The Uninvited

there, I need them too.’ He pauses.‘Remember those times you were goodenough to come to the hospital with me,when Helena was dying?’‘Of course.’ There was a lot of waiting.We’d sit on the plastic benches and he’dmake dark jokes about botched surgeryand hospital superbugs. When he went into see Helena or her consultant I bought usfood and drinks from vending machines.‘You know why I never broke down?’‘Because British men of yourgeneration and stature are traditionallyproud and don’t show their feelings inpublic.’‘That’s true. But mostly because youstuck to the facts and never sugar-coatedanything. That’s what this task requiresnow. Someone independent who won’t be