CHAPTER ELEVEN
For all his wanting to escape, Athos did not leave the grounds. There were plenty of places to sit quietly. Apart from the grounds, he had taken a liking to sitting in the corner of the conservatory with a coffee and his book.
Dr Kramer had called by to get a sandwich and had briefly sat with him, quietly enjoying the view.
"I never tire of it," he said, contentedly. "Even as a boy, I loved it here. The view never changes, especially on this side of the building. That consistency is what I like in the uncertainty of our lives."
"I never thought of it like that," Athos agreed. "I can see the merit."
"I'm glad," Kramer replied. "We need to hold our heads up. We miss so much by looking down," he added. "I was in New York a few years ago, at a conference. "I spent the whole time looking up at the buildings. The architecture in that city does not stop at the lower levels of those skyscrapers. Hundreds of feet high and still they added beautiful embellishments. I must have looked quite odd. Very few looked up. They were all in too much of a hurry."
"Like a tourist," Athos hummed, a smile in his voice.
"Quite!" Kramer laughed. "Very much so. But I was so glad to get back," he added quietly.
"I understand your father bought it?" Athos replied. "Treville told us when he was selling the place to us as an established facility," he added with a small smile.
"Did he succeed?" Kramer chuckled.
"No, but when he threatened us with disciplinary action if we did not comply, it changed the matter somewhat."
"Is it so bad?" Kramer said, quietly, waving his hand toward the view.
"It could be worse," Athos smiled, and Kramer nodded, recognising the statement as the compliment it was intended to be. "Where did you go to school?" Athos asked.
"Geneva, not too far to travel, and then university in Berlin. I returned when I had my qualification and had some clinical experience under my belt. I have been here ever since. After my father died, I was able to make some alterations of my own. The entrance portico, for one."
Athos noticed that Kramer did not ask him anything in turn. When he was off duty Athos saw that he chatted to clients but only on a superficial, though sincere level, leaving all other communication to be engaged in within the four walls and picture window of his office.
"There are a lot of windows here," Athos said. "Do you have the best office in the building?"
Kramer pursed his lips and removed his glasses, giving them an absent-minded rub with the edge of the tablecloth. Athos watched him in amusement.
"I suppose I do," the doctor said, replacing his glasses. "A privilege of rank, and because it was my father's office before me. And yes, he knocked a few walls down to replace with windows," he added, rising and patting Athos on the shoulder, in an almost fatherly manner, although he was not much older.
"See you tomorrow," he smiled, picking up his cup and saucer and returning it to the counter before shaking hands with a few people and disappearing.
"No doubt," Athos smiled, returning to his book.
/
That evening, Aramis and Athos sat on a bench in the grounds, looking up at the night sky. The Milky Way was resplendently draped across the heavens in green and purple, like a beautiful silk shawl, punctuated by a myriad of scattered, bright stars.
"It's breath-taking, isn't it," Aramis breathed, crossing his feet at the ankles.
"Magnificent," Athos had to agree. "It makes one feel somewhat insignificant."
"True," Aramis smiled, before leaning in conspiratorially, "So, the decorators come tomorrow, that first week went fairly quickly."
"Hmm," Athos sighed, fiddling with the bandage on his hand, lighter now but still necessary.
"How is it?" Aramis said, taking hold of his hand and gently turning it over.
"It's fine," Athos murmured, gently taking his hand back, and tucking it under his arm.
Aramis did not challenge him. He knew when to hold his peace. If Athos wanted his help, he wouldn't ask for it but eventually, he would concede to an 'Aramis intervention,' if past experience still held. It was a term Athos had used before. Porthos had adopted it too, so it seems Aramis was accepted as the team medic.
He cast a glance at Athos's profile. His friend was still staring up at the sky. He followed his gaze.
"Are you still thinking about the old lady?" he asked, quietly.
"A little," Athos murmured. after a few moments. "She left this morning. Driven away in a vintage Daimler. I didn't know whether to say something to her."
Aramis was quiet for a moment, still looking up at the sky.
"It may have spoiled the moment you both had …" he offered, turning to glance at Athos.
"I suppose so," Athos agreed, looking back. "I cannot decide whether she told me to make the most of my time because she had not, or because she had."
"Who knows, my friend? We all make our own sense of advice given to us by others, based on our own experiences. What works for some may not work for others. One can either accept the advice or reject it."
Athos hummed. "I think I may take it," Athos smiled. "And yours," he added.
"I think she would be pleased she made an impression on you. She may have done you some good, depending on how you use her advice.
"You know," Aramis continued, "This place is quite spiritual. Yesterday, I met two ladies, a mother and daughter. The ones in the hot tub. The daughter has been having treatment for two years in Geneva. She just got the all clear so they came here for a few days to relax and celebrate. She wanted to tell Dr Kramer. Apparently he has been helping her. They went home this morning too. They both looked radiant."
"What?" he said, seeing Athos's surprised, somewhat appalled expression.
"Nothing," Athos managed.
"Your lady ... my two ladies," Aramis continued, softly, "We are honoured to meet such people. Dinner?"
"Yes," Athos said, looking from Aramis up to the sky one last time. "Yes."
As they walked side by side back to the Restaurant, Athos wondered miserably how he had become so churlish, so untrusting. Far from being frivolous, Aramis had merely been celebrating the women's joy and relief.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, my friend," Aramis ventured as they sat down and waited to be served. "Are you alright?"
"I need a drink," Athos said. And for once, he felt as if, rather than going through the motions, he actually wanted to see Henriq Kramer in the morning.
/
Thanks for reading!
Well, I do hope they are prepared …