excerpt
‘Janet Patterson.’
‘Harry Gordon’s daughter. That’s right. Her mother used to be the postmistress in Corrymore. I couldn’t place her.’
‘We come to Carraghlin every Wednesday evening. The men stay at home, mind the house, and take care of the children.’
‘That sounds like a good arrangement. And you haven’t had any more trouble?’
‘No.’
‘Nora, would you keep in touch with me?’
‘But of course, Dr Hamilton?’
‘Do you ever come to Belfast?’
‘Occasionally.’
‘Alone?’
‘Not usually. Why?’
‘I’d like to give you an examination. Not a physical. More a list of questions. That is, if you wouldn’t mind.’
‘Well, I don’t know.’ Nora was confused. She looked awkwardly at her empty glass and then back at Clifford’s handsome face. ‘It hardly seems necessary now. I’ve been untroubled for so long. I seem to have shaken off the worst of it.’
‘But you’re still on medication?’
‘Yes, that’s true.’ Nora looked so vexed that Clifford wished he had not reminded her. She would always be dependent on drugs, and for a woman of Nora’s otherwise self-reliant nature that was hard to accept.
‘Nora, epilepsy is one of my chief research interests at present,’ Clifford explained. ‘There are questions I’d like to ask you. Certain tests I’d like to do. There is so much we still need to know about epilepsy. Perhaps you could help us learn just a little bit more.’
‘Well, I don’t know if I qualify as an epileptic anymore.’ She looked at her glass again with eyes turned wistful. ‘But if you think I can help in your work, yes, I’ll come and see you.’
‘Good girl, Nora. Here’s my card. Just telephone or write and let me know when you’d be able to come.’
‘All right, I will.’ She carefully placed the card in a small pocket in her handbag.
‘I also came across to ask you and Janet to join us at our table.’
‘That’s nice of you, Dr Hamilton. Janet won’t be long.’
‘How’s Liam these days?’
Libros Libertad 