Memory House

by Ruth Hay

  He took her hand and a look she would never forget, suffused his face with pure joy.

  The future would take care of itself.

  Tonight these two lonely people would finally find peace in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 17

  At first, Mavis could not identify what was different. She dismissed the feeling and put it down to the physical changes in the house.

  More space. More people coming and going. More activity. More cars.

  All this was true, but it did not capture the atmosphere of the house. It was lighter somehow.

  Not that difficulties, of one kind or another, no longer existed around her. The unfortunate turn of events with Honor and Jared had damped down Honor’s spirits just when things between them were getting onto a new firmer basis. Honor decided to remain in the upstairs room and Mavis took that as a good sign for their future. Also, Mavis had already converted the small bedroom in the basement to a handy garden storage room and she was reluctant to lose it.

  Jannice seemed to be adjusting to Harmony House living without Mitchell. When asked, she replied nothing was settled as yet, and she had decisions to make. Mavis was just delighted to have her around still. The threat of Jannice moving to far-off Quebec City was not a comforting thought to her.

  So what could account for the lighter feeling she noticed?

  Yes, Grant was helpful to her in the garden. His height meant she could eliminate stepladders and let him use the long clippers to shear off dead tree limbs with ease. She enjoyed his conversation while they worked. He was always curious about her life and the history of the house. He asked particularly about Hilary and when questioned replied, in that lovely, soft Scottish accent, “Why, she’s the one I don’t see much. I know you two are old friends but I can’t ask her anything if I don’t get the chance, now can I?”

  He was right, of course. Mavis had been protecting Hilary. She seemed to be affected quite badly, by the noise and disruption of the workers marching around at all hours. She retreated to her tower house and stayed there, unless Mavis did something to winkle her out.

  The impromptu musical evening was one of those occasions. In fact, thought Mavis, Hilary enjoyed it very much and came alive, as she had not for some weeks now. Mavis sheered away from the thought that Hilary’s gradual decline might have lasted much longer than weeks.

  The evening in question began with a beautiful rendition of ‘Loch Lomond’ coming from the kitchen.

  The voice was tender and sweet and the melody soared throughout the quiet house drawing everyone to its source to discover the owner of the magical voice.

  Mavis took Hilary by the hand and found Jannice and Honor already in place at the table listening to Stuart singing his heart out. Although the song was familiar and not demanding in scope, it was the emotion infused in the words that brought a tear to the listeners’ eyes. Mavis recalled that the two doctors were far from their homeland and the pathos she could hear in Stuart’s singing was not in any way artificial.

  Just as she began to wonder where Grant was, in he came with a type of wooden flute in hand and he accompanied Stuart as he began to sing ‘Danny Boy’.

  Jannice knew this song was for her, and she revelled in the skill that the men brought to the high notes and the passion of those lost from Ireland over the centuries, in war or by emigration.

  It must have been the impact of the accompaniment that sent Honor tiptoeing along the corridor to her room.

  She returned with her silver flute in hand and immediately joined its clear sharp tones to the deeper sound of Grant’s instrument.

  By this time, Hilary was tapping her foot and nodding her head to a rendition of a marching song, ‘Come Along’. The chorus repeated often, and Stuart’s smile encouraged his listeners to join in. Mavis contributed a simple alto harmony and the two men seemed pleased. On the final chorus, the clapping started in time to the beat of the music, and it ended in enthusiastic applause as the cheerful song came to its close.

  “Now that was a real treat!” shouted out Hilary. “To what do we owe the privilege?”

  “Well, we just wanted a way to thank you all for helping with our studies.

  Do we have any requests?”

  Grant looked around for Vilma as he spoke. She was out walking the dogs but, no doubt, she would hear the sounds of celebration as soon as she returned.

  Mavis noted the deep baying of the dogs when they heard the men’s voices raised in the next performance. It was an old Scottish song for two singers that told the tale of a couple parted by war and the faithful girl who clung to a coin her lover had given her. ‘The Crooked Bawbee’ was new music to all assembled in the kitchen, and Vilma soon hushed the dogs, closed her room door, and tiptoed upstairs to hear the final stanzas.

  The scene that met her eyes was so unusual that she was not captivated by the music to the same degree as were the other women.

  She could not help but wonder what was going on here. Why were these two busy medical students taking the time to perform a concert for the women of the house? It was reminiscent of Braden Santiago and his cousin playing with Honor years before, but that occurrence seemed more organic and natural to Vilma. There was something odd going on here, and she stuck around to find out more about it.

  When the applause died down, Mavis welcomed Vilma.

  “You have missed such a wonderful occasion, Vilma. I think we should book these three for a musical evening downstairs so I can accompany them with the piano. Mind you, I shall require practise time and possibly more familiar songs.” Everyone laughed at this comment.

  Grant wanted Vilma to be included.

  “I hope we can count on you to join in? We need a drummer or percussionist of some kind, Vilma. Perhaps we can find a tambourine for you?”

  “We’ll see about that,” she replied. “What’s the special occasion?”

  Stuart long suspected Vilma was the sceptical one in the bunch. He quickly explained how grateful they were for the cooperation of the women, particularly in the matter of attending appointments with a hospital ophthalmologist to check their eyes.

  “We are still hopeful that you will join the group at the hospital, Vilma, but we thank you for your assistance so far. We are pleased with the results of the blood pressure and sugar level tests. Hopefully, these are not so intrusive and everyone is willing to continue.”

  Most of the women smiled at this request. It would be difficult to refuse the charm emanating from these two men. Vilma was not convinced.

  “I am interested in what you propose to do should you discover some anomalies in the results. Tests are one thing, but they are intended to reveal health situations. Have you discovered anything troubling so far?”

  It was a decidedly sour note in what had been a delightful and happy event.

  There was a silence. The women looked at Vilma in disbelief at her rude attitude.

  Stuart exchanged a quick, disapproving glance with his partner that was caught in mid-flight by Vilma. She knew now there was an underlying disagreement between the men and she was at once determined to get to the bottom of whatever subterfuge they were using to hide information that belonged to their Harmony House benefactors.

  Mavis covered over the awkward moment by inviting everyone to share tea, coffee or cold drinks and whatever delectable goodies Jannice had baked lately.

  General conversation soon filled the gap Vilma had created.

  Mavis decided she would tackle Vilma at the first opportunity and find out what was bothering her.

  Honor was delighted to be playing her flute again. She wanted to know more about the origin of the chanter Grant played.

  Jannice found the old songs were awakening feelings she mostly kept under control. She made up her mind to visit the O’Connor couple who were still living in her Old East London house. It had been too long since she saw them last.

  Hilary was trying very hard to remember the names of these two young men who came to Harmony Hous
e to play and sing a concert. She enjoyed the music so much that she wanted to invite them again.

  Stuart was angry. He had warned Grant of the lack of ethical behaviour in their enterprise. They were risking dismissal from the research projects in which they were included at the prestigious hospital. Whether Grant agreed with him or not, it was high time to sort out this business for once and all.

  If Vilma chose to report them to officials at London Health Sciences Centre, their careers were in serious jeopardy.

  Mavis and Vilma met on the porch. It was a lovely morning with clear air as a contrast to the recent heatwave. Vilma’s dogs were at her feet and happy to sit there after their morning run.

  Mavis had brought a tray of tea things from her nearby tower room. She was keen to establish good relations with her new, and nearest neighbour in the house, and she started out by enquiring after the dogs’ health.

  “Astrid is doing very well although I have concerns about her falling prey to the arthritis that is bothering Oscar.”

  As she spoke, Vilma reached down and gently stroked the head of each dog with the kind of affectionate, loving touch that Mavis recognized from her years of tending to cats.

  “How do think they will manage this winter? You are remarkably fit, Vilma, but the constant need for outdoor exercise must be demanding at times.”

  “Oh, it’s that exercise that keeps me fit, Mavis, just like the garden work does for you. Don’t you think it’s interesting how we have become a group of women, most of whom are very exercise oriented. Honor has her yoga and Jannice is the only one who never varies in size whether she exercises or not.”

  “I guess Jannice benefits from excellent genes.”

  Mavis sipped her tea. This was a good opening for her immediate concerns.

  “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you what you were getting at the other night in the kitchen when the doctors were entertaining us. There’s something on your mind.”

  “Yes, there is, Mavis, but I am sorry for spoiling what was clearly a lovely treat. I guess all my doubts came to a head in one moment and spilled over.”

  “What doubts are these? You are not a person given to fanciful ideas, Vilma. If you have concerns I want to know about them.”

  “It’s this emphasis the men have on collecting medical information from us. At the beginning, all I could see was the free access to a blood pressure monitor and I was happy with that, but then it was sugar levels and now the eye tests. It all seems excessive to me. Their reporting is minimal at best and there is no sign of the experiment ending.”

  “Are you saying we are being treated like guinea pigs? Surely that would be unfair and unethical?”

  “Exactly! Now you are getting why I am concerned. Although they have our permission, they are not being completely honest about their intentions, or about what they may be finding out about us.”

  “I do see your point, Vilma, and I have been missing the overall picture. Should we ask Jannice to contact someone in the medical field for their opinion?”

  “That’s always an option. Jannice has been preoccupied with her own concerns lately, otherwise she would be noticing this for herself. Let me tackle the men before things go any further. I want to hear what they say and I am more doubtful about them than anyone else here.”

  “Do it, Vilma! You will be acting on the behalf of all of us. When do you plan to talk to them?”

  “Tonight. As soon as they return from the hospital.”

  Chapter 18

  Grant Caskie acknowledged the truth of Stuart Ingleby’s concerns. They had a long, energetic discussion in the later hours of the musical evening, during which Stuart reiterated all his points until his partner succumbed to his logic and gave in.

  Therefore, they were prepared when Vilma Smith approached them in the kitchen, two days later and delivered her ultimatum.

  “Meet me in my suite downstairs in fifteen minutes. I do not want anyone to overhear our talk.

  No excuses! No delays! No hogwash!”

  She marched off without further explanation.

  “Well, that was clear enough! Whisky shots now, or later?”

  “I imagine later will be when they are required most. Gird your loins, laddie. We are about to enter the lion’s den.”

  “I wish I shared your humour, Grant. Gather everything together and let’s go.”

  Vilma was seated at the small table near the side window. The dogs were in their cage beside her, with the door open. She drew comfort from the fact of their presence and knew the dogs would ensure all matters proceeded as she wanted, during this interview. There was nothing in the world more likely to discourage lying than two large Australian shepherds gazing at a person with their strange blue eyes.

  * * *

  Grant and Stuart entered the open door cautiously. They had never been formally introduced to Vilma’s dogs. Astrid emerged from the alcove where the cage stood and sniffed both men. She recognized their scent from other areas of the house, but she gave Grant a longer stare as if she knew he was the leader and required watching.

  “Are these two wolves?” Stuart was reluctant to move further toward Vilma without her permission.

  “No. They are quite tame….. most of the time.”

  She invited them to sit on the two extra chairs she had brought in from the dining room. Neither man relaxed until Astrid had returned to the cage and crouched down beside her brother, both dogs giving every appearance of being on full alert.

  The situation was now exactly as Vilma had planned it.

  “Right! What do you have to say for yourselves?”

  No pleasant chitchat then?

  Stuart sighed and took the lead.

  “First we owe you an apology. Your comments the other night were perfectly appropriate and we have thought long and hard about our lack of transparency and how to make up for this.”

  “That’s a good start but I need more from you. Neither of you seems to appreciate the privilege of your position here. Harmony House is a very special place inhabited by very special women. Our trust in each other is absolute. You may not presume that our indulgence of your presence here cannot be revoked at any moment.”

  This sounded to Grant like the preamble to a court case and his antenna signalled high alert. He turned to Stuart for help.

  “We do acknowledge your generosity. We know we were in part at least, foisted on your community.

  Nevertheless, we were received here with the utmost consideration, almost as sons of the house, so to speak. It is our intention today to set everything straight.”

  Vilma said nothing. She had fired her big guns. The rest was up to them.

  Grant quickly produced a folder and began to explain the results of their study in far more detail.

  “As we originally informed everyone, there is significant interest all over the world in the diseases that rob older people of their mental powers. This is our area of study and new developments and theories are arising all the time from research groups spread out across the world. Our in-house research project received approval of our team director at LHSC even although it is a miniscule target group. What makes our project acceptable, is the opportunity to observe behaviours at close quarters as well as studying various simple test results with varied age groups.”

  “So this is why you two have spent private time with most of us. We thought you were interested in our lives here in Canada. You were studying us for different reasons entirely.”

  Stuart jumped in again.

  “Not entirely! We admire your co-housing project. It is a very supportive environment. My aging relatives in Edinburgh would benefit greatly from this kind of living situation.

  But, Vilma….….. to get to the results you wanted.

  We have been reluctant to share this for a good reason.

  You see, we found a disturbing result in our records.”

  Vilma sat up straighter, and Astrid growled a warning.

  “What?”<
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  “This was not noticed immediately, as the person in question did not comply with the blood test from the first week. We noted Jannice’s results were higher than normal but that settled down over a month, as might be expected.”

  “Who then?”

  As her owner’s voice rose higher, Astrid got to her feet and Stuart visibly quailed at the sight.

  Grant rushed on. “The results that concern us belong to Hilary Dempster. She displays consistent and unusually high values for blood pressure and for blood sugar. If she also evidences a thinning of the retina, she is at serious risk of developing dementia.”

  Vilma’s brain reeled at the very thought of an incapacitated Hilary Dempster.

  Hilary was the prime motivator for Harmony House.

  Hilary was their rock of sensible decision-making.

  Hilary had devoted years to helping seniors.

  Hilary had coached Faith and Shania through exams to college standard.

  Hilary was a bright and active senior.

  How could this be true?

  Both dogs now pushed into the small space near Vilma’s knees and lay their heads there.

  The men backed off to give the dogs space but they, too, were alarmed at Vilma’s reaction.

  “May I get you a glass of water?”

  She nodded, and Stuart carefully extracted himself and headed to the washroom.

  “Now you know why we have been so reluctant to reveal this information. It puts us in a very difficult position. You see, the study was intended to note any small changes in normal women over a period of months, if possible. We did not expect to encounter the situation we found with Hilary Dempster.”

  Vilma did not respond to Grant until she had sipped some water and swallowed several times. She signalled the dogs back to their cage before she replied. The few moments of silence had given her a chance to think and now she was ready with questions. They came out in a quick, sharp, volley the men had not expected.