Chapter Six
Five Acres Nottinghamshire England 2013
The early morning sun woke me as it streamed through the leaded windows , I hoped waking me to a better day . Visiting was at 11am today but I thought I might go into town early as I had two passport forms to drop in at the larger Post Office .
I parked up outside still eating the apple I'd grabbed for breakfast . Glancing across the road the library was just opening . The lady I'd met yesterday was turning the sign in the window from closed to open. The town was a hive of activity , with early morning shoppers . Two old women chatted busily , whilst a young girl was having an animated conversation on her mobile phone . A street cleaner passed in front of me pushing his yellow trolley whistling as a convertible car slowed to the lights Jay Z playing loudly on its sound system.
Noticing me across the road the library lady waved and shouted
" I say ...hello"
I walked over to her
" Hi good morning " I waved back .
" Oh I'm so pleased that I've met you this morning she said picking something from her extremely tailored black suit jacket pocket " You know I said I'd do some digging " She looked around as if about to tell a secret " Well , I haven't had much chance yet , but here " handing me the leaflet she had picked from her pocket .
" Thank you " I opened the leaflet
She leaned forward and whispered " It's for the Peoples Museum in Salford " she was so close I could smell extremely expensive perfume .
I started to thank her but she interrupted me .
" Lots of info on Tutbury there ....see directions on the back " pointing at a small map "On one floor is a museum called The Peoples Facility " it's an absolute treasure trove about industrial stuff , lots of mill stuff"
" Oh that will be really helpful .....thank you " I said folding the leaflet
She pointed again at the leaflet in my hand " Well...I read you have to make an appointment to visit that bit , but the numbers right there" ....prodding my hand and the leaflet
" Thanks , thank you ....I really appreciate your help " I smiled , stuffing the leaflet into my pocket ..." I will make an appointment and try and go tomorrow"
As usual the queue to the hospital trailed back onto the main road . This time the cause was a digging machine blocking the way which didn't appear to have a driver . Expecting a long wait , I took the leaflet from my pocket . Might be useful I thought . Punching the numbers into my mobile phone I made an appointment for the following morning , explaining that I wanted to find out as much as I could about Joshua Tutbury . The lady took my contact details and confirmed the appointment .
The hospital corridors were starting to look familiar and staff were beginning to acknowledge me . The walls off white with a series of meandering coloured arrows and lines directing you to a particular zone .
Just before Carols room a nurse popped her head out of the staff room as if she was expecting me . I hadn't seen her before .
" Oh Mr Tutbury"
"Yes"
She walked out to me taking my arm in a sort of guiding manner
" Your wife isn't in there , we've moved her "
" She's ok isn't she " I stopped
" Yes Yes , it will all be explained , don't worry ......Dr Blake would like to meet you , he's just through here " leading me by the arm along the corridor pointing with the other to a blue door
" She's ok though " I must have sounded anxious as she squeezed my arm
" He will explain everything , we're here now "
She knocked on the door and without waiting for a reply she walked straight in still holding my arm . I noticed the name sign Dr R M Forrester
A distinguished man in his late fifties wearing a dark suit and tie walked from behind his desk and met me his hand outstretched .
" You can leave us now nurse , please sit down Mr Tutbury "
I settled into the leather chair " You must be Mr Blake , Carol , what has happened...is anything wrong " I garbled
" No Mr Tutbury let me explain . My name is Professor Blake , I'm a Bio Chemist , I specialise in rare diseases . Tell me Mr Tutbury what do you know about the plague ? "
I sat back " The plague ...erm nothing ...Rats and London years ago "
" Mr Tutbury " Blake continued " We have moved your wife into isolation , she has all the symptoms of the plague "
My head was now spinning
" Where is she ? " I stood up " Where is she " What the fuck is going on, fuck you Blake " I felt my south Yorkshire accent grate the room
Blake held both arms out
" Please stay seated Mr Tutbury , she's undergoing tests we will know tomorrow "
I remained standing " Can I see her " panic running through my body as I spoke
" No ..........I'm sorry No........However Mr Tutbury we will need to take a blood sample from you .......to check you're ok "
He pressed an intercom button on his desk phone and almost immediately a nurse walked into the room . She appeared to know what was required as she was all ready carrying a small tray with a needle and some cotton wool
She rolled my sleeve and quickly took a blood sample and left the room
Blake took my arm , walking me back towards his door .
He smiled at Me
" Mr Tutbury , I am sure we will know more tomorrow..............goodbye "
The door shut behind me before I'd finished saying thank you
Confused I hurried towards the nearest exit and pushing it open I gasped for air .....starting to feel nauseus
A young porter pushed a trolley past me
" You ok sir "
I didn't answer just hurried blindly to my car .
I banged my fists in temper on the steering wheel .
Without thinking I started up , dropped the clutch and sped out of the car park.
The village church struck twelve as I parked up outside it
This was so ridiculous , I had to speak to a priest , why was he running from me , did he know something
I entered the church by the side entrance next to the rose garden. Which was a mass of blooms of reds yellow and white.
I paused ...I could hear two voices talking in hushed tones
I hid behind a stone pillar , pretty sure they hadn't seen me , just allowing myself enough room to see around it
The Priest was talking in French to a smaller smartly dressed man . I didn't speak French but kept hearing my name 'ce garcon tutbury .....ce garcon tutbury '
The Priest reacted angrily to something said and pointing at the other he turned away , but was spun back round by his arm .
"ce garcon Tutbury" repeated again
They both stopped speaking as a couple walked into the church
The smaller man leaned forward and whispered into the priests ear , then turned and left the church
Father Michael looked distracted , disturbed
I walked out from the pillar
" Hello Father " I raised my hand as if to wave
The Priest looked at me in horror
" Diable Diable No Non .......No" he screamed
Father Michael tried to arrange some hymn books
Dropping one book , he ran down the aisle .
I ran after him
" Father Father "
In his haste the table of bibles crashed to the floor as he stumbled against it
I drew a deep breath
" What's happening "
I chased after him knocking a table flying in my chase
I caught him in seconds grabbing his arm
" What's Happening Father , Tell me ...What do you know " I pleaded
At that moment a voice from behind shouted
" You Ok Father"
I released my grip
Father Michael brushed his robes down
" Yes thank you , I'm fine " ....he then looked me straight in the eye and turned towards his office
I heard the door lock as I stared after him
" You bothering the Father" A hand jabbed me between the shoulder blades
I turned
A huge farmer , carrying a box of crops under one arm stared at me almost filling the aisle .
I looked at him
" No mate , it's ok , sorry "
I walked past him , and out of the church and into the sunlight .
I spent the rest of the afternoon scrubbing surfaces clean in the house . Was the house infected , I don't know ...I was now panicking.
Decciding to clear my head and maybe find someone to talk to , I picked up my wallet and set off walking to the Pub. It was a beautiful night , there had to be someone who might shed some light for me .
From the brow of the hill I could see most of the village and clearly see the church . The priest was pinning a notice to the door.
I crossed the narrow road and walked down the short lane . The pavement was about six feet wide here with high bushes either side
A green handrail was in place
Two young women walked arm in arm past the church "your Fucking kidding one said "
I walked into the church
" Look father , I am so sorry for my previous comments"
The Priest turned to face me
It wasn't Father Michael , but another of similar age
" Oh I'm sorry .......I thought you were Father Michael "
The new priest looked at me
" That's ok son , I'm Father Thomas Reaney .....Father Michael left for a well deserved rest yesterday evening , I'm filling in for a while "
I looked at the new father
" But I only spoke with him a few hours ago , he never said this "
" No my son.....you must be mistaken .....he left around 9pm last night , by taxi "
He held his hand up and walked behind the alter .....with that a door slammed and he disappeared.
I stared in disbelief at the situation
I walked back toward the door , stopping in front of it. I paused my head spinning and raising my fist in anger . I shaped to hit the door .
" What the bloody hell"
I just let my hand rest against the door ....staring at the ground
I am so sick and tired of this . just so sick and tired ....I layed my head against the door