From a Safe Distance Read Online Free PDF

he’s got a new girlfriend.’
    Max was preoccupied. He picked up the handful of papers he had just printed off and tapped them together on the desk. ‘D’you know something?’ he said, sitting in an armchair. ‘I’ve realised what I need to do.’
    â€˜What’s that then?’ Simon sat with one buttock on the desk, one foot in mid air.
    â€˜There’s no reason why I shouldn’t tell you the whole story. It’s just that –’
    â€˜â€“ Max, what are you on about?’
    Max took a deep breath. ‘What I’ve realised is that the person who really needs to know everything is Helen. Please don’t be offended, but … I’m just a coward, you see. It’s not her feelings I think I’m sparing, but my own. But then that’s not true either, is it? If I told her, I wouldn’t feel so anxious to avoid her. And several things have happened to make her suspicious – God only knows what she’s thinking now. She’s probably feeling pretty sad. I know I would feel left out if I thought she had secrets.’
    â€˜Max, this is all very well but, pangs of conscience aside, do you want to jeopardise your marriage over an old flame,who’s dead anyway? And when you haven’t even been unfaithful? You didn’t – I mean, after Helen, did you?’
    â€˜You mean, have sex with a patient? Of course not. I may be retiring soon, but that doesn’t give me an excuse to break the rules. No, I haven’t been unfaithful to Helen, with Vee or anyone else. Vee was … a long time ago.’ Max looked at Simon, stood up and slipped the new sheets of paper into his briefcase. Simon moved to a chair.
    â€˜Forgive me for saying this Simon, but what you said just now about jeopardising my marriage: you’ve got it the wrong way round,’ said Max. ‘I think I’d be jeopardising my marriage if I
didn’t
tell Helen. My discomfort and her suspicion combine to make an elephant in the room.’
    â€˜How about if I advised you
not
to read Vee’s book then? That way, the discomfort and suspicion won’t last because they don’t go too deep. I agree that you can’t leave things as they are, but if you read the book, you might be asking for trouble. It’s easier to sort out a small problem than deal with what Vee might have written. You have no guarantee it’s positive! If she was ill, she could’ve written anything about you!’
    Standing by the desk, Max thought for a moment. ‘If that’s the case, I think I’m better off knowing about it, especially as I don’t know who else has read it, apart from her brother. Wouldn’t you prefer to know what someone’s written about you – something that might have been in circulation before you even knew it existed?’
    â€˜Well, if you put it like that, I suppose so.’
    Max picked up his case and coat. ‘I’ve had an idea,’ he announced. ‘I want to be honest with Helen. And I want to get her involved. Thanks, Simon, but I know where to start.’

    While a definite plan of action eluded him at this stage, he continued recording his thoughts at home. This had become not only a routine but a necessity; he realised it was keeping Vee alive for him. He would find the right time to talk toHelen and he would read the book. This decision made him feel more confident.
    He hadn’t told Simon or Helen about Jim’s visit to Porteblanche that week, and how he had been persuaded to keep his copy of the book rather than give it back to Vee’s family. Jim had told Max that he played a “very important part” in the book; this was intriguing. While talking to Simon, he had realised that Helen was the obvious, perfect person to help him – that is, of course, if things worked out– because Simon was right: he would not be able to act alone.
    The light in the attic room changes.