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All heads turned in their direction and the noise level increased, as they broke into simultaneous conversation.
Calvin glanced at Nelson, wondering what the poor guy made of this rather raucous gathering. He couldn’t imagine other care homes allowed such boozy evenings. ‘Sorry about this. It’s movie night. It’s not normally so rowdy.’
Nelson grinned. ‘It’s good to see everyone having fun.’
He was tactful, Calvin would give him that.
‘And who do we have here?’ Rowan looked far too hot in his bright red ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ jumper.
‘This is Nelson, our new locum nurse. I’m giving him the guided tour. Esme, Rowan, Larry and Deshad are all residents here,’ he said, gesturing to each one as he introduced them. ‘Geraldine over there is our chef… And this is Suki, Geraldine’s dog.’ Suki trotted over and sniffed Nelson’s crotch.
Calvin snapped his fingers, calling the dog away. Embarrassing animal.
‘Not that she behaves like she’s my dog anymore,’ Geraldine said, squinting at the remote. ‘She’s switched allegiance.’ She banged the gadget on the floor. ‘What is wrong with this darned thing? Why won’t it work?’
Calvin went over. ‘What are you trying to do?’
‘We want to watchScrooge, but the video won’t work.’
Calvin pressed the play button, and when Albert Finney’s face appeared on the screen, they all cheered and broke into a round of applause like he’d brokered world peace.
‘He’s so clever,’ Esme said, her elbow slipping off the armrest.
Rowan nodded. ‘Youngsters these days are so IT savvy. I don’t understand half of what they know.’
‘Speak for yourselves,’ Geraldine said, sounding grumpy. ‘My brain works just fine, thank you. The remote was playing up.’
Rowan blew her a kiss. ‘Whatever you say, darling.’ He turned to Nelson, his paper hat obscuring one eye. ‘You’re welcome to join us, young man. We don’t stand on ceremony here, the staff let their hair down as much as the residents.’
Calvin inwardly cringed; it hardly made them sound very professional.
‘Maybe later,’ Nelson said, tactfully. ‘Enjoy the film, it’s my nanna’s favourite.’
Rowan looked delighted. ‘Ursula’s too.’
Nelson looked around the room. ‘Who’s Ursula?’
‘Oh, Ursula is—’
‘A former resident,’ Calvin cut in, before they freaked the man out completely. ‘We’d better get on with the tour. It’s getting late and Nelson needs to settle in.’ He ushered Nelson from the room before Rowan could launch himself into one of his ghost stories. ‘I’ll show you the dining room.’
‘Bye, Nelson!’ Esme’s elbow slipped off the armrest again, spilling wine everywhere.
Rowan waved manically, dislodging his hat completely. ‘Lovely meeting you!’
Lucky Larry caught Nelson’s eye. ‘I bet your training didn’t prepare you for this?’
Nelson laughed. ‘I’m one of six siblings. This is nothing compared to the Christmases at our house.’
Once in the safety of the lobby, Calvin offered him an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry about that. Things aren’t normally so unruly.’
‘It’s Christmas,’ he said, with a good-natured shrug. ‘They’re having fun.’
‘The dining room is over here.’ Calvin showed him the long room, set up for breakfast. ‘And through the back is the kitchen.’
Nelson nodded his approval, admiring the stag antlers on the walls and the open brick fireplace. ‘The building has character.’
‘It’s also falling apart, but we try to focus on the positives. The staff and residents’ rooms are upstairs,’ he said, heading for the stairwell. ‘I mentioned to the agency that free board and lodging are available, if you want to stay over rather than travel here for each shift. Did they pass on that information?’
