Johnny Swanson - Eleanor Updale [72]
‘I didn’t even know you were here,’ he said. ‘I’m looking for someone else. But, Olwen, I have got some news.’
‘About my family? You know how they are?’
‘Yes,’ he said, realizing instantly that he had accidentally given her hope.
‘Are they coming for me? Have they sent you with a message?’
He stuttered something unintelligible, and was saved by the sound of footsteps. Olwen grabbed his arm and tugged him down some stone stairs. ‘In here,’ she whispered urgently, opening the door to a dark windowless room that smelled of antiseptic and damp. It was full of boxes, like Hutch’s stockroom. Dismantled beds and bits and pieces of medical equipment were propped against the walls.
‘No one will find us,’ she said. ‘They’re all too scared to come in. Even some of the nurses think there’s a ghost down here.’ Olwen was giggling. ‘They say it’s where Madame Patti was laid to rest after she died.’ She put on a dramatic voice: ‘They embalmed the body on this very table.’
There was just enough light for Johnny to see Olwen hoisting herself up onto a marble slab in the middle of the room. She sat there with her feet swinging in mid air. ‘Close the door,’ she said. Johnny did, and they were suddenly in total darkness. One of Olwen’s shoes fell off. Johnny gasped in fright.
Olwen laughed. ‘Don’t be silly. There’s nothing to be scared of. I don’t believe in ghosts – and even if they do exist, I think I’d like to meet one. I’d ask what it’s like being dead. Wouldn’t you?’
Johnny was glad Olwen couldn’t see his face in the darkness. He hated hearing her talk so casually about death when he had such bad news for her.
She was badgering him for information. ‘Come on then. Tell me what’s going on. But be quick, mind. I’ve got to get back to the ward before the nurses notice I’m missing.’
‘Were you running away?’
‘No, though I’d love to if I had anywhere to go. It was my turn to go down to the bins to see if there was any left-over food. I’ve got some stale cake here, and a bit of cheese rind if you want it.’
Johnny could hear her digging into her coat pocket. ‘Stop it, Olwen,’ he said. ‘Be quiet for a minute. This is no time for messing about with cake. I’ve got something serious to say.’
Olwen’s tone changed. ‘Is it the baby? They took her to the sanatorium, you know. Mam promised they would make her better.’
Johnny took a deep breath. Even in the darkness he could tell that Olwen had guessed part of the truth and didn’t dare ask the question that was really on her mind. He forced himself to answer.
‘I’m sorry, Olwen. Your sister died. I know that the doctors did everything in their power, but she was desperately ill. They couldn’t save her.’
He waited for Olwen to ask more. He wanted her to prompt him to talk about her parents, but there was silence. ‘I’m sorry. I’m really sorry,’ he said. He was trying to speak normally, but his voice came out in breathy croaks. Olwen still didn’t say anything, and Johnny knew he had to carry on. He swallowed hard. ‘It’s not just the baby,’ he said. ‘It’s your mother and father.’
‘Have they come to collect me? If the baby’s dead, they don’t need to spend all their time looking after her any more, do they? They can take me home now, can’t they?’
‘No, Olwen. They can’t come.’
‘Are they ill too? Is Dad still bad?’
‘No, it’s not that …’ Johnny could tell he was making a mess of it, taking far too long to break the news, and dangling another moment of false hope. In the end he had to accept that there was no easy way to say it. ‘Oh, Olwen, I’m so sorry. They died too.’
If he’d expected anything, he’d been prepared for tears; but Olwen was suddenly angry. ‘No they’re not. Don’t lie. They’re not,’ she shouted. ‘Someone would have told me.’
Johnny fumbled in the darkness for her hand. ‘Please, Olwen, believe me. It is true. I’ve seen their graves. They both had TB, and they both died in the sanatorium at Emberley. I’m sure someone would have told you if they