Hot Money

I was on duty, the night Len Parker was admitted.    Elderly and frail, he had been the victim of a hit and run accident.

My first impression of the old man, was as it turned out, totally wrong.    I had him pegged as some kind of vagrant and not worth bothering with much.   I would usually clean them up, give them a few good meals and send them on their way with some new clothes from the Sally Army. I would be kind professional but not very involved.

I remained on the old man’s ward and as his health improved, so my impression of him altered.

He was quietly spoken but obviously educated and well travelled.

During the quiet night hours on the ward, I spent a great deal of time with him.

Although extremely weak, he told me stories of his youth that kept me completely enthralled.

Len had run away from home at the age of thirteen to escape a bullying Step-father. He had lied about his age and joined the Army. He served all through World War One and won several medals for gallantry.

During the years after the war, he learned to wheel and deal and would do anything to keep ‘body and soul together’, as he put it.

Not wanting to miss out, he became a Home Guard during the Second World War.

‘After that War , my life really changed’. The old man lay back in his bed as he talked. “Anyone could make money if they really wanted to, it might not have been honest but it was very easy and I became a very wealthy man. Trouble is, money that easy to make, is much easier to spend” A crafty smile crossed his lined face. “I spent and spent on women, wine and song but I did put a tidy sum back for my old age”

I saw that Len was tired, so I patted his hand, made him comfortable, turned off his light and went off duty.

He died that night in his sleep and when I came on duty the next evening, his bed was occupied by another patient and it was as if old Len had never existed.

I felt very sad and I knew I would really miss our nigh-time chats.

To my surprise, Len had left me a letter. The note inside said simply ”Thank you for your kindness. I enjoyed our chats more than you will ever know.   I have been very lonely for years as I have no family and I want you as my last friend to have my money.   Use the enclosed key to get into the house and look under the loose floorboard in the front bedroom.   You will find £50,000 please enjoy it.    It was signed simply Len and gave his address.   Sad at the old man’s death but elated by the prospect of all that money, I headed for Len’s house.   The top of his street ,was blocked by fire engines and police cars.   A small crowd stood around watching the blazing house.

“Which house is on fire?”. I asked one of the onlookers.” Oh that’s number sixteen - Loony Lenny’s house.    Strange really, the rumour was that he had a fortune hidden in the house somewhere, now we will never know”

I turned away sadly. No, now I would never know.

Jane Manning

home | help | contact | e-mail