HENRY MADISON ROSE early, showering and shaving quickly after his regular breakfast. The day was already overcast. He pulled on his clean white shirt, tweed jacket and fawn trousers. Moving slowly and stiffly, he cursed as he dropped his comb and was unable to bend to pick it up.
William was obviously tired; sleeping in like this was most unlike him but at least it gave Henry the opportunity to dress in peace.
His appointment at Mercy Hospital was for 10 a.m., and he had booked a cab from Jimmy Mulholland’s local service, which would pick him up and drop him directly there. Celeste was due any minute and had promised to sit with William till he returned. There was no telling how long he’d be as probably he’d have to have an X-ray or one of those scan things and some blood tests done. The pain had eased for months following his visit to Martha, but of late it had begun to come back, dominating his waking and sleeping hours. Last night had been particularly bad.
Checking himself in the mirror he decided he’d better go in and wake William, and have him up and dressed at least. Celeste would give him a bowl of Cheerios or Lucky Charms and a slice of toast when he was gone.
‘William! William! Come on, wake up,’ he called, stepping into the room and reaching to open the curtains. His brother’s huge frame was hunched up with the heavy comforter and sheet pulled almost up to his chin.
‘Come on, William, get up! You have to get washed and dressed, come on now!’
There was no response. His brother didn’t move, lying perfectly still.
‘William!’ he cajoled.
He was either fast asleep or being difficult, and Henry hoped it wasn’t the latter. ‘William!’ he said sharply. ‘Get up!’
Henry stood by the bedside and grabbed a hold of his shoulder, only then noticing how cold and stiff his brother lay. Apprehensively he reached forward to touch his face and realized at once that William was dead, a contented expression on his face. Just sleeping like when Henry had left him last night! There in the bed, he looked like the small boy he’d minded and cared for most of his life. Aware of the ringing of his doorbell, he went to open it and led Celeste to the bedroom where his brother lay. He heard her gasp, as she saw that William was gone. His friend and neighbour put her plump arms around him and told him that everything was going to be all right, everything was going to be fine: both were grateful in their own way for William’s ease of passing.