The Laying on of Hands - Alan Bennett [51]
‘How do you mean?’ he said.
‘He always had to be the one, did Frank. The one who did the good turns, the one who paid out, the one who sacrificed. You couldn’t do anything for him. I had all this money and he wouldn’t even let me take him to Scarborough. We used to go sit in Roundhay Park. Roundhay Park!’
A woman went by, learning to use crutches.
‘We could have been in Tenerife.’
Midgley was glad to have at least this aspect of his father’s character confirmed.
‘I didn’t want to let him down,’ said Midgley. ‘That’s why I’ve been waiting. He wants me to let him down, I know.’
‘Poor soul,’ she said, looking at the woman struggling down the corridor.
‘What was your mam like?’
‘She was lovely,’ said Midgley.
‘She must have had him taped. She looks a grand woman. He’s showed me photographs.’ She took out her compact and made up her face. ‘I’ll go back and have another look. Then I’ve got to get over to a Round Table in Harrogate. Killed two birds with one stone for me, this trip.’
‘YOUR MOTHER’D not been dead a year,’ sniffed Aunty Kitty. ‘I was shocked.’
‘I’m not shocked.’
‘You’re a man.’
‘It wasn’t like your dad. She’s a cheek showing her face.’
‘I’m rather pleased,’ said Midgley.
‘That hair’s dyed,’ said Aunty Kitty, but it was a last despairing throw. ‘They’re sending him downstairs tomorrow. He must be on the mend.’ The drama was about to go out of her life. ‘I only hope when he does come round he’s not a vegetable.’
‘I’VE TOLD SHIRLEY to ring if anything happens,’ Valery said. ‘Not that it will. His chest is better. His heart is better. He’s simply unconscious now.’
Midgley was brushing his teeth.
‘I’m looking forward to him coming round.’ She raised her voice above the running tap. ‘I long to know what his voice is like.’
‘What?’ said Midgley turning off the tap.
‘I long to know what his voice is like.’
‘Oh,’ said Midgley. ‘Yes.’ And turned the tap on again.
‘I think I know what it’s like,’ she said. ‘I’d just like to have it confirmed.’
‘You don’t seem to like talking about your father,’ she said as she unzipped her skirt. ‘Nice shirt.’
‘Yes,’ said Midgley. ‘It’s one of Dad’s.’
‘I like it.’
He went and had a pee and while he was out she took the receiver off the phone and put a cushion over it. When he came back she was already in bed.
‘Hello,’ he said, getting in and lying beside her. ‘It’s a bit daft is this.’
‘Why?’ she said. ‘It happens all the time.’
‘Yes,’ said Midgley. ‘So I’m told.’
They kissed.
‘I ought to have done more of this.’
‘What?’
‘This,’ said Midgley. ‘This is going to be the rule from now on. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’
He ran his hand between her thighs.
‘It’s the nick of time.’
‘First time I’ve heard it called that.’
‘I hope this isn’t one of those private beds,’ said Midgley. ‘I’m opposed to that on principle.’
‘You’ve never asked me if I was married,’ she said.
‘You’re a nurse. That puts you in a different category.’ There was a pause. ‘Are you married?’
‘He’s on an oil rig.’
‘I hope so,’ said Midgley.
Later on he had a cigarette and she had a cake.
‘I was certain they were going to ring from the ward,’ he said.
‘No.’ She lifted up the cushion and put the receiver back.
He frowned. Then grinned. ‘No harm done,’ he said.
They were just settling in again when the phone rang. She answered.
‘Yes,’ she said, looking at him. ‘Yes.’
‘What’s the matter?’ said Midgley.
She put the phone down and looked away.
He was already out of bed and pulling his trousers on.
‘Had she rung before?’
She had turned to face the wall.
‘Had she?’ Midgley was shouting. ‘Was she ringing?’
‘Don’t shout. There are night nurses asleep.’
At the end of the long corridor the doors burst open.
‘It’s the biggest wonder I’d not gone into see Mrs Tunnicliffe,’ said Aunty Kitty. ‘She’s in Ward 7 with her hip. She’s been waiting two years. But I don’t know what it was. Something made me come back upstairs. I was sat looking at a Woman’s Own then in walks Joyce and next minute the nurse is calling us in and he has his eyes open! So we were