Page 18 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“Do you want me to take this back to the office? I’m heading there after this,” he said, waving his glass.
“Mike said to bring it in with me. Why are you heading back to work?”
“I like to work at night. I can concentrate more when the office is empty.”
“Don’t you get lonely?” I wasn’t sure where the questioncame from, but I got a sense that, like me, Sebastian was quite the loner.
“I like my own company,” he replied, confirming what I thought. “Although, you’re welcome to come with me. It’s interesting to walk around the office when it’s empty.”
“I can’t leave—”
“Would you, if you could?” he asked, cutting me off.
I stared at him for a moment. “Yes.”
He picked up his phone and made a call. He requested assistance for a few hours and gave my home address. I frowned.
“Sorted,” he said, simply.
“Whoa, hold on. I’m not letting just anyone in here. Grandma has dementia, that takes a special type of care.”
“Would a specialist in dementia care be appropriate?”
“Yes, but—”
“There are no ‘buts’. If you want to come with me, help is on the way. If you don’t, turn the help away when they get here.”
His stare was his challenge. I sipped the cold drink to cover my trembling lip.
“Blimey, this is nice,” I said, and took a larger sip. He laughed. “Far better than the cheap shit I’ve drunk before. I might get used to this.”
I turned the bottle to face me. I highly doubted I could afford it, but I wanted something to do before having to speak to him again.
I watched him watching me. I tried to be subtle about it, but his intensity was mesmerising.
“Do you always do that?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I wanted to ask if he knew what on earth I was talking about? I was sure I was babbling.
“Why?”
“When I want something, I want it.”
I wanted to ask what it was that he wanted, but I wasn’t sure how I’d respond to the answer.
“My time is precious, Ruby. I don’t like to wait around.”
He placed his glass on the table and stood. He held out his hand and I took it. He walked us to the front door, and I felt like I was in a trance. It was as we opened it I saw a male nurse in blue overalls walk up the path.
“Mr. Wolfe,” he said, holding out his hand. Sebastian shook it. He then pulled me forward to stand in front of him. “This is Ruby, granddaughter and primary carer.”
“Hi, Ruby. My name’s Tim,” he said, and then handed me a folder. “All my credentials. I work only with dementia patients both in hospital and in theirhomes. Mr. Wolfe has asked if I’ll sit with your grandma for a few hours this evening, if that’s okay with you?”
We were all standing in the doorway. I didn’t feel like I could go anywhere. I had Tim in front of me, smiling kindly, and Sebastian behind. I couldfeelhim, his heat, and I could hear him breathing, slow and steady.
“Erm, I’m not sure,” I replied, in all honesty.
