‘Are they any closer to knowing why she’s unwell?’
Keisha shakes her head sadly. ‘Soon, hopefully. I miss her being about. We live together as well so I’m feeling her absence everywhere. It’s nice having you here, though. It helps.’
Clive knew that feeling all too well. The absence of Nancy was complete. And yet how could that be?
‘I know what you mean. Even if I only dreamed I had a wife, I still miss her. I can’t imagine living and working with someone and then them not being there. At least you know it’s only temporary.’
‘I’m sorry. I keep forgetting that, in a way, you’ve suffered your own loss. I guess we’re both adjusting to a different set of circumstances.’
Rather embarrassingly, the thought of never seeing Nancy again brought a tear along and it was sliding unapologetically down his cheek.
‘Ignore me,’ he said, wiping the evidence away.
‘Have you remembered anything else from when you went into hospital?’
‘Nothing. I’m lucky to be in an environment that doesn’t remind me of what has happened. You must be aware of Lucy not being here all the time.’ Clive took a fresh hankie from his jacket pocket to wipe away any remaining tears.
‘She’ll be back. I’m sure I’ll be writing up new instructions for her before I know it. Did you sleep okay? I know it’s only for a while, but I want you to be comfortable.’
‘Really well, thank you.’ Clive had had a much better sleep than he’d expected. The relative silence had been like music to his ears, and after weeks of broken dreams, it was the deepest snooze he’d had in a long while.
‘Is there anything else you need here?’
The place, even though it wasn’t a home, was pretty well equipped with everything he was going to be needing for the next week or three.
‘I don’t think so. I can top up food from the local shops by the looks of things. Although I’m going to need help with securing my new place, as you know, and if it isn’t too much bother, I’d really like to check on my allotment. I’ve researched the bus routes and it’s not straightforward. I’m hoping you might know someone who would be able to give me a lift.’
The kettle finished boiling and Clive poured water into the prepped mugs. He already knew how Keisha took her tea and sensed he wasn’t the only one who needed a little looking after. At least this was one way he was able to do that for her.
‘Tess will be busy with work and George is the only other person I know who drives. I don’t have many friends and the ones that I do have are like me and still live like students. I’ll have to get in touch with him.’
‘Could you? I’d really like to start making some solid plans. I don’t want to be here bothering you any longer than necessary.’
‘It’s no bother.’
‘All the same. None of us want to be carrying on with this secrecy any longer than absolutely necessary. I’d like to make sure we secure a flat as soon as we can. And I’d like to visit the allotment. Check everything’s been okay in my absence.’ Wanting to visit the allotment was becoming increasingly important to him. He was sure he might find some answers there as to why he’d become so confused.
His first sleep here may have been a good one, but he knew now the exhaustion had passed he would spend too many night-time hours awake. The occasional insomnia he suffered was sure to come along with so much on his mind. The night would give him far too much time to try to make sense of everything. That was why he needed to go to the allotment. He was hoping it would help him work out what it was he’d forgotten.
21
Keisha
As someone not particularly at ease with change, having Clive around is turning out to be surprisingly okay. Despite my concern about his memory blip, he hasn’t done it since, which I’m hoping is a good thing. I’m trying to convince myself it was a one-off and not something to be concerned over. I wish I knew more about what really happened, but other than asking Clive, I’m not really sure how to find out anything. The more time I’m spending with him, the more I realise I’m only familiar with the made-up version of events.