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One

Leslie Blade stopped in the overhang of the college entrance to put up his umbrella

Rain Rainof the week

He could drive to work, but it was only a couple ofperet a bus, but they were infrequent and unreliable and there was still a ten-minute walk from the stop nearest to his house

People were dashing down the steps and out into the downpour Students crossed the courtyard with anorak hoods pulled over their heads

Leslie Blade lifted his umbrella and stepped out

Until the last fewthe main road and around by the Hill, but now the Old Market Lanes had opened he soarish lights, looking into the s of the bookshop and a couple of galleries, buying a piece of cheese or some salami from the delicatessen which stayed open until seven Itho her so of butter toffee It was a bribe, and it wasn’t what she really wanted, which was his company, but it worked She enjoyed the sweets

By the ti off the gutters and there were deep puddles at the side of the narrow cobbled way The deli was closing early

He saw her at the end of the Street, where the Lanes decanted onto the ht that spilled out fro to shelter from the rain but still remain visible Leslie quickened his step This was a new place; he had not seen any of the streets and cars were not allowed to stop in the square – only buses, and taxis on their way to the rank at the far end

But it was Abi He was sure it was Abi, even from the other end of the street Abi or just possibly Marie?

He skirted one puddle but hit the next and felt the cold water slosh up the front of his leg, soaking his trousers, and he almost fell as he reached the corner

‘Abi?’

The young wolance round, but instead went to join theTook his arm Went into the pub

Not Abi Not Marie Not one of them after all

Leslie felt angry and he felt a fool But there was no one to notice

He crossed the hts, towards the Hill

Hilary, his et hoht, it was nearer twenty past because the rain driving into his path had slowed hi out, but if it didn’t clear up, he wondered, was there much point? Would any of them be out in weather like this?

He opened the front door

Hilary always left the porch light on for him, the kettle filled and ready If he wanted her to do anything else, peel potatoes or put so into a low oven, he had only to leave a note and she would do it willingly, though he rarely made any requests She was his mother’s carer, not a domestic help He and Hilary almost never met, but communicated, if they needed to, by a series of notes – hers always cheerful and decorated with funny faces and little pencilled stars or flowers He was lucky He had heard stories of the other sort of carer – the Chief Librarian’s secretary had had a few bad experiences with her ht unkind, and one who had been a thief Hilary was dependable, strong, cheerful, reliable Leslie knew good luck when it came his way Norah Blade was not difficult, but rheumatoid arthritis as bad as hers did not make for an even temper

‘Leslie?’

‘I’e, I’m soaked’

‘It’s poured all day, I’ve watched it through these s and it hasn’t let up since you went out this ’

He could tell everything by her tone of voice Good day Bad day Painful day She sounded bright Not a bad day then

They could have a nice evening, and she’d be settled in bed before he had to go out Sometimes, if she was in a lot of pain, he had to stay up with her, play a gaht a bit shorter On those evenings he couldn’t go

The strip light was on above the kitchen worktops, a pan of peeled carrots on the cooker, a chirpy note from Hilary on the pad He felt better for dry trousers and his slippers, poured hier and checked on the casserole The curtains were not yet drawn and, as he reached up to close the down the s and the wind had dropped

‘There’s nothing much on,’ Norah said, after they had eaten supper and he had helped her back to her chair

She watched quiz garaentler comedy series

‘University Challenge?’

‘They all look so scruffy’

‘Goodness, Mother, you should see some of our students The ones on television are quite presentable’

‘There was a boy with green hair’

‘That was years ago’

‘All the same’

They could continue bantering enjoyably in this way on and off until bedtime It had taken Leslie sorurahbours made, bits and pieces in the local paper – as a safety valve She was in continuous pain, she was limited in s she never co on TV was a way of letting out a screauish and misery at her condition

So he indulged her, let her gru detective in Midsoood as his predecessor; sorammes had too much chat from presenters and too little focus on the animals He was used to it He didn’t mind

‘Hilary’s sister is expecting a baby, did I tell you?’

‘You did When’s it due?’

‘Spring soes yet But of course Hilary’s thrilled to bits They live only a few streets away from her’

‘Yes, you said’

Norah Blade never spoke a word against her carer and had never fallen out with her, even over so trivial

They watched half of a vulgar new sitcoo to bed

‘I’ve got three new library books Hilary changed for me They can’t be worse entertainment than this’ She snapped the remote control button and the television died