The Dark Room Read Online Free PDF Page B

left to stay with my
parents two weeks ago. Is Leo really not there any more? I don’t know who else to ask – and I’m so, so sorry if it’s embarrassing but I do need to be sure. They keep telling
me . . . things . . . that don’t make sense. They say I’ve got amnesia – that I got drunk and tried to kill myself. But – I just – oh, God . . .’ She clamped her
hand over her mouth because tears were flooding her throat. Hang up, you stupid woman.
    ‘There, there,’ said his comforting elderly voice, ‘no need for embarrassment. Good lord, I’ve had six-foot-tall men weep on my shoulder before now. Clear
answers, eh, that’s what you want. Your stepmother’s a nice enough woman, I expect, but, if she’s anything like Daphne, she’ll have managed to confuse the message somehow.
Not that I know all that much,’ he warned. ‘Never been one to poke my nose in where it’s not wanted, as you know.’
    ‘Quite. Best sort of neighbour always.’ Odd, she thought, how she picked up his shorthand when she spoke to him. Perhaps everyone did.
    ‘Leo’s been gone over a week, Jinx. Left the night you came home from Hampshire. Hope it’s not an impertinence, but I’d say you’re well shot of him.
Never did like the cut of his jib much. You were far too good for him. Funny thing is, I spoke to you on the Saturday and you didn’t turn a hair. “The bastard’s jilted me,
Colonel,” you said, “and the only bugger is he beat me to it.”’ He chortled at the memory. ‘And then, on the Sunday, there you were in your garage with the engine
running. Fact is, it was Goebbels who spotted something was up. Parked himself in front of your garage door and barked his little head off.’ He paused for a moment and she could picture him,
fluffing his moustache and squaring his shoulders. ‘Upshot was, pulled you out PDQ and got some fresh air into you. Should have done more, though. Called a doctor, got a friend round. Rather
upset about that, to tell you the truth.’
    ‘I wish you wouldn’t be. Did I say anything? I mean, explain or something?’ Her fingers tightened involuntarily around the handset. ‘I just don’t
believe – well, you know. Not over Leo . . .’
    ‘Matter of fact, I agree with you. Personally, thought it was an accident, garage doors slammed after you started the engine, that sort of thing. Not as though you had a hose
pipe attached to the exhaust, is it? Truth is, you weren’t feeling too clever afterwards, not surprising in the circumstances. But you can’t have been in there very long. Back to normal
in no time, cracking jokes and telling Daphne not to fuss. Even made a phone call to some friends you were off to see. The old girl was all for a doctor but you wouldn’t have it.
“I’m perfectly all right, Mrs C,” you said, “and if I don’t get going I’ll be late.” Worst thing was, thought you were going to squash poor Goebbels, the
way you hugged and petted him.’ He gave a gravelly laugh. ‘Hah! You said dogs were the only things worth having in your bed from then on.’
    She dabbed at her cheeks. ‘Then why does Betty think I was trying to kill myself?’ Her voice was remarkably steady.
    ‘On the principle that one swallow doesn’t make a summer but two probably do, dear girl. Dare say it’s our fault. Bobbies turned up a week ago, telling us
you’d driven your car at a wall in what looked like a deliberate attempt at suicide, and did we know of any other attempts? So Daphne piped up about the garage and how you promised
you’d be more careful in future, then told them what a rat Leo had been and, hey presto, conclusions being drawn all over the place. Silly old woman,’ he said fondly. ‘Practically
ga-ga, though, let’s face it, and awfully worried about you. Matter of fact, I did try to stem the breach by pointing out you weren’t the type, but I might have been banging my head
against the proverbial wall for all the good it did.’ He