They look at each other some more and Frank is the first one to break “So how is she?”

“Eh? Oh, you know.”

“Can I come in?”

Bim does not like to be rude but he isn’t quick to answer. “Yeah, I suppose.”
Frank walks in.

“I’ll get some water for those, says Bim.

In the kitchen Bim fills a vase with water. Frank is standing behind him. “They’re nice flowers. You shouldn’t ave.”

“Ain’t nothing.”

Bim turns around and looks at Frank. Frank is nervous. Bim points to the flowers, “Can I have them?”

Frank hands the flowers over to Bim who puts them in the vase.

“They looks lovely,” says Frank. “Yeah,” replies Bim. “Can I sees where ya going ta put em?” asks Frank. Bim looks at the floor, “Sure,” he says.

28

Bim places the vase on Agnes’ bedside table. Agnes is awake. Her eyes are red. Frank stands at the foot of her bed. “This is Frank, Mum. He lives next door. This is my Mum, Frank. Her name is Agnes.” They all look at each other. “She can’t talk, adds Bim”

Frank smiles at Agnes.

“I do most of the talking,” continues Bim.

Frank points to the flowers “I picked em out back of mine. I likes the garden. Ya feeling alright Agnes?”

Bim answers for her “she’s fine.”

“Ya thinks?”

“Best as can be spected.”

“That right?” Frank is not sure.

Bim re-assures him, “Yeah tis.”

Frank smiles at Agnes, “Weather was a right ripper this morn, right near tear the place apart. Cleared a portion now, wouldn’t have stood a chance pickin them flowers otherwise.”

Bim keeps a watchful eye over Frank.

“Right, spose I’d better be off,”says Frank.

“Frank?”

“Yes, Bim.”

“Could you keep the noise down?”

Frank looks at him.

“Ya play ya music real loud.”

“Right.”

On the way out they both look upstairs.

“No-one live up there?”

“Na,” answers Bim, “it’s a dead space. No use ta either of us.”

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