Once. Part 10

'Not sure there'd be much point, Thom. You see how he is. He just drifts in and out, hardly aware of his surroundings, it seems to me, although when he's up to it he spends much of his time gazing out the windows.'

Thom automatically looked towards the nearest window and felt his heart lift at the wonderful scene.

From this position, Sir Russell was able to see the fields and woodlands, the distant hills. He squinted his eyes. And yes, there, the turret just rising above the treetops ... It was Little Bracken, a reddish smudge among all the greenery. He wondered if the old man could see the tower too. For some reason, he hoped so.

Distractedly, he walked around the bed and went to one of the long windows. The skies remained overcast, the day grey and uninteresting; yet the view was still magnificent, the myriad greens outside deepened by the lack of suns.h.i.+ne. He was tempted to go out on to the terrace, to breathe in the clean, fresh country air, the room he was in almost stifling in its foulness, but even as he considered it, a bird landed on the roof's parapet opposite the window. It was a magpie, and when its wings had settled, the bird securely perched, it c.o.c.ked its head and looked directly at him.

Thom had the strange notion that this was the same magpie he had found on the top of Little Bracken's fake belltower, the one that had not even flinched when he had clapped his hands at it. Nonsense, of course - there was more than one magpie in the neighbourhood. But even so, the way this one watched him was equally disconcerting.

The bird continued to stare through the window at him, cool and detached, showing no fear at all when Thom tapped on the gla.s.s. He scowled, somehow irritated by the creature's boldness.

Thom suddenly felt a presence behind him and a.s.sumed Hugo had come over to see why he was tapping on the window. But when he turned his head, ready to point at the bird outside and explain, he was startled to find Hart-grove - old Bones - standing behind him. The manservant must have been in the room all the while, sitting silent and unnoticed in a corner, keeping a solitary vigil for his master, Sir Russell Bleeth.

Dark, expressionless eyes looked past Thom to see what had caught his attention, and those matt eyes suddenly took on some Me - what was it? Curiosity, anger, fear? - when Hartgrove saw the magpie perched on the parapet. Without saying a word, Hartgrove went to the door that led on to the roof and opened it. He stepped outside. In surprise, Thom watched as the manservant strode purposely towards the parapet, clapping his hands loudly as he went.

The magpie had nerve, Thom had to give it that, because it waited until the last moment before lifting into the air. Hartgrove swiped at it with a long arm, but the bird was too swift and too cunning. Its flight took it backwards a few feet before it rose high into the air and finally swooped away.

Thom looked around at Hugo, who was walking towards him, obviously wondering what the fuss was about. When he reached the window, both men exchanged looks of bewilderment before returning their attention to the tall, dark figure outside.

Hartgrove stood perfectly still, hands by his sides, just watching the bird's flight. And when he turned to face them a few moments later they saw a deep rage on his cadaverous face.

Once again, Thom and Hugo swapped glances. It was Thom who spoke, and it was in a whisper.

What the h.e.l.l was that all about?' he said.

NELL'S PLACE.

STIFFENER, THOM? Even better, stay for a spot of lunch, eh? Cook'll soon rustle up something for us both.'

Thom and Hugo were back downstairs in Castle Bracken's main hallway, both of them relieved to have left the rooftop eyrie, although neither one would have admitted it. A place of beautiful views had become death's waiting-room and the transformation was deeply unpleasant. 'I don't think so, Hugo. To be honest, I'm not that hungry.'

'Made you lose your appet.i.te did it? Well, I did warn you it'd be disagreeable. It's a shock to see Father in that condition, I know, but come on, you've got to eat, old chum.'

'I'll have something back at the cottage.'

'You're quite sure? I can't persuade you?' Hugo's eyebrows were raised, the palms of his hands displayed.

*Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks for the offer though.'

Together, they walked to the front door, but just as Hugo

opened it for Thom, a voice from one of the nearby doorways halted them.

'Oh, Thom, I've been waitin' for you.'

They turned to see Nell Quick emerging from the drawing-room, a light raincoat over her arm and a plastic shopping-bag in her hand. Her smile sent a rush through Thom despite himself.

'I meant to leave earlier, but when I got outside I found my bicycle had a puncture.' She planted herself directly in front of Thom, her back to Hugo. 'Could you drop me off at my place on your way home?'

He wanted to make an excuse, say he was going on into town, but found it hard to resist those deep brown eyes that looked so intensely into his. And the smile ... oh, G.o.d, the smile...

'Um...' was all he managed.

'Good. It's not far out of your way, only a couple of minutes.' She turned to Hugo. 'You'll make sure Sir Russell takes his special medication, won't you? It's all prepared and waitin' on the kitchen table for you. Mrs Baxley is com-plainin' again, but don't you stand for any of her nonsense. We both know Sir Russell won't touch any proper food, 'specially not the kind she wants to force on him. It'd jus' be wasted on your father, stubborn old thing that he is.'

Thom was surprised at the casual way the 'carer' spoke to his friend, although Hugo did not seem to mind. He merely nodded his head and smiled as if eager to please.

'I'll be back later,' Nell Quick went on, 'to give him his next dose. Sometimes I think it's only my medicines that's keepin' him alive.'

'I'll do as you say, Nell.' Hugo had opened the front door for them.

'If you need me sooner, jus' call. You know I'm on hand, night or day.'

A look pa.s.sed between them and Thom frowned. Am I missing something here? he silently asked himself. Is there something going on between these two? Nell was an attractive woman, and Hugo ... well, Hugo had to be lonely here at the great manor house. But she was his father's nurse. Surely Hugo wouldn't be involved with her?

'Shall we go, Thom?' Nell was smiling at him again - no, it was more than just a smile. Her expression was both seductive and mocking at the same time, as if she were playing some secret game with him. He was beginning to be irritated by it.

Tine,' he said. 'I need to be getting back. Things to do.'

She lowered her chin, looking up at him questioningly. Things to do? He was supposed to be convalescing, so what would he have to do? She seemed to enjoy his small lie.

They descended the steps together and Thom, feeling eyes on his back, glanced over his shoulder. But Hugo had already closed the front door.

There, you see.' Nell was pointing at the old Raleigh lying against the steps, its rear wheel tyre flat and useless. Her expression was curiously triumphant, as though she knew he had doubted her word.

He wondered why he had not noticed the puncture on his arrival, but said: 'We'll try and get it into the back of the Jeep. It should just about fit with a bit of manoeuvring and the backs of the rear seats down.'

That's very kind of you, Thom. It deserves a reward of some kind.'

He ignored the glint in her eye, righting the heavy-framed bicycle and pus.h.i.+ng it towards the Jeep, holding the rear wheel off the ground so that the flaccid tyre would not be further damaged. He suddenly became aware that his left foot was dragging, a sure sign he was becoming weary; he was beginning to limp too. He had felt so good earlier, healthy, fit, even strong. And now the tiredness, the numbness, was returning. His visit to Castle Bracken had left him in a state of depression and he wondered if that was part of the problem, bad memories, the wretched sight of Sir Rus-

sell, even the general deterioration of the once-great mansion itself, all these things preying on his mind, bringing him down, undermining his physical resistance.

He opened up the Jeep's tailgate and then adjusted the rear seats. There was just enough room for the hefty old bicycle once he had twisted the front wheel and handlebars. He had to push hard to get the tailgate closed again, but finally it was done.

Thom limped round and opened the door for his grateful pa.s.senger, and then moved on around the bonnet to the driver's side. He realized his arms were trembling slightly with the strain of Ming when he climbed into his seat and pushed the key into the ignition. He had broken out in a sweat and was relieved when he looked over at Nell to see perspiration on her brow too. It was still a humid kind of day, the air thick and sultry.

This is kind of you, Thom,' Nell repeated flas.h.i.+ng beautifully white teeth at him.

'No problem.' He leaned forward and turned the key, bringing the engine into life. Out the corner of his eye, Thom saw the woman tug at her loose skirt, pulling it back over her knees so that its hem lay across her lower thighs. Her legs were smooth and a light brown colour as though she, too, like the physiotherapist earlier, had taken full advantage of the season's brilliant weather.

'It's so warm,', she murmured distractedly and as if unaware how provocative the sight of her legs were.' 'S'pect there'll be a storm later. What you think, Thom?' She regarded him as though honestly interested in his opinion, her eyes wide and pupils jet black in the shadows of the Jeep.

He caught the faint muskiness of her natural odour - as far as he could tell, she wore no perfume - in the close confines and even through the sudden weariness that had come over him, he felt himself stirring.

There might be/ he replied, swinging the Jeep round in an arc.

'It'll clear the air.' She lifted the hem of her skirt from her thighs, just an inch or so, as if to allow air to circulate.

Thom pretended not to notice.

'You saw Sir Russell?' she asked innocently, her hand bringing the skirt even higher up her legs.

'Yeah.' His mouth was dry.

'And...?

'And?'

What did you think?'

'He's in a bad way.'

'I think he hasn't much longer.' The index finger of the hand holding the skirt played up and down the skin above her knee, each journey a little longer, but never beyond a certain point.

Thom tried to keep his eyes on the road ahead. Tell me something,' he said to get his mind back on track.

'Anything,' she replied before he could continue; she was obviously enjoying her tease.

'You're a qualified nurse? I mean, you've been trained, you've had practical training ...?'

'Don't I seem like a nurse to you?'

'Frankly, no.'

She gave a small laugh.

'Do I take that as a compliment?' He was beginning to get annoyed again and was grateful for that: it wasn't easy to switch off from this woman's flirting. 'It's just a question.'

Well, I've had some trainin' and cared for many sick people over the years.'

'But you said you'd made up some medicine for Sir Russell...'

Well, you could call it medicine. A lot of people come to me for my special brews and potions. Mostly country people

who know the old ways, although there are others - townies - who've heard about my cures.'

Thom could hardly believe his ears. 'Are you kidding me? Sir Russell needs a professional nurse to look after him.'

'His doctor comes at least once a week and he seems perfectly satisfied. I've been shown how to use the medical equipment and it really isn't that difficult.'

'Surely he would insist that Hugo hires a proper nurse. Sir Russell-'

'Sir Russell is going to die, Thom. All the professional...' she emphasized the word '... help in the world can't alter the fact. So if my special mixtures can ease his suffering, then his doctor isn't going to complain, is he? Remember, Sir Russell has already received the best treatment money can buy, now it's just a matter of time.'

'Surely he needs proper medication, drugs or pills, sedatives - stuff to deal with the discomfort and pain.'

They're all at hand. You must have seen them, for yourself. Hugo and I have been trained to administer them so it isn't a problem. I also bathe him, I clean his mess, I make his bed. I can do anythin' a hired nurse can do, so please stop your worryin'. When I'm not there, that old pile of bones Hartgrove is always around.'

Now she had become a little irate and, Thom noted with relief, had ceased teasing him. But, as though having just read his thoughts, she smiled at him again and leaned across to touch his arm.

'I know Sir Russell has been good to you, Thom - Hugo told me how he employed your mother, then saw to your education when she died - but he's looked after in every way, I can promise you that.'

By now they had pa.s.sed through the estate gates and had reached the main thoroughfare. Thom glanced at her as he waited for several cars and lorries to go by. The apparent sincerity of her expression surprised him.

'Look, I'm sorry if-' he began to say.

She put a finger to his lips. 'I understand. You're concerned for him, but then so are we all. 'Specially Hartgrove - he scarcely leaves his master's bedside. Have a little faith, Thom, just a little faith. I promiseyou I'm doin' my best to keep Sir Russell as comfortable as possible.'

For a moment or two he could only look at her. The smile had gone and there was a faint crease in her brow; strangely it made her look even more attractive.

"Which way?' he said.

She straightened. 'What?'

'Which way to your place. Left or right?'

'Oh, left. Same direction as your cottage, but we turn off to the right before we reach your lane. Ill show you as we go.'

Nell sat back in her seat, leaning back against the raised headrest. The smile had returned, but this time it wasn't for him. It was a secret smile.

'Seatbelt,' he told her as he buckled up himself, then turned into the main road.

'Oh I don't worry 'bout that sort of thing,' she replied pleasantly, looking straight ahead.

He shrugged and pressed his foot down on the accelerator pedal.

It took only a few minutes to reach Nell Quick's home, which was situated at the end of a lane of similar-type cottages -redbrick, slate roofs, small front gardens. There was a good distance between each abode, the gardens bordered by low picket fences, with plenty of tall greenery between flowerbeds to ensure a certain amount of privacy. There was also an interesting variation in maintenance, some of these small homes well kept, one or two even made to look chocolate-box pretty - Thom guessed these might be weekend retreats for wealthy city-types - while others were badly maintained,