TALES OF HOLBY FOUR
Ben's eyes were kind but non-judgemental throughout the conversation.
"So what happened after the touring company left?"
Dylan looked ashamed.
"I would spend train fare to go to as many matinees of the company's performances as I could but was too shy – or ashamed – to go to the stage door again, at least to join the crowd there. I used to wait over the road – maybe sit in a bus shelter – just to watch her. One day, to my delight, the Rottweiller wasn't with her. I considered going over after all but it would have meant my sprinting across the road and making a complete idiot of myself. So I went to get a hot drink as I was really tired by then…
Dylan looked up in amazement.
"Tonia?"
"I thought that was you; you and your friend were kind enough to come to the stage door in Holby. You didn't come to the performance today?"
"Not this time. W-would you like a coffee?"
"I would, please."
Dylan gestured awkwardly at the seat next to him. When Tonia settled down, he went over to get her drink. Somehow he knew she would just be drinking coffee with a little milk and none of the speciality drinks so beloved by these kind of coffee shops.
"There you go."
"Thank you. I'll be in Holby again soon; my father lives there and I'll be visiting him."
She sipped her coffee. Then the miracle happened.
"I'd love to meet you again. Would you think me very forward if I asked you to come to dinner with us one night?"
Dylan's heart pounded. Common sense should have told him that this was frighteningly fast.
"Won't your parents mind?"
A shadow passed over Tonia's face.
"Just my father now. My mother… died."
"I'm sorry. What about your – er – doctor? Would he object?"
"Probably. Just between ourselves, Dylan, he frightens me. I keep trying to have the courage to end my treatment but…"
She sighed.
"I should tell Dad really; he can't stand Hanssen. But Hanssen's sly. He's like a snake…"
Tonia shuddered, and Dylan's arm was round her.
"Will you be safe walking back tonight? I could catch a later train."
"Thanks, but I'll be getting a lift from one of the company. I'll need to leave in a minute, but… could I take your telephone number?"
He smiled and gave her a card with the details.
"Well, take care, Dylan."
"And you. I – I look forward to hearing from you."
She kissed his cheek.
"You take care… and save yourself some train fare now you know we'll be meeting again" she teased gently.
Dylan being Dylan thought it was only moral that he confessed to David what had happened. David was thrilled by the whole thing.
"My colleague going out with Tonia Crespelle!"
"Not going out yet, cheeky beggar, and your boss, not your colleague!"
"Ah, it's still awesome."
Lionel Crespel turned out to be a quiet but polite man, very unlike a typical councillor. He had a housekeeper, Mrs Franck, who multi-tasked as cook, and who made a delicious meal for Dylan's visit. Dylan tried to do it justice but there was only one thing he really wanted to concentrate on.
At one time he nodded towards a photograph of a beautiful woman.
"Tonia's mother?" he asked gently.
Lionel nodded.
"Yes; she died far too young. I know to some people I might come across as over-protective of Toni, but… I remember what happened to her mother."
Tonia had sat quietly through this conversation, just listening, with the occasional look at Dylan to see how he took this. Dylan said nothing but looked as if he was waiting for more. Lionel sighed.
"Mireille had a tragic accident – at least the papers called it an accident but I call it murder. She was undergoing treatment for an irrational fear of open spaces – hypnotism, to be precise. The doctor was our friend Hanssen. He made Mireille believe that unseen voices were encouraging her on – benign voices, he said-"
Tears came into his eyes.
"Dad" Tonia whispered gently, "It's okay. Let's change the subject now."
Suddenly Mrs Franck came into the dining room, her face pale.
"I swear I locked the door…"
Hanssen walked into the room behind her.
"Tonia" he said chidingly, "A doctor? Really?"
Dylan had never hit anybody in his life, but went towards Hanssen, arm upraised.
"I could make things very unpleasant for Antonia if you try that."
Dylan's arm dropped.
"I just wanted to see if my instincts were true. Antonia, we've talked about your not having a relationship" Hanssen snapped.
"Get out!" Crespel shouted at him.
"This time" Hanssen conceded and left as silently as he had entered.
"You must think me a coward" Dylan told Ben.
"I don't. That kind of thing would terrify the bravest person. Please continue your story; we can discuss it when you reach the end."
They sat for a long time at the table, the food forgotten, the wine only there to help refresh their dry mouths. Dylan held Antonia protectively.
"Believe me, Doctor Keogh, I've researched all possible explanations. How he could just enter the house and leave it again while the doors are locked. How he managed to do what he did to Mireille… I need to tell you that before we go any further."
"You said she was afraid of open spaces and that his hypnotism killed that fear?"
"Yes. He encouraged her to listen to the voice and she did. The voices told her to go outside, to walk in the street. Mireille told me the voices led her on when she wanted to turn back. And one day she walked a little further on, from the street and into the road. I dared not shout to her; she was like a sleepwalker. When the car came speeding round the corner and hit her, I don't believe she felt a thing. But it killed her all the same. He killed her mother, and now he wants to destroy Antonia."