‘Oh, well, love, I actually came round feeling a little bit awkward aboutmynews.’
Wilbur raised his eyebrows. ‘News?’
His dreaming, honeymoon self was also curious. ‘News?’
The Ghost nodded. ‘Oh yes. Just wait till you hear this …’
Edith’s News
‘At least I won’t be so lonely, when you do go.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Maggie, in soft anticipation, while sawing at a slightly overdone roast potato.
‘Yes, Mam,’ said Wilbur, still agitated and full of tension. ‘What is it? Come on, spill the beans.’
‘Well, it’s been thirty years since your dad died. And that is a very long time. I think I have respected his memory enough to come out of the shadows and not feel ashamed of having a companion.’
The Wilbur who was asleep in 1974 and the one who was awake in 1976 both said the same thing: ‘What kind of companion?’
‘A gentleman. A very nice man. Who I have known for a long time.’
Maggie made wide eyes. ‘Ooh, Edith, you dark horse. Do we know him?’
‘Aye. Well, Wilbur does. Or thinks he does. And I’m sure he’ll have his opinions on the matter.’
‘Who is it, Mam?’
‘It’s Cecil.’
‘Cecil? I’ve never heard of a Cecil. Who on earth is Cecil?’
And then she said it. ‘You know. Cecil Parkin.’
The Ghost looked at the shared confusion of the other Wilburs. The dreaming one just as furious as the living one.
‘Mr Parkin? Our old landlord? But he’s an awful man,’ spat the living Wilbur. ‘You always told us he was an awful man.’
‘Bloody Parkin! Dougie was right about him,’ said the Dreamer.
‘Was he though?’ wondered the Ghost.
‘He’s not an awful man,’ continued Edith. ‘I mean, I didn’t like him much at first. I was quick to judge. He was doing a job. But he was always a gentleman really. He let me off payments from time to time.’
‘I bet he did.’
‘No. Nothing like that. He’s kind. He looks after me, and he takes me out. And he is generous.’
‘Aye, well, he’s generous from raising every rent on Glossop Road. So he owes you that generosity. Dougie had his number.’
‘Oh, you’re bringing Dougie into it now, Wilbur?’
‘Aye, well, why not?’
‘He paid for Dougie’s funeral. Did you ever know that? He donated to the hospital too after the fire.’
‘How long have you been together?’
‘Oh, an interrogation. Such interest for someone moving two hundred miles across the country.’
