Nine Ten Begin Again: A Grasshopper Lawns affair Read Online Free PDF Page B

couldn’t possibly offer full care to twenty-six residents and once we employed a second person, the cost would need to be covered somehow. She told me contract night nurses are brought in whenever residents have to stay in Frail Care, and that for the rest she relies on one of the residents, a retired Indian medic, as her back-up. I really don’t think the Trust has any idea what goes on here.’
    ‘Well, now.’ Patrick gave her a very steady look under his bushy white brows. ‘I’m thinking that it is you who has no idea of what goes on here, and that surprises me, because I know you would have been fully briefed. The Trust doesn’t need to turn a profit, or even cover costs, but luckily it does. It’s a retirement village for anyone over fifty-five, not an old-age home, even though some of the older residents are now heading into their eighties. Residence here is conditional on being active, mobile and independent, and the matron does a superb job of ensuring residents are fit and healthy. Many of the residents like to work part-time in the administration of the place, which has always been encouraged and always will be, and they are fully monitored by the staff. In fact I have to echo the administrator: every member of the staff does an excellent job.’
    ‘They waste money hand over fist,’ Jemima argued, undeterred, and he shook his head patiently.
    ‘They have annual budgets and stay within them. You will have to take your comments about those budgets to the Board direct, because, as the Trust accountant, I helped set them. Jemima, I asked to speak to you today because of the stream of complaints we’ve been getting from both the staff and the residents. The Board will be insisting that control of the rota rests with the administrator. Only she, after liaison with the various department managers, will decide who is employed where and to do what. I appreciate you asked to be able to place people here, but that is something that must go through the established channels. We also have to insist that you wait for the department managers to come to you to discuss sourcing suppliers, or maintenance contracts, or any other financial matters. The bursar role was outlined to you in detail, and I checked it when the complaints started coming in. One of your responsibilities is to spot-check the day-to-day accounts to ensure no financial irregularities, but you are expected to raise any issues with the relevant staff member first, with the Trust second, and only on request are you to look for solutions.’
    He gazed at her blandly and she fidgeted, annoyed.
    ‘And you are happy to have a prostitute on the front desk?’ She went back to an earlier accusation and Patrick glanced across at Edge, lifting his brows.
    Edge’s earlier fury had evaporated under Patrick’s calm firm manner, but she was still annoyed. ‘You make her sound like a streetwalker. Actually, she was an actress and entertainer. The fact that she was also a successful madam isn’t exactly tattooed on her forehead. She’s one of several residents who likes to be on standby. Every resident here has an interesting past; you don’t seem to know that’s another condition of acceptance? This is not a village for timid types afraid to rock the boat when we’re bullied. And if there are any other complaints it won’t only be the staff taking them up, it will be the Residents’ Association as well.’
    The two women glared at each other in a perfection of loathing, but it was Jemima’s eyes that dropped first.
    Donald loses his temper
    ‘Do you think she’ll resign?’ Edge asked in an undertone as they went back down the stairs, and Patrick shook his head.
    ‘I hope not,’ he said frankly. ‘I think she was only being a touch over-zealous. She’ll sulk for a while, then remember why she’s doing this and get on with the job. She really is qualified to handle the day–to-day finances, you know. She just needs to learn a touch more diplomacy