The Lady in the Van Page #8

She would come into the garden, yes,

but only as a favour to me.

That's it.

Have you put on the handbrake?

I am about to do so.

Whereupon she applies

the handbrake with such determination

that, like Excalibur,

it can never afterwards be released.

Are you all right?

Now she is on the premises,

I sometimes get a glimpse

of Miss Shepherd praying,

and it is seldom a tranquil

or a meditative process.

I hunger and thirst for fulfillment...

The fervour of her intercessions

rocking her to and fro.

In possible light received.

What is it

she's wanting forgiveness for?

I used to pray myself

when I was young, but never like this.

I'd never done anything,

but what has she done?

Who's the old bat?

Oh. She's a friend.

A friend?

Well, someone I know.

Weird.

Yeah, maybe.

Actually, I think I better be off.

You don't want to stay

for coffee or anything?

No.

Bye.

Mr Bennett?

That young man,

did he have an earring?

He did.

You want to be careful.

She'll be wanting to move in next.

Said my mother,

who's been in London on a state visit.

Why didn't you tell me

she was in the drive?

I forgot.

I got a whiff of her

when I first came. Whew.

Right nasty bad dishcloth smell.

Well, she's in the garden.

Next, it'll be the house.

What will folks think?

This is London. Nobody thinks anything.

It's with her being a

nun, not having got off.

They get thwarted.

An educated woman, and living like that.

Mind you, you're going down the same road.

Me?

No cloth on the table.

No holder for the toilet roll.

Given time, I could have

this place spotless.

You've got a home.

You won't want to live here.

On.

Where does she go to the lav?

It has something to do with plastic bags.

What sort of plastic bags?

Stout ones, I hope.

- You've not met her. Do you want to?

- Oh. No.

No. With her being educated

I wouldn't know what to say.

Oh.

- Oh. Give us a kiss!

- Oh.

- When will you be coming up next?

- Soon.

The thing is.

I keep seeing a car in the car park.

That's slightly to be expected, isn't it?

At night. Watching.

You taking your tablets?

When I remember. Hmm.

She should be in a home.

- Where does she go to the lav?

- I told you.

Looked after.

A place where they'd wash her

and make her presentable.

I'm surprised they let

her roam the streets.

It's like a fairy

story, a parable...

Good morning.

In which the guilty

is gulled into devising a sentence

for someone innocent...

Hello.

Only to find it is their own doom

they have pronounced...

King's Cross, please.

Because my mother

is much closer to being put in a home...

- Got your purse?

- Yes.

.-.Than Miss Shepherd.

I do miss your dad.

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