Page 58 of Calling Frank O'Hare

‘I’m afraid Frank’s a bit of an innocent in these matters,’ said Gavin.

The doctor’s face softened. ‘Addicts can be very clever when it comes to deception. We need to get her to hospital.’

An addict? Ellen was an addict? That was just ridiculous. He’d have known. He’d have spotted the signs.

‘Can we take her in the car, or do we need an ambulance?’ Gavin had taken charge. Frank was still reeling.

‘An ambulance would be best. Where’s the phone? I’ll make the call,’ said the doctor.

A few minutes later he was back. ‘They’re on their way. Don’t worry, they’re very discreet.’ He was talking to Gavin. Naturally. Gavin was the grown-up here. Frank was just the naive bystander, the unfortunate ignoramus who happened to be Ellen’s husband.

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Frank, trying to regain some semblance of competence.

The doctor exchanged glances with Gavin. ‘Perhaps you could follow us in Gavin’s car?’

Gavin drove through the busy streets, the only sound in the car being the classical music playing on the stereo. Frank had no idea what it was. He’d not been brought up to either know or appreciate classical music, but he had to admit there was something soothing about it. It helped to block out the images of the men in white coats strapping Ellen into a wheelchair while she kicked and bit them.

They drove past the hospital he’d expected them to stop at, and headed off in a direction away from the next nearest one. ‘Where are we going?’

‘The Richmond Park. It’s a private clinic. They know how to manage her.’

Alarms bells went off in Frank’s head. ‘Has she been there before?’

Gavin kept his eyes on the road and his face unreadable. ‘Haven’t we all?’

‘Actually no. We haven’t all been there before. I’m an innocent, remember?’

‘I’m sorry, Frank. I didn’t mean to patronise you. The place is just so well known in our circles for dealing with these issues. I forget sometimes that–’

‘I’m not from your circles?’

‘Quite. She’ll have to stay there for a while. It’s for the best. Leave it to the experts.’

‘She’s not an addict.’

‘Let’s see what the experts say,’ said Gavin. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m inclined to agree with you.’

The Richmond Park was a big house, very much in the style of the Montagues’ country home. Frank and Gavin were shown into a plush room that could have been a drawing room in a former life. They waited there until the doctor returned to tell them Ellen was settled and there was no point in them staying.

Frank went in to say goodbye to her. She was in a deep sleep. He understood then that settled was just a softer way of saying sedated. At least she looked peaceful.

On the drive back, he memorised the route for when he came back to visit. The classical music was becalming his tortured heart again. He couldn’t help feeling he’d let Ellen down, but he didn’t know how. All he knew was that she needed him and he wanted so badly to protect her.

‘Will you tell anyone about this?’ said Gavin.

‘I don’t know. Adrian, probably. He’d want to know. You?’

‘God, no.’

‘Won’t your parents want to be told?’

‘Afraid not. They stopped wanting to be told a long time ago. Well before you arrived on the scene. If you go to see her tomorrow, I won’t be able to take you. I have an early flight to Hamburg. Business trip.’

‘That’s okay, Gavin. I can get there by myself. I am a fully-fledged adult with a job and everything you know.’

Gavin smiled. ‘Ah yes, I keep forgetting.’

Frank let himself into the flat again. The lights were still on. He went into the bedroom and lay down on the bed. Ellen had left a pile of her clothes on there. He covered himself with them and laid a blouse across his face. There’d been no men in balaclavas, although in some ways he’d have preferred it to be them, because they were something he understood. He wished his da were here. Da would know what to do. Da always knew what to do.

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