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.'Oh hello Mr Maudsley.'He looked up at the middle-aged woman.When his face registered no recognition she said, 'It's Edith's daughter - Rosemary?'She tapped the name tag on her tunic, 'Rosemary Davis - you used to look after my mum.Before you started lecturing full-time.I'm sorry,' she checked herself, 'it's Professor Maudsley now, isn't it?'Finally the information connected in Eric's head.'Oh don't worry about that.Sorry, I didn't recognise you straight away, it's just that I haven't seen you working here before.''I only started a few days ago.My other supermarket closed down and they were looking for staff here.''I see,' said Eric.'And Edith - how is she nowadays?'He could instantly see that it was a struggle to maintain her smile.'Not so bad, I suppose.She's still in that council flat.The same one you used to visit her in.Five Pilkington Court?''Yes, I remember,' replied Eric.'I'm trying to get her a full-time place in a nursing home - but it's just so hard finding her a bed, even with her angina getting worse and worse.Her doctor had to increase her medication again only the other day.The health visitor calls in once or twice a week - often to put her on a nutrition drip.It's very difficult getting her to eat anything.And I see her whenever I can.But it's hard finding time, you know, with the kids to look after and working as well.’‘How is her mobility nowadays?' he asked, removing his reusable shopping bag from his pocket.She stopped passing bar codes across the red beam.'Oh, she's been in a wheelchair for some time now.She can just about get out of it and into her bed.And the toilet - they've put special bars in so she can still go on her own.But after having a fall a few months ago and spending the night on the living room floor, she prefers to sleep in the chair with a blanket.Not that the health visitor approves.'Eric could picture it only too clearly.The loss of motivation.Personal hygiene slipping.Small accidents in the night and a faint smell permeating the flat.Suddenly, the woman's shoulders sagged and the breath left her with a sad sigh.He kept his eyes on the woman as she glanced behind him to check no other customer was in earshot.Obviously needing to confide in someone, she said, 'To tell you the truth, it's really getting to me.Last week she announced that she'd had enough, said that.you know.that.' she glanced around once more and whispered, '.that she wanted to die.' Her eyes filled with tears.'I mean, if she were a pet dog no vet would agree to keep her going.I sometimes think that, if she was up to it, I'd fly her over to that place in Switzerland, the one where you can just drink that barbiturate stuff and go to sleep.forever.'With a jerky movement she wiped the tears from her eyes, 'I'm sorry.I should never have unburdened myself on you like that.It's just that I haven't got anyone to talk to.' She shrugged her shoulders and looked up at him in embarrassment.‘Not at all,' said Eric.'Are there no other family members who could help? Don't you have a brother?''Andrew? He immigrated to New Zealand a few years ago.Edith's never really been able to take it in.She still points to his photos and asks when he'll visit.She was so proud when he graduated.I haven't the heart to tell her he lives on the other side of the world.'‘I can see why,' murmured Eric.'Have you tried Saint Cuthbert's? They always seem very accommodating, especially if she is having trouble moving about.'‘Haven't you heard? The council are closing it down.Can't afford to run it.'Eric hadn't heard, but it hardly surprised him.'Anyway, don't let me keep you,' she continued.'I'm sure you're busy enough as it is.' She pressed a button on the till, 'Thirty pounds, eleven please.'Eric handed her the cash and, as he placed the last item in his bag, said, 'Well, I hope she finds somewhere soon.And pass on my regards when you see her.''Thanks, I will.In fact I'm popping round in a couple of hours once I'm finished here,' she replied, waiting for the till to finish spitting out his receipt.She handed the bit of paper over and he said goodbye, heading for the basement car park.But instead of going home, Eric drove to a more run-down part of the city.He parked on the main road outside a row of fast-food takeaway places, got out and locked the vehicle.Shoes silently connecting with the pavement, he then glided down a side street choked with parked cars.The front doors of the terraced houses opened directly on to the pavement, no room for a front garden or even railings.As he strode quietly along he concentrated on the sounds seeping through the houses' front windows.A football match was obviously on; he could follow the muffled commentary from one front room to the next.In the windows with thinner curtains the flickering glow shone through clearly.The end of the road opened on to a T-junction, terraces stretching away on both sides
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