Of Lakes, Mysteries and the Odd Lunatic

Chapter VII: In which wood rot is discussed and an inconvenient visitor appears

Chapter VII

In which there is an in depth discussion on wood rot and an inconvenient visitor appears

The carpenters arrived later that after noon. The team of five was tasked with replacing some of the flooring in the crafts room, which was located on the ground floor. It was used, with supervision, by those patients who wished to have some form of artistic expression, both for personal enjoyment but also for some residents a form of treatment and recovery.

A form of rot had developed in a large portion the wooden floor of the crafts room, and the boards had to be replaced. The tables were either pushed to areas of the floor where the rot had not pervaded or removed from the room completely and put into temporary storage.

“How long will this take, exactly?” Lawrence asked what looked to be the lead carpenter, who was at the moment bent down inspecting a floorboard. He stood up and thought for a moment.

“About four or five days. It depends on exactly how far the rot has spread. Of course, with a house this old, and the weather conditions, as well as being close to a lake, the chances of a board taking on rot is relative to--”

“I think we shall be able to manage if that’s how long it’s going to take. Thank-you, sir.” Lawrence made a quick getaway before the carpenter could drive him as potty as his patients. And that reminded him; he had his rounds to do.

Mason visited Lawrence in his study.

“There is someone here to visit you, sir.”

“Are they scheduled? I’m quite occupied at the moment.”

“He is not scheduled, sir, but he is quite red.”

Lawrence frowned. “Red?”

“Yes, sir. In the face.”

“Well, I better see him before he explodes.”

“Oh, he’s not angry, sir. Well, he might be now. He was just drowning. I’ve given him a towel.”

“Right, then. I’ll be right out.” Lawrence finished off the sentence he was writing, took his jacket off the chair and walked briskly out the door.

The man’s face had lessened in intensity by the time Lawrence reached him. He had a white towel around his shoulders and he was shivering in the ‘brisk’ morning air. he was soaked from balding head to shiny shoe.

“Oh, you must be freezing. Please, please, come inside.” The man allowed Lawrence to lead him into the lobby. There seemed to be a trend in wet people in the Institute’s lobby over the past couple of days.

Lawrence asked Mason for a cup tea for the man and sat him down in one of the hard lobby chairs. Lawrence liked to keep them hard as it discouraged people from loitering.

“I am dreadfully sorry about your current state, but could please explain how it occurred?”

The man took a sip from his steaming cup of tea. “I tripped over a blasted rake in your front drive and fell into the fountain, that’s what happened!”

“Well, I’m dreadfully sorry about that--”

“And there weren’t even any sides on the fountain, it was all slippery dirt and I couldn’t get out! Your butler here had to help me out.”

“You see, we’re having some work done, an the fountain was just being redone as the edges were to sharp for health and safety standards, and--”

The man was beginning to redden once more, and his voice began to rise in volume. “It’s a blasted accident risk, that pool! You should have fencing round, at least, and some danger signs and tape so some other poor blighter doesn’t fall in and almost drown himself.”

“I can ensure you that will be dealt with at the soonest possible time. Now, I am rather short for time myself, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would communicate the nature of your visit, Mr...?”

“Johnson. Basil Johnson. I’ve come to visit my sister, I believe she resides somewhere in this wretched place.” Lawrence pulled back a bit at the man’s description of the Institute, but decided to let it pass, lest he angered him even more.

“And your sister’s name is?”

“Grace Johnson.” The woman’s name was instantly recognisable to Lawrence as she had been a patient for many years now. Looking at the man before him, he could see now the resemblance between him and his sister.

“She’s on the second floor. Please follow me.”

Grace Johnson could be heard before she could be seen. The flowing lyrics of the song she was singing sounded underneath her door, as well as through the walls.

“The hills are aliiive, with the sound of muuuusic!” Lawrence knocked on her door. “Liesel? Is that you? You can come in!”

Lawrence opened the door. “No, Grace. It’s me, Lawrence.” Grace was dressed in a black dress with a white front, and looked like she was ready to dust something. She frowned.

“Lawrence? I don’t know any Lawrences. Anyway, my names Maria, not Grace. Doh, a deer, a female deer/Ray, a drop of golden suuun!”

“Is she still potty about that film?” Basil said rather rudely.

Lawrence glared at him. “Don’t say that, you fool! We’re trying to cure her, not antagonise her! Do you have nay idea how fragile some of the people round here can be?” Lawrence had other business to attend to, and he did not have the time to take rude and inconsiderate visitors to see their sick relatives.

“Tea, I drink with jam and breeeaaaad!”

“Grace! Sister! Could I talk to you please?” Basil waved his hand in front of Grace’s face. The woman stopped singing and smiled.

“My name is Maria, please. What is it about?”

Basil took a sheaf of paper from a manila folder he was carrying.  “It’s just a little agreement about our father’s property. Nothing major. All you need to do is sign here...”

Lawrence slapped the paper out of Basil’s hand. “I will not allow you to take advantage of Miss Grace in this way. Out with you! You are disturbing the Institute, and you bring nothing but bad works. Out!”

Basil finished picking up his papers, gave Lawrence a dirty look and walked swiftly from the room, banging the door shut as he did so. There was a shout from down the hall asking for the noise to stop, and the patient in the next room began wailing.

“Well, he wasn’t a very nice person, was he?” Grace looked a little shocked. But her frown soon mellowed. “Well, Mr Lawrence, I’ll be seeing you presently. High on a hill was a lonely goat-herd/Yodel-hey yodel-hey yo-he-hoo!”

“See you later, Miss Grace.” Lawrence made sure he closed the door quietly and moved on to the next room to console the man, an old war victim, who was still howling in terror.