Reginald Hill - The Price of Butcher

A thought has occurred-remember I was puzzled why Feldenhammers been so willing to throw his weight behind Toms support of alternative therapies? Simple answer-Sidney Parker! Min told him about seeing the doc amp; his Indian patient on the beach- amp; I bet Sid dropped a couple of large hints to get the doctor jumping aboard brother Toms hobbyhorse! Almost feel sorry for Feldenhammer-being blackmailed 3 ways for 1 offense!

Naturally all of Toms motley bunch of quacks were there too. I had a word with Miss Lee-looking more oriental than ever-even though its become clear in the past few days that her origins as Miss Doris Godley-late of Leeds amp; Tescos-far from being a well kept secret-was generally known- amp; disregarded as being of no importance! I asked her where her brother was-she said he was around somewhere-but I couldnt see him anywhere.

I thought-maybe hes avoiding me. I mean the pain of being in the presence of someone who inspires a deep but unrequitable passion must be intense. Made me feel a bit guilty- amp; a bit complacent too. I resolved if I saw him to try amp; put him at his ease. Being an object of desire has its responsibilities too-but youll know all about that!

Someone tapped me on my shoulder with a force that almost knocked me over. It was Andy Dalziel. I said-remind me not to get arrested by you! He grinned amp; said-best keep thy nose clean then lass! — Ill be back on the job soon-

I said-winding him up- amp; will you be reopening the case?-

That got a reaction.

— why? — what do you mean? — very perturbed.

I said-I mean the case of Dr Feldenhammer amp; his dalliance with a patient-for all we know hes a serial interferer!-

He shook his great head amp; said-nay lass-bit of humanity eh? — us men are weak vessels-determined woman gets her hands on us-we are putty- amp; from what I hear-yon Indian lass were real determined-

— so-as usual-its the womans fault?-

— nay-he said-its a design fault-so blame the engineer-not the engine-

Interesting-seemed to come from the heart-but before I could dig further-Franny Roote came rolling up in his chair.

Andy said-Ive been looking for you Roote-whats kept you so long?-

amp; Franny replied-my ministering doesnt run to a timetable Andy-as youll find if you care to join your fellow patients next time I call at the Avalon-

— Ill not be there next time-said Andy-Im off home tomorrow- amp; theres a few things I need to get sorted afore I go-starting with thee!-

I thought this sounded promising-but before anything more could be said the Sandytown Brass Band-which had been playing a selection from the Shows-suddenly struck up the kind of fanfare you get when the Queen turns up somewhere- amp; as it died away over the loudspeakers a voice I recognized as Diana Parkers said-ladies amp; gentlemen-the opening ceremony will now commence-please give your attention to the man of the moment-Mr Tom Parker!-

There was a dais in front of the hotel-high enough for those on it to be visible to all of us crowded on the lawn. Tom advanced to the microphone-getting a rapturous round of applause. He held up his hands till the noise died away-then he said-this is a splendid amp; significant occasion-long anticipated- amp; marred only by the absence of one of its prime movers-who was a dear friend to me-as she was to everyone in Sandytown. Let us therefore observe a minutes silence in memory of one so tragically taken from us-Dear Daphne Denham-

You could have heard a feather drop-let alone a pin.

Then Tom marked the end of the silence by clapping his hands- amp; everyone joined in-producing an even bigger round of applause than the one that had greeted him- amp; all for Lady D. I felt the tears in my eyes-even Andy looked moved amp; poor Franny bowed his head to hide his expression.

Then Tom made his speech. Id feared he might get carried away-he can rattle on forever about the wonders of Sandytown as Ive tried to show you-but this was a masterpiece of concision-wise-witty- amp; to the point. Health was the basis of happiness-he said-Happiness was the outcome of health. Sandytown was devoted to offering both conditions to all who visited her.

A quick run though the attractions on offer-including of course the Avalon amp; all his team of alternatives-who would all be available for consultation in some ducky little tents scattered around the grounds-then-with a cry of-Be Healthy-Be Happy! — he declared the Festival open.

While all this was happening-Franny had contrived to put some distance between himself amp; Andy Dalziel-who said-he can run-but he cant hide.

I said-whats so urgent that it cant wait-on a lovely day like this?-

He said-how about the truth?-

I said-the truth about what?-

He said-dont disappoint me lass-

amp; I felt sick inside-because I wanted it all to be over- amp; Id been telling myself that any doubts I had were daft-I was a newly qualified psychologist not a copper- amp; if the pros were happy then who the hell was I to carry on worrying! Hows that for humility! But now big fat Andy Dalziel was kicking me when I was down.

He moved off-then another finger tapped me on the shoulder-by contrast with the Dalziel thud! not a tap at all-a real tentative touch-like being brushed by a falling leaf.

I guessed it was Gordon Godley-but when I turned there was this young guy standing there-clean shaven-hair cut short to his skull-smiling at me shyly.

It was the shy smile that gave him away.

I said-Jesus-is that really you-Gord?

He said-yes-sorry-I didnt mean to surprise you-

I said-no-yes-I mean I am surprised-but it suits you-really it does-

He grinned like a schoolboy- amp; I found myself grinning back.

It really did suit him-I mean-he hadnt turned into Brad or Leonardo-but he was OK-more than OK-he was pretty neat!

I said-but why-then stopped myself cos I thought-you dont want to hear the answer. Then I found myself thinking-dont be silly-why not hear the answer? — no one has ever cut off their hair amp; beard for you before girl-probably never will again-enjoy it while you can!-

— Why did you do it? — I asked.

— I hoped-well I didnt really-not hoped-but I thought-if theres the faintest chance it would make a difference Id be crazy not to do it-but Im not expecting you to say straight off if it makes a difference-not till youve got used to it-I mean Im still getting used to it myself-

I think hed have gone on talking forever if I hadnt stopped him.

I said-its fine- amp; yeah I prefer it-but that doesnt mean anything except-I prefer it!-

— step in the right direction-he said-means I dont have to wear the wig amp; the false beard!-

Hed actually made a joke! Godly Gordon had a sense of humor! For me that was a bigger step than short back amp; sides-not that I was going to tell him that!

I said-I heard about you amp; Clara-up at the Avalon-

That got him all shy again-not boy-girl shy-but this-is-real-private-stuff shy.

He said-yeah-well-you know-

I said-no I dont actually-so how does it work-

Then he looked at me straight on-not a sign of shyness- amp; said dead serious-its the spirit moving through me-I dont know how-I dont even know which spirit-all I know is I dont use it-it uses me-

I wanted to ask more-but that would have meant another step-this one from me-toward the kind of closeness that might get him to open up-

Careful girl-I admonished myself.

I said-maybe Ill give you a call-if ever I have toothache-

He said-yes-do-but I think of you anyway-I mean I hold you in the light-

I said-sorry? — amp; he said-I mean-whatever my gift can do to keep you from harm-you dont have to be present for it to work-not always-if youre being held in the light-

I said-oh- amp; is that the only way you think of me then?-