Chapter 6

The train kept good time and the sun shone so the journey was very pleasant, especially across the Pennines, where the deeper drifted snow had remained after most had melted. I arrived at Manchester and was met by Vivienne as arranged. I wondered if I would know her, but she was waving at me frantically so the problem did not arise. I took some time to get to the end of the platform using one stick (I was very proud of this) and pushing the trolley with my two huge suitcases perched on it, but there she was, almost hopping up and down with excitement.

She hugged me and I her. She took one case in one hand and my arm with the other while I pulled the other case on its wheels, and we made our way to the car park.

"I'm to take you to the flat first and get your seal of approval. I'm sure you'll like it. Then I rather hoped you'd come for dinner."

I was happy to agree. I was getting tired, and did not relish starting cooking from scratch in a new kitchen.

She was right, the flat David had rented for me was very comfortable and tastefully furnished. I suspected the choice had been a joint effort and they had excelled themselves. It was in Stretford, a short tram ride from Sale and a longer one to Altrincham. A lift to all floors. Two bedrooms.

The previous tenants had made the second bedroom into a study or office. It had a desk for a computer and a phone point. To do this they had had to move the double bed into the main bedroom, which already had one and so that room was rather crowded as a result, but I didn't care; I wasn't going to move the bed on my own with my aching bones.

The kitchen opened onto the living area and was small but well appointed. The bathroom was roomy and had a power shower. The living room window looked over well-kept gardens and being on the second floor had a good view of the main road and its heavy traffic without it being near enough to disturb me.

The shopping centre was across the local road. It was not a beautiful complex but none of my windows overlooked it, for which I was grateful.

Viv made some tea, I noticed that they must have stocked the place for me, since there was milk available for the tea. The bed was also made up.

"I brought some sheets and a duvet cover over," she explained, "You've got to have something to sleep in."

"Viv, you and David, you're very good to me! How can I ever repay you?" I said, trying and failing to express the extent of my gratitude.

"As David always says," she said dismissively, "You do repay us; you pay David very well for the work he does, and you looked after him when he had some trouble a few years ago. You were always a good friend to us."

I didn't remember what I'd done, but I wasn't going to pursue it at that moment. I turned my attention to unpacking my case and having a shower. I exited the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel round my waist just as Viv came out of the living area.

"Allan ... Oh you're out. I was going to ... Good God!" She paled and stood stock still, gazing at my torso and ankles.

I would like to have thought she was impressed with my toned and sexy body, but her expression was not of admiration but horror. She could see my scars. They were impressive in a ghoulish sort of way, though they had become less vivid with the passing years.

"They don't hurt any more, Viv. I'm so used to Trish seeing them I quite forgot they might shock you. Sorry."

"I'm the one who's sorry, Allan. How could anyone be so vicious?"

"Easily, it seems," I replied with a smile. "I'll go and cover up. Hardly appropriate behaviour, exhibiting my scars to a married woman!"

It made her laugh and any awkwardness passed. She turned and went back to the living area where I joined her shortly afterwards, suitably dressed.

Dinner was perfect as always, but I had to pay. Vivienne returned to matchmaking mode and it occasioned a repetition of the arguments we had at our previous meeting.

She began innocuously. "So, Allan, what are your plans for the coming week? Going into work?"

"No, not this week; I need to settle into that excellent flat, buy some bedding for a start and David has a lot in store for me, I'm sure. On Saturday Trish comes for a long weekend."

Again there was that look of disappointment on Viv's face.

"Viv, I'm with Trish now," I told her patiently. "You have to get used to that. It's not exactly helpful of you look despondent every time I mention her."

She was suitably chastened and apologised.

"Viv can't help it Allan," said David. "She has memories that you haven't got yet, but while we're on it, have you had any more thoughts on the Ann question?"

"The only thing I'd like to know is why Ann didn't make more effort to try to find me. She had enough money to hire someone. Perhaps she had already decided to dump me for Derek."

"No chance, Allan," Vivienne asserted, "she loved you to bits."

"All the more worrying that she made no real effort to find me."

"Did it upset you as you were recovering not to have anyone look for you or visit you?" Vivienne asked.

"Well, no. I had no memory so I didn't miss anyone. It was more a puzzle for me at the time really."

"Well," said David, "as you know, we have a friend who might be able to help there. Keith."

"Keith?"

"Keith Cuthbertson. A Private Investigator."

"No. Don't know him. I live a strange life, David. Things come and go."

"Yes, you told me."

"Did I?"

A giggle escaped Vivienne's lips, followed instantly by a look of acute embarrassment on her face. I started laughing at her expression and in no time we were all sharing the laughter. I wrote Keith's name and occupation down when our laughter subsided.

"Friday evening, we go to the pub and meet Colin."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"Detective Chief Inspector Sinnott in the Greater Manchester Force?" He suggested.

"We met at the Police Station?" I ventured.

"That's right."

"I move in exalted society then?"

"Oh, yes. I asked him to keep in touch with the Northumbria Force about your attack."

Things are looking up, I thought.

"Allan?" Vivienne looked apprehensive at what she was about to say.

"Yes?" I smiled, mainly to put her at her ease.

"Is there any chance of you getting back with Ann? Any at all?" Her question was tentative: she knew where Ann was living, and with whom.

"Viv!" said David rather sharply. "I thought we'd agreed–"

"It's OK, David," I stopped him. "It's a question that's gong to be asked again and again. I have been thinking about it, Viv."

I smiled. "But that very thing shows the problem. You were a brand new person when we met. I know you now but only from that first evening. You remember our history. For me there is none.

"They say my memory will come back; it is already coming back in fits and starts. Sometimes I just know something but not consciously. I'll say something and wonder where it came from. I have flashes from my childhood, my mother for instance. As far as I'm concerned, I can't 'get back with Ann' because I've never been with her in the first place! See what I mean?"