Everything We Keep, Di Walker [best pdf reader for ebooks txt] 📗

‘Further along, on the right,’ Agatha replied. The narrow streets of Greensward were so different from the wider, tree lined streets of Sandy Vale. Each time Agatha returned the difference became more striking to her. Lawson drove past it, turned the car around and came back, stopping in front of number seventeen.

Agatha could see that the neighbours must have mowed again on Sunday. At least the front looked acceptable. By the time they had gotten out of the car, Mrs Beluga from across the street was already at her front gate. Katherine gave a friendly wave that was only half returned. The woman looked up and down the street and then came over.

‘Hello there, Agatha. Back again.’ Even though she was speaking to Agatha, Mrs Beluga was looking at Lawson and Katherine.

Lawson had stepped out of the car, took his dark Navy Commander’s jacket that had been carefully placed on the back seat and put it on. He adjusted his tie and stepped forward to a surprised Mrs Beluga. ‘Commander Lawson Bennett, Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Hobart, and you are . . . ?’

Mrs Beluga looked shocked as she took Lawson’s extended hand, looking him up and down. ‘I’m Gladys Beluga, from across the street. Navy?’ Mrs Beluga’s eyebrows rose as her eyes widened.

Agatha could not stop the smile from covering her face. It was just what she needed to see; someone put nosey Mrs Beluga in her place.

‘Yes. This is my wife, Katherine and of course you know Agatha.’

‘Yes, yes,’ Mrs Beluga stuttered. ‘So, you’ve brought her back? Again?’

‘I’m sure, Mrs Beluga,’ he said, lowering his voice and leaning in slightly, ‘you’ll understand when I say that I really can’t discuss such sensitive business.’ Agatha watched him look around, as if someone could be eavesdropping on his conversation. Mrs Beluga followed his gaze, her eyes widened. Agatha wanted to laugh out loud.

‘Oh. Of course. Absolutely. But why. . . ?’ Mrs Beluga whispered back.

Lawson, ignoring her question, gave her a slight nod then stepped back and motioned for Agatha and Katherine to head to the front door of Agatha’s house, leaving a puzzled Mrs Beluga alone on the street.

‘I was wondering why you wore your uniform. I thought it was to save another change when we got home,’ Katherine said softly.

‘Well, that was the plan. But it seems it has come in handy with Mrs Beluga. She’s a bit nosey, Agatha, don’t you think?’

‘Definitely,’ Agatha replied, still chuckling at the sight of shock on Mrs Beluga’s face.

When the three stepped onto the front veranda, it was Agatha who knocked loudly. ‘If they don’t come, I’ll go around the back.’

But the door opened. Nell, was there, just inside.

‘Nell? What are you doing here?’ Agatha asked.

‘I forgot to tell you; I have to supervise this first visit. Come in. You know where they are.’

Nell couldn’t stand at the door, there simply wasn’t enough room. Instead she moved to the doorway of the first room to let the others pass. ‘That’s my parents’ room,’ Agatha said, pointing to the door behind Nell. They kept moving sideways, along the hall. Agatha saw that the stacks were even taller than Lawson, and he was tall. ‘That’s my room.’

‘Can I?’ Katherine asked.

Agatha shrugged.

Katherine opened the door that would no longer open all the way. She stepped in and for a moment stood completely still. When she came out again Agatha could see her face had changed. She recognised it. Not anger, not disgust, but this time, sorrow. She had seen it before, only that time it was on her mum’s face.

They continued to shuffle along the hallway. ‘Sitting room.’

‘Bathroom?’ asked Lawson.

‘We passed it on the other side of the hall. There’s two stacks that you need to squeeze through to get to the bathroom; and another bedroom, but that’s completely shut off.’

‘Nora’s?’

‘Yes. No one has been in there since her funeral. Mum said no one is allowed.’ Agatha had often wondered about Nora’s room. Since it had been shut off for the past five or so years, she thought it must be the most normal looking room in the house. Once she had tried to look in through the bedroom window, but Edith had pulled down the blind.

Agatha noticed that the smell that was here the other day when she was with Tully wasn’t as bad as she thought. ‘Has someone been here Nell?’ she asked as the four stood on small patches of carpet, still in the sitting room.

‘This morning. They had to let the cleaners in to the kitchen. Court condition.’ Agatha was relieved.

‘Let’s keep going,’ Katherine said.

Agatha led the way. ‘Kitchen. Laundry. Then this way to the back veranda.’

Edith and Karl were in their chairs. Agatha knew better than to expect anything else.

‘Hi Mum, Dad.’ Agatha said. She moved to her mother and knelt, leaning in to give her a kiss on her cheek. Edith reacted as if she had no idea that the visit was taking place. ‘Aggie. You’re here! Look, I have made this for you.’ She held out, in her shaking hand, a small ball of wool. Agatha could see it was made of different lengths of assorted colours.

‘Thanks Mum. It’s beautiful.’ She stood up, turned the colourful ball over and over in her hands then looked at Katherine and Lawson who were waiting silently by the back door.

‘Mum, this is Katherine and Lawson, the carers I’m staying with.’

Edith got up out of her chair, wiped her hands over her unwashed hair, and smoothed out her dress. ‘I am Edith Grace. I am Agatha’s mother.’ She held her head high and spoke as if announcing a prize.

‘I’m pleased to meet you Edith. I’m Katherine. It is a pleasure to finally meet Agatha’s mother.’ Without hesitation Katherine took Edith’s extended hand and shook it and then gently weaved her arm through Edith’s so that they were linked. ‘This is my husband Lawson.’

Lawson stepped forward. He did a small bow and then held out