did not know what she knew.

      Thomas did though. Oh, yes. He knew.

      Later, when Eileen and Libby went round to see Thomas, he was thrilled with the news, ‘That’s wonderful!’ he gave them each a hug, ‘So, what exactly did he say?’ he asked Libby. Although, unbeknown to Libby, he had a very strong idea of what was haunting Eileen. And he was plagued with guilt.

      Libby explained, ‘He was almost certain Mam was not suffering from Denentia, or Alzheimers; though he would have to undertake more tests. Instead he suspects it’s a much less invasive condition, called psychosis. It’s a kind of disturbance in the brain, where reality becomes distorted, and memories get fragmented, along with deep depression.

      ‘Can it be cured?’

      ‘Sometimes yes, and sometimes not altogether. It requires treatment and monitoring, but there is hope.’

      With her next words, she dealt Thomas a hammer blow, ‘Apparantly, psychosis is triggered by some shocking, traumatic event. The thing is, when we did eventually manage to trace back to when Mam started to change, it ties in with the time when she lost Dad. So it could be that . . . but we can’t be sure just yet.’

      Deeply shaken by Libby’s revelation, Thomas and Eileen instinctively exchanged glances. There was no need for words.

      Each knew what the other was thinking as the years rolled away, to a time when they were younger; a time that was etched in their tortured minds, for all the wrong reasons.

      As was her way, Eileen was soon chatting about everything else, and Libby was somewhat relieved that the ordeal at the hospital appeared to have already been forgotten by her mother.

      A short time later, Libby coaxed her mother away, and Thomas was left.

      To reflect on his guilt.

      The following evening, Thomas tapped on Libby’s kitchen door. ‘Who wants to come next door and hear some proper music?’ he asked, with a sideways wink at Libby.

      ‘Me!’ Eileen clapped her hands, the events of the previous day having now retired to the back of her mind. Laughing merrily, she got to her feet and swirled her skirt about. ‘Look at me, Thomas!’ she cried. ‘I’m dancing!’

      ‘I can see that!’ he said, laughing. He took her in his arms and gently danced her round the room. Then he began to sing softly in her ear. It was her favourite artist, Nat King Cole, and her favourite song of all, ‘When I Fall in Love’.

      When Libby began to sing along, Eileen suddenly broke away and ran into the kitchen. Libby ran after her.

      ‘Hey! What’s wrong, Mum?’ Cradling her close, she tried to make light of it. ‘I didn’t think my singing was bad enough to frighten you away like that.’

      Eileen gave a shaky little laugh. ‘I’m sorry for running off.’

      ‘So, what’s upset you then?’

      Eileen replied with such clarity that Libby was taken aback.

      ‘It’s your father,’ she said tearfully. ‘Why did he have to leave us like that?’ She shook her head as though in disbelief. ‘I know he liked other women, but I never thought he would leave us . . . not with you being such a tiny little thing an’ all.’

      ‘Ssh, Mum. That was such a long time ago. After all these years, he’s not about to come home, and it’s no use you upsetting yourself. Keep the good memories, Mum. Try not to fret about what’s gone, because it will only make you unhappy. And I don’t want you to be unhappy.’

      Libby could understand how hard it must have been for her mother to come to terms with what happened. In truth, Libby had always believed it was the trauma of losing her husband that had caused her mother’s health to deteriorate.

      From the other room, Thomas heard their СКАЧАТЬ