In Denial Read Online Free Page B

distant and he wasn’t just referring to the fact that you are a Sassenach.’ Doris began to smile but then appeared to think better of it. ‘He said you were in the bar asking for a room but you could just as easily have been phoning.’
    ‘ And what did he mean by that?’ Adam asked, slightly amused.
    ‘ He said that you were here but on the other hand you weren’t.’
    ‘ I’m sure he had his reasons.’
    ‘ I’m sure he did and so have I.’
    ‘ And they are?’
    ‘ I don’t know what you are, Mr Harrison, and I don’t know who you are. All I know is what you’ve told me. You’ve come here from Ashbourne in Derbyshire in England, you’re on your own, it’s the middle of the week and you’re miles from anywhere where you could be doing business.’ She waited for a couple of seconds. ‘The man I mentioned who came here about five years ago was here for a reason, and, unless I’m very much mistaken, you’re here for a similar reason.’
    ‘ And that is?’
    ‘ He was here either to escape or forget or both.’
    ‘ You’re very astute, Doris, but I really just want to be left alone.’
    ‘ I’m sure you do and I’ll respect that wish in a moment. Call me a busybody if you want but all I’ll say is, Mr Harrison, that nothing, absolutely nothing can be as bad as perhaps it appears. There is always something or somebody out there for you.’
    ‘ I’m sure there is, Doris, so normally I’d agree with you, but for me personally there is no something and no somebody.’
    ‘ There has to be a something or a somebody. If there isn’t, what’s the point of going on?’
    ‘ As I said, Doris, you are very, very astute.’
    ‘ Astute I might be, but shrewdness and common sense don’t always go together.’
    Adam smiled and began to get up. ‘And now, Doris, I really must go to bed.’
    ‘ Yes, of course, Mr Harrison.’ Doris picked up the plate. ‘I didn’t mean to pry, I …’
    ‘ You didn’t pry and I appreciate your concern, I’m just very tired. That could account for Sid thinking I was distant.’ He was trying to make light of what he’d been told, but one way or the other it did not really matter.
    ‘ How long did you say you’d be staying?’ Doris moved towards the door.
    ‘ Two, maybe three nights, if that’s all right?’
    ‘ You can stay as long as you like. If I’m right then the longer the better. Don’t get much call for rooms this time of year.’
    ‘ Thank you.’
    ‘ And will you be eating here in the evenings? I’ve got a nice bit of venison in the freezer if you like game.’
    Adam nodded. ‘That would be more than acceptable.’
    Doris opened the door.‘ And will you be here for breakfast?’
    ‘ Tomorrow, yes. In here, is it?’
    ‘ Yes, well it is while the restaurant and bar are being sorted.’ She went through the door. ‘Nice bit of smoked haddock in the freezer as well. Bit of haddock and a poached egg or two for breakfast?’
    ‘ That would be great, thank you.’
     
    *  *  *
     
    Adam went over to the window in his room and drew back the curtains. He expected to see the blackness he’d seen before but the sky had cleared. Over the roof tops between the hotel and the loch he could see the water shimmering in the moonlight, and across the loch he picked out a couple of dancing lights on the far hillside. He hoped it would be a nice day tomorrow. He hoped the sun would be shining, the birds singing - and maybe a slight breeze blowing from the south.
    Regardless, if the courage he needed was there he didn’t doubt he would be doing the right thing. In fact there had never been a choice because from the moment he saw Lucinda’s, Charlotte’s and Timothy’s bodies his destiny was sealed.
    If tomorrow was to be the day, he wanted it to be a good day to die.
    There was so much senseless killing in the world, so much needless pain. But for people whose quality of life was so poor due to illness or disability and who had decided they could take