Where the Memories Lie Read Online Free PDF Page B

bed, head propped up with
    one hand. ‘I don’t know how to say this, but when I got to the nursing home today, Mary said he’d been having some bad dreams and
    acting agitated afterwards.’
    ‘I thought you were going tomorrow, not today.’
    By then, I’d completely forgotten what Nadia had told me
    before about Lucas and his possible affair. I wanted to tell Ethan
    about that, too, ask his opinion, but I’d promised to keep her secret.
    ‘Well, Nadia was tied up with some stuff so I said I’d go. Anyway,
    Tom’s been acting strange after these dreams, they said.’
    ‘He’s got Alzheimer’s. He’s been acting strange for years. And
    he’s had bad dreams for a long time. What do you mean by strange?’
    I stared up at the ceiling and took a breath.
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    Where the Memories Lie
    ‘Liv?’
    There was no easy way to repeat what Tom had told me so I just
    blurted it out. ‘He said he’d killed someone called Georgia.’
    Silence on the other end. Then, ‘What do you mean? Killed
    someone?’
    ‘Just what I said. Tom’s been dreaming about someone called
    Georgia. Afterwards, he gets very upset and agitated, so much so
    that Mary asked if I knew anyone called Georgia because Tom told
    her she’d disappeared.’
    ‘Disappeared? Well, who is this Georgia?’
    ‘I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to explain. I asked him
    about her and he said she was haunting him. That she wouldn’t
    leave him alone. And then, when I took him outside for a walk
    and some fresh air, he told me he’d killed her.’ My head throbbed.
    Probably with the wine, but maybe from anxiety, too.
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Liv!’
    ‘I’m not being ridiculous. I’m not being anything. I’m just
    repeating something Tom told me and the staff.’
    ‘Well, it doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t even know anyone
    called Georgia. Neither do I. He’s just confused. I mean, last week he came out with a really obscure story about walking along the
    Great Wall of China, and he’s never even been there!’
    I rubbed my forehead. ‘I know, I know. I’ve been thinking of all
    the strange things he’s talked about lately that either didn’t happen or didn’t happen like he’s remembering them. It’s just . . .’
    ‘Just what?’
    ‘The look on his face. He really believed it, I’m sure. He believed he’d killed her.’
    ‘Liv! This is Dad you’re talking about. The man who traps field
    mice in humane traps so he can relocate them back outside and not
    have to kill them. The man who gets dogs from the rescue centre
    because he can’t bear to see them alone and unloved. The man who
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    Sibel Hodge
    spent six months doing volunteer work in India when he retired
    so he could help build schools and houses for poverty-stricken
    villages! He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s just confusing some story from another resident or a newspaper article he’s read, and thinks he’s
    done something when he hasn’t. Or he’s made it up. You know
    yourself that Alzheimer’s is capable of producing hallucinations
    and delusions.’ He paused for a second. ‘I’ll go and see him at the weekend with you, but, honestly, we’ve been here before with him
    talking about stuff that’s never happened.’
    ‘Yes, I know all that, but still, he . . .’ I trailed off, feeling ridiculous then for even bringing it up. Ethan’s voice sounded reassuring and confident and comforting, and he was absolutely right. Of
    course he was. ‘Yes, I agree. You’re right. He’s just confused.’
    ‘I’m always right.’ He laughed.
    ‘Hey, you’re living in a house full of women. The women are
    always right here. You’re only right when you’re asleep.’ I laughed back and changed the subject. ‘So, how’s the hotel project going?’
    He groaned. ‘The directors keep changing their minds at the
    last minute, which results in yet more headaches and delays. And
    at night I’m sick of seeing the inside of this hotel room where I’m staying. The