Against All Odds

by Marian L. Jasper

  Liza had lunch with Mat, JJ and Si as they were always called when they were together. They were getting excited about Christmas and had already sent their letters off to Father Christmas. Luckily, they had all been talking about what they were going to put in their letters to Father Christmas for a long time and Patrick and Liza had managed to get most of what they wanted.

  Joe called for Liza and they made their way to the doctor’s house. He seemed to be quite lucid but to Liza he seemed to have aged overnight. He jumped up as Liza entered and grabbed her in a bear hug; Joe moved forward to rescue her if necessary, but all he was doing was holding her and apologising profusely for upsetting her so badly by telling her that she and her baby were going to die.

  “It did upset me at the time, but I know you weren’t feeling yourself that night. I didn’t think you would be able to remember what you said,” said Liza.

  He released her from his over friendly hug and said, “I don’t remember what I said or what I did that night, but I have been told by several people how I conducted myself and I’m very ashamed.”

  “I can understand you feeling ashamed if you had known what you were doing, but as you didn’t then please don’t worry about it,” said Liza.

  The doctor suddenly started crying, tears were pouring down his cheeks and he was beginning to mumble incoherently. Liza thought that the moment to ask him about the house had passed and she would have to try again some other time.

  Through his tears, Dr Bridges rambled on and then said, “I said something that I should never have mentioned to anybody. I broke a vow and two people are now very unhappy.”

  “Please don’t say anymore and don’t upset yourself. I know it will be something that can eventually be solved,” said Liza not really believing what she was saying, and she knew that it had to be to do with Captain and Bea Graves and it was very serious.

  “I understand that you will be moving in with Mrs Henshaw shortly. She seems a very nice person, are you looking forward to it?” asked Liza.

  “I know that there are times that I need looking after and I like her. I always have liked her. Her husband had a mental problem and she looked after him well,” was all he said on the subject.

  “What are you going to do with your house, doctor?” asked Joe.

  “Nothing; I won’t need it anymore,” said Dr Bridges.

  “Do you want to sell it then, doctor?” asked Liza.

  The doctor was laughing. “Don’t be silly, Liza; I can’t sell what isn’t mine.”

  “Whose house is it then, doctor?” asked Liza.

  “Nobody’s. The house was there and I just moved into it years and years ago,” laughed the doctor.

  “It’s rather a large house to have no owners,” said Liza.

  “Joe will remember that I had rooms built on at the back so that the surgery could be easy to get to at the front,” said the doctor.

  “So, you spent quite an amount of money on it then Dr Bridges and you treated it as your own so you should have some recompense for it. I’ll look into it for you, doctor,” said Liza. “We’ll organise help for you in your move to Mrs Henshaw’s. Are there any particular pieces of furniture or other items that you want to take with you?”

  The doctor just shrugged his shoulders and went off into a dreamlike state and Liza was worried about leaving him alone in that way. She was right to feel like that as an hour later he was found wandering through the town shouting at passers-by. Kathy led him back to his house and sent Greg to Mrs Henshaw to see if she was in a position to take the doctor in immediately. Liza was going to let Kathy and Joe sort the physical welfare of the doctor out, she was going to see Gabriel to find out the legalities of having a house that appeared to have no owner.

  Gabriel’s opinion was that as the doctor had been so long living in the house then he had squatters’ rights over it. The doctor could sell the property or rent it. Gabriel said that he would draw up documents putting the house in Doctor Bridges name and then drawing up a power of attorney so that the property could be sold in the event that the doctor became totally incapable of making any decisions.

  “Do you think it would be better if he was persuaded to sell the property immediately rather than waiting to see if the new doctor, whoever he may be, can afford to buy or prefer to rent the premises?” said Liza.

  “It would save time and worry if it was dealt with immediately, and I suppose you’ll offer to buy it now and let the town think that they have sorted it all themselves. One of these days somebody may thank you for what you do but of course, they would have to know it to be able to thank you, wouldn’t they?” said Gabriel.

  “There’s not much point in having money if you don’t spend it but you have to appreciate, Gabriel, that if I buy this property, it’s another one that I’ll earn rent on, or I’ll make a profit when I sell it, so I’m not totally altruistic,” said Liza.

  “You’d give Dr Bridges money for his house even if it wasn’t his, wouldn’t you, Liza? No, don’t answer me, I know you would. Right, I’ll draw up all the documentation for you to immediately buy at the same time as I draw up deeds for Dr Bridges. That should keep it legal,” said Gabriel. “How many properties do you own now?”

  “You don’t need me to tell you, Gabriel; you draw up all my documentation,” smiled Liza.

  She arranged with Gabriel to go with her the next day to see Dr Bridges and hope that he would have one of his more lucid moments when they discussed the sale of his home and the power of attorney for his future needs.

  ***

  Liza made her way home; she was feeling inexplicably tired and she had an overwhelming feeling of worry about Bea. It was not her business but the captain appeared devastated by whatever the doctor had divulged at the party. She wondered whether many people had heard whatever it was that had been said, and if that was the case she knew that it was only a matter of time before she heard the gossip. Ada knew, but she wasn’t saying and possibly Sean and Mark had heard as they were the ones leading Dr Bridges to the hospital. The doctor had been shouting loudly that evening, although she didn’t hear what was said, she only heard that he was making quite a noise. Possibly those nearer knew what his accusations were and it seemed that it was something really embarrassing for Bea and the captain.

  Patrick was already home when she arrived and both he and Zelma made her sit with her feet up whilst they dealt with the boys’ supper. Liza could see that Patrick had something on his mind but was not going to talk about it until they were alone. She’d had a busy day and really did not want to sort out anything further, all she wanted to do was relax with Patrick and think about nothing other than what they were doing.

  Finally, the boys were in bed; the dishes were washed and put away and Zelma went to her home.

  “Did you sort out Dr Bridges today, Liza?” asked Patrick.

  “Yes, as much as Joe and I could, given his mental problems. He told Joe that he wanted to see me and when I turned up he was so apologetic about what he had done the other evening. He didn’t remember it, but he had been told what he had said. He was very upset that he had worried me and concerned that he had hurt others. I’ve been sorting out his house with Gabriel and I’ve got to go and see the doctor again tomorrow. Don’t worry, I won’t be going alone, Gabriel is going with me,” said Liza.

  “You were visiting at the fort today, did the colonel sort out your letters for you?” asked Patrick who was obviously skirting around what he wanted to tell her.

  “Yes, my letters are well on their way now. What is it that you have to tell me Patrick? We normally keep other people’s gossip to ourselves, but I have concerns about a particular friend and I’m sure you have information that I am not at present privy to. Is it to do with Bea and the captain?” asked Liza.

  “Yes, I’m afraid it is, and Bea may need your help and support. I’d say that the captain also needs it but whether he would accept help from anybody, I doubt very much. They are no longer living together, Bea
has locked herself away and won’t even let Ada in,” said Patrick.

  “She wouldn’t let me in this morning, Ada just said that she was a little under the weather, but I knew that was a lie. Do you know what it was that the doctor said to cause all this, because it has to be to do with his tirade the other evening. He told me that he had divulged a confidence and made two people very unhappy,” said Liza.

  “I would prefer that you get your information from Bea herself as whatever others are saying can only be gossip and could already have become twisted. All I will pass on to you is that it is about something that happened possibly ten years ago,” said Patrick.

  Liza thought about it for a while. “It doesn’t take a genius to work it out. Ada knows what happened, and she and Bea knew who to contact when I was in difficulties a few years ago. When I’ve sorted Dr Bridges out with Gabriel tomorrow, I’ll go to the fort and try to see Bea and failing that, I’ll get some answers from Ada. She knows that what she tells me will go no further. Both she and Bea have done so much to help me through many difficult times; it’s the least I can do to try to help in return.”

  “Yes, I believe I’ve put two and two together correctly, but I don’t want to say any more yet,” said Patrick. “It’s really quite worrying the number of secrets that Dr Bridges could divulge. There must be a great many people living in fear of their past upsetting their present.”

  “I suppose, in many ways I’m fortunate that the only secret that Dr Bridges can say about me is that I’m going to die. But aren’t we all, so it’s no secret,” smiled Liza, but Patrick saw nothing funny in it.

  “I know you’re making light of it, Liza, but I realise it’s unsettled you. Let me put you to bed, my Liza. I think you need a cuddle tonight, I know I do,” said Patrick.

  Liza smiled and nodded.

  ***

  Gabriel and Liza headed off to see Dr Bridges the next morning. He was now at Mrs Henshaw’s and he was sitting comfortably in the main armchair in the front room. He was neat and tidy and smiling happily. Today he was very lucid and was so pleased to see them both. Liza had warned Gabriel to explain to the doctor in relatively plain language rather than in legal jargon the fact that he really owned the house he had been living in for years. It took a minute or two for the doctor to understand what he was being told, but then asked Liza what she thought he should do about it.

  “Well, doctor, you don’t need the house any more so there are two possible outcomes. The first is that you rent it to the new doctor whoever he may be and the second is that you sell the house and put the money away so that it would make your life more comfortable than it otherwise would be. The decision is really yours, do you feel capable of making a decision?” said Liza.

  “I’d like the two of you to make the decision for me, please. I can’t think straight any longer,” said Dr Bridges.

  Gabriel explained that a Power of Attorney would be a good idea and did he have in mind anyone that he would trust to act on his behalf should the time come when he was not capable of making his own decisions. He said that he trusted both of them so Gabriel drew up a joint Power of Attorney which was witnessed by Mrs Henshaw.

  Whilst Mrs Henshaw was still in the room, Liza asked if Dr Bridges would be agreeable to her buying the house at the market value as she did not want anyone to think that she was taking advantage of the doctor when he was vulnerable. So it was agreed that Liza now owned yet another property in Benson, not that either Mrs Henshaw or the doctor knew of her holdings.

  Their first duty, as those responsible for the doctor, was to ensure that Mrs Henshaw was to be paid a reasonable amount for looking after him and then Liza said that she would go to the bank and set up an account in the doctor’s name so that his money could be invested and gain interest for his benefit. To the surprise of them all the doctor put his hands in his pockets and pulled out wads of cash and said there was more stashed away in various places in his house but he couldn’t remember where. Both Liza and Gabriel reassured him that they would go and search his house and find every last cent and place it in the account that was going to be arranged. They left having achieved everything that they set out to do, but had now the added responsibility of minutely searching the doctor’s house.

  “This is going to be a more difficult task than I had first thought,” said Liza.

  “I’ll search the house, Liza, but I do need you to be there to witness what is found,” said Gabriel.

  “We’ll have to search it before I get anyone in to clean and make it ready for the next doctor. I had hoped that I could just sort what was worth keeping and what had to go and clean it and decorate in places,” said Liza.

  “Let’s go and make sure it’s locked securely. We’ll have to try to find the money as quickly as possible, will you be free later today?” asked Gabriel.

  “I’ve got to go to the fort for a couple of hours, but I’ll try and get back just after lunch. I think we could ask either Kathy or Joe to help us. They are old friends of the doctor and would understand the urgency of finding the money, if indeed there is any hidden there. I’ll call in on them and ask for help and then I’ll arrange with Mr Pembroke at the bank for an account to be set up and pay in all this cash and arrange a transfer from my account for the purchase of the house. I’ll arrange that I am a signatory on the account and tell him that you will call in later and also become a signatory. We’d better make it a joint signatory. After that I’ll go to the fort and get back as soon as I can,” said Liza.

  “I’m concerned that you’re now doing too much Liza. Do you need to go to the fort today?” asked Gabriel.

  “Yes, it’s important that I get there today,” said Liza.

  Gabriel looked at Liza and nodded knowingly, “Yes, you’re probably needed there at the moment. Please try to take it a little easy.”

  Within the hour they had secured the house; Liza had called into the store and explained to Kathy and Joe their problem with finding money in the doctor’s house and they said they would help; she went to see Mr Pembroke and arranged the banking facility for the doctor telling him that Gabriel would be in later to also sign. She then was on her way to the fort.

  Patrick was just getting ready to leave on a short patrol. He was pleased to see that she had made it there but was concerned that she was looking a little tired. The captain came out of his office and barked at the men to get on their way. Patrick raised his eyebrows saying that the captain had been like a bear with a sore head all morning. Liza nodded and said she would do what she could and then made her way to Ada’s quarters.

  Ada was alone and looked very harassed but managed a smile when Liza arrived.

  “Where’s Bea?” asked Liza. “There’s no point telling me she’s under the weather. I didn’t believe you the other day and I won’t believe you now.”

  “She is under the weather, but she has reasons to feel that way,” said Ada.

  “A few years ago when I was so ill after the Frank Wyley business, I realised that you, Bea and Kathy had a secret, otherwise you would not have known what to do to help me stay alive. I knew that the secret concerned a procedure to do with clearing up either before, during or after an unwanted pregnancy. Dr Bridges’ reaction to what you all did for me was strange for a medical man and he seemed to have his reasons for disapproving,” said Liza.

  Ada said nothing.

  “Dr Bridges obviously let slip, in his delusional ravings the other night, something that has caused a huge rift between Bea and the captain. If none of you had come to my assistance in the past, I would not be here now; the least I can do is attempt to come to the assistance of a very dear friend if it is at all possible. It is none of my business apart from the fact that if I had not gone outside on the night of the party, nobody would have been the wiser that Dr Bridges was there. Because he saw me he started shouting and creating havoc which he obviously extended to others, including Bea, so in many ways I was to blame for whatever happened that night. Please tell me how I
can help,” said Liza.

  “The only help that could be given is if you could work a miracle on the captain and if you approached him, he would probably tell you to mind your own business,” said Ada.

  “I’m not going to go marching into his office telling him what to do; he’d have every right to tell me to mind my own business if I did that. I’d like to see Bea and try to give her the same support that she has given me over the years. I also have to give support to the captain, he has helped me on numerous occasions but he hasn’t shut himself away from people and Bea has and that worries me,” said Liza.

  “I haven’t seen her for days, but I have heard her moving around her quarters. I spoke to her through her door two days ago, I believe she is packing ready to leave. I don’t know where she will go; she has been with the captain so long now and been here in Benson for years. Her only friends are here; she has no family so I don’t know what she has in mind,” said Ada.

  “I’m sure the captain would be concerned at her leaving; he knows that she would have nowhere to go. Whatever happened was many years ago and both Bea and the captain have appeared so happy together all the time I’ve known them. There has obviously been a slip sometime in the past as far as Bea is concerned and even if she felt something for whomever the person was, it has long gone now. Your vow of confidentiality does you credit, Ada, but I’m afraid I will probably hear the gossip soon enough and mostly gossip is inaccurate,” said Liza.

  “Shall we try to see Bea? I have tried many times, but only saw her the day after the party and she was so upset that I didn’t get much sense out of her. I tried to talk to the captain but he has refused to discuss anything with me, he was polite but that was only because I am the colonel’s wife,” said Ada.