The interrogation

Leonard and Leonora were skirting round each other. Whenever Mrs Leonard was around they attempted to be civil, although not usually with much success. Less so when Tata was around, which was silly because Tata always told Mrs Leonard what was going on when they talked about Womens' Things in the kitchen together.

Leonora was miserable. It was one thing staying as a welcome house guest for a couple of days and being able to go out and do fun things and everyone generally having a good time. It was quite another being a virtual - although well-treated - prisoner in someone else's home. And Leonard was being quite horrid to her. It was fun teasing each other for a short while, but Leonard wasn't smiling or joking at all. Leonora felt that he wished she was just not there.

Leonard was miserable too. Why was Leonora being so bad-tempered with him all the time? She had totally lost her sense of fun. Admittedly it wasn't much fun having a badly-sprained ankle but she hadn't smiled or laughed or teased for days.

She spent most of her time in her room reading, or sleeping, or just lying there. He knew she would rather be at home, but she didn't need to make it so obvious that she didn't like to be in the same room as him.

He decided to do something about it. There was only the two of them in the house.

Tata and Mrs Leonard had gone out to the beach to dig holes and run round in crazy circles. Obviously Mrs Leonard did neither of those things, she was far too sensible. But Tata had not given up hope that Leonora might at least run round in crazy circles with her when her leg was better, even if she didn't want to dig holes in the sand.

Leonard approached Leonora's room and rapped on the door.

Leonora was lying on the bed with an open book, but not reading it. She recognised Leonard's authoritative knock. Not that it would be anyone else as the other two had gone down to the beach. The two little crutches jumped smartly to attention. They had self-designated themselves as Leonora's protectors, or at the least, her supporters.

"Yeah," she said eventually, and Leonard went in. She finally looked up at him. Irritating man. He was right next to the bed and very much in her face.

"What do you want?" she said churlishly, wishing she had told him to go away.

Leonard felt like giving the woman a good shaking but reminded himself that he was meant to be there to improve the situation and not make it worse. He thought about being subtle, but he wasn't sure how to do it. It was hardly his style.

"Leonora, what's wrong? Why do you seem to be avoiding me?"

She was horrified. She hated difficult conversations. It was much easier to joke and tease. She looked at Leonard blankly.

"I know you would rather be at home but we are all very concerned about you, and feel terrible that you came to stay with us and ended up having an accident.

"But you are hardly speaking to me, and you go out of your way not to be in the same room as me. What have I done?"

Leonard was proud of himself. He thought that was exactly the right mix of honestly, empathy, a slight amount of humility, and oozing with thoughtfulness and consideration. He waited patiently for Leonora's response.

"What?" she said, totally puzzled. It was Leonard who was being horrid to her. What was he playing at now?

Leonard sighed, somewhat over-heavily.

"I know we don't always understand each other, or have the same views, but at least this chance to spend a longer period of time together gives us the opportunity to learn more about each other," he said. Why had he said that? He was getting totally carried away with his own rhetoric and felt slightly sick.

Leonora looked at him as though he was absolutely raving. She felt sick too. She didn't want to get to know Leonard any more than she already did. Silly idiot.

"It's easier to stay here than keep staggering around the house," she said. It was true. And meant she didn't have to get into any of that emotional stuff that Leonard strangely seemed intent on.

"But you could always lie on the sofa for most of the day," he suggested.

"Not when Tata is on there."

"There is more than one sofa. Even Tata can not lie on two sofas at once," said Leonard, his irritation returning.

Leonora felt cornered. What was wrong with Leonard? She was keeping out of the way and they weren't arguing. Well, they couldn't argue as they weren't speaking, apart from at meal times.

Leonard had a flash of inspiration.

"What did you do with those two letters that I wrote to you?"



Note from editor: two posts today as didn't post yesterdays due to unreasonable behaviour by Leonard