‘This is your last chance,’ he said. ‘I’ve had many last chances,’ I said. ‘I always find there are more.’ They left. Cynthia’s heels were hard on the porch steps. The car started with a sound like controlled anger, and then they were gone, and the Saturday quiet came back to Carver Street. I sat very still for a moment, then I called James.
They mentioned competency, I said. a pause. I heard something similar might be coming. James said, ‘I’ve already spoken with Dr. Anita Patel, your GP at Riverside. She’s prepared to provide a comprehensive cognitive assessment on short notice. Her professional opinion will carry significant weight.
‘ Another pause. Margaret, they’re frightened. Frightened people reach for the largest weapons they can find. It doesn’t mean those weapons will work. I know, I said, and I did know. But my hands were shaking slightly as I hung up the phone, and I let them shake because there was no audience and no reason to pretend otherwise.