Kaleidoscope (2 page)
As the woman spoke, Hellam looked around the hall while only half-listening to the drivel that was passing her lips. But not once did he allow his warm, humble smile to relinquish its position. He had learned how to act and
react
over the years, in spite of never truly experiencing certain emotions in his life. Not that he particularly desired to experience those things
–
he didn
’
t miss them. He meandered over this for a moment before suddenly becoming aware that Elizabeth Chalker
’
s speech was drawing to a close and he turned to face her.
"...I am pleased to introduce local businessman, entrepreneur and benefactor of our very grateful school. Please put your hands together for Mr Joseph Hellam."
The hall erupted in applause as Hellam slowly lifted himself from the chair, raising a single protesting hand to greet the welcome before walking over to the centre of the stage. The crowd slowly died down as he began to speak.
"Thank you, thank you all so much for such a warm welcome. I hadn't been expecting such a large audience, but I'm delighted to see you all here. I have a short speech to go through, but before I do, I'd like to just mention one thing." He paused as he looked out and smiled a smile that emanated sincerity and compassion but concealed much more. "I have been very lucky in my life and have had the opportunities to reward myself financially. It would not be proper if I didn't occasionally return some of that luck to the institutions and causes that provide such valuable services for this town which I love. That is why I have recently set up The Hellam Foundation, to reward these kind people. I have decided that
Surrington
School
for Disabled Children is going to be the first to receive a donation from my new foundation and I am proud to present to you with a gift of fifty-thousand pounds for the excellent service you provide for our community."
The room erupted once more and Hellam couldn't help but notice the unreserved gratitude which illuminated Elizabeth Chalker's face. As the applause continued, Hellam wondered how it could be that he felt almost nothing but contempt for her and everyone else in the room.
Hellam had been born into wealth thirty-nine years earlier and couldn't recall a single instance in his life when he had felt anything other than indifference or contempt towards another human being. The notion baffled but didn
’
t concern him; the truth was he didn
’
t particularly care why that should be. After all, these traits had allowed him to become the success he now was.
He looked at Ms Chalker with superficially warm eyes then glanced down to the speech in front of him. He raised a hand until the clapping died down and then began to read, smiling with apparent sincerity in all the correct places - the places he had learned.
Chapter 2
The sudden warmth that Lewis Foster felt as he stepped inside Maggie
’
s caf
é
made him glad he had chosen that particular meeting point. It was a cool day, but warm inside due to the fact that Maggie hated the cold. He walked past several customers who were sitting at the tightly packed tables, careful not to knock them with his bag, and over to the counter where a short, thin woman greeted him.
“
Morning, how are you today?
”
she asked, smiling.
“
Morning Maggie, I
’
m fine thanks. I
’
ll just have a coffee please,
”
Lewis replied, handing over the correct change. The smell of cooked bacon and hot coffee filled the air as tinny music from a radio in the corner bounced off the walls.
Lewis nodded as Maggie handed him the mug then went over to a free table by the window and gazed out. The streets were busy with people wrapped up in thick coats, scarves and gloves and going about their daily business.
He sipped his coffee and waited patiently for a while then opened his bag, pulled out a small card envelope and looked at the contents inside. A smile widened across his face as he looked at the plane ticket, reading the text printed on the front again and again. He placed the ticket on the table then pulled out a notepad and pen from his bag. He began to scribble furiously on the already filled pages. He became so absorbed that he didn't notice the young woman approach his table.
"Still making your lists I see."
Lewis was torn from his thoughts and looked up, startled. "Hannah! Sorry, I was just..." He shook his head and laughed, "I'm just excited, that's all."
He looked over to Maggie, pointed to the table and she began to make another cup of coffee. Hannah sat down opposite Lewis and smiled.
"What is it with you and lists?" she asked before thanking Maggie who placed the steaming mug of coffee on the table.
"I just like to plan things. Always be prepared," Lewis replied, putting the notepad away and smiling.
Hannah laughed. "You sound like a boy scout. You can't leave anything to chance can you?" She looked down and saw the plane ticket. "So, you're finally going on your big trip around the world?" she asked as Lewis placed the ticket back in its envelope.
"Yes, this has taken quite some planning, but I fly to
Paris
tomorrow and then to who knows where."
"Wow, you're actually being spontaneous? That's not the Lewis I know." She smiled and reached across to touch his hand. "You deserve it though; you've worked so hard these past six years. It's time for a break I suppose."
Lewis nodded and stared at his friend. He hadn't seen her for almost three months, but they always kept in touch by e-mail, Facebook and MSN, so they had as much information on each other's lives as the other felt like sharing. Lewis knew that he had spoken about almost nothing else during that time and didn't want to dwell on his trip, but then decided on one last comment.
"It isn't too late to come with me you know," he said.
Hannah shook her head and glanced down at her coffee. "No, I don't think so. I have my job..."
Lewis was almost ready to launch into his pre-prepared speech at that point. It was the reason he had arranged to meet Hannah in the first place; he was going to persuade her to take some time off from work. He knew it would be difficult, but not impossible and then they could see the world together. But just as he was about to speak, she added a word, which cut him off before he could begin.
"...and..." She paused, releasing his hand and turning the mug of coffee on the surface of the table.
"And?"
She stopped twisting the mug and took a sip before answering. "...and I've met someone."
Lewis felt his smile drop by a fraction, although he consciously fought to keep it in its original position.
"That's great!" he said with too much enthusiasm. "Who is he? Where did you meet?"
Hannah shook her head. "It's early days yet; we've only been on a few dates but... he's nice. He's the kind of guy who doesn't like to rush things though. It's just a casual thing at the moment. I don't want to say too much; I might ruin it." She took another sip of coffee.
"Okay, well keep me updated with how it's going. You can still reach me on Facebook while I'm away you know. Or I might even make an old fashioned phone call from time to time."
"You'd better," Hannah said with a mock-threatening stare.
They both chatted some more about news and friends as they finished their coffee and then ordered a sandwich each. The hours passed by without interruption as they shared stories and caught up on fresh news. Lewis occasionally allowed the thought of the new man in Hannah's life to surface, but quickly ignored it - he was leaving tomorrow and it was no concern of his if Hannah was seeing someone. He told himself to get over whatever he thought might happen between them; it was ridiculous to think it could ever actually occur.
They had been friends for as long as Lewis could remember. They had grown up living next door to one another. Their parents had often visited each others houses since they both had young children and sought out friends with the same. Occasionally Lewis's parents would baby-sit for Hannah
’
s and vice-versa, so the friendship which had developed during their early years was inevitable.
When Hannah was eleven-years-old, her younger brother, Ben had been hit by a car. He had been in a coma for three days before he passed away. The event had devastated Hannah and from that day she had become a little more introverted and reserved than she once had been. Lewis had noticed the change in his friend and felt a sadness that she had lost the sparkle that used to dwell inside her, just visible beneath the surface.
As they had grown older, Lewis observed the faintest hint of that spark slowly return - never to how it had been when she was a child - but it was there; a subtle shadow of its former brightness. Over the years their friendship had never waned. Of course, they had both had other groups of friends who they saw at school, but there always seemed to be some kind of special bond between the two of them - each one knowing that the other felt the same.
But Lewis knew the feeling had always been stronger on his part and realised that Hannah had no idea of how much he had grown to love her over the years. He had been with other girls and even had a long term relationship while at university, but none of them made him feel the way he felt when he was with her. He had come close to telling her a few times but had always shied away. They had even kissed once, a few years ago while Lewis was on the summer break from university, but Hannah had quickly laughed it off and Lewis felt inclined to do the same. They had their friendship and he didn't want to jeopardise that for anything. But he often thought about that day on the cliff and how they had spoken to each other; in a way that they never had before or since. Lewis held onto that day as the closest they had ever come to becoming something more.
While Lewis worked for a few years after college and then went to university to do an architecture degree, Hannah decided to go straight to university to study psychology. She then went on to do a year of work experience, after which she began working as a clinical psychologist, specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy. Now, both twenty-nine years old, they spoke on the internet or phone at least twice a week and although Lewis felt they had perhaps drifted a little further apart these past few years, he realised deep down that this was simply because he wished they could be closer.
After a few hours they paid for their food and then left the caf
é
, stepping back out onto the street.
"Wow, it's so cold today," Hannah said, zipping up her coat to the top. "So, when will you get back from your crazy adventure?"
"I'm planning on about three months I think. I should be pretty much broke by then."
"Well, don't forget to keep in touch."
"Of course not, I'll see you soon."
Hannah stepped forward and they hugged. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, wishing she would spontaneously change her mind and tell him she was going to take that time off work, dump her boyfriend and come with him after all.
"Good luck," she said as they parted, beaming the bright smile that Lewis loved so much, and began to walk away.
Lewis watched her disappear down the street then turned and began to walk in the opposite direction, completely unaware that it would be the last time he would see her alive.
***
Lewis arrived back in his flat and looked at the waiting suitcase on his bed. He needed to pack. He had been putting off the task for long enough and now felt the uncomfortable sensation of suspecting he would have to rush through it and forget something. He pulled out the notepad from his bag and glanced at the first list then sighed and went over to his wardrobe where he began to throw various assortments of clothing into the case. He was only taking the one, small suitcase with him since he wanted to travel relatively lightly.
He had worked for four years before going to university in order to fund his education. He had enjoyed his time, but the money had been depleted much more swiftly than he had anticipated, so Lewis decided to work part-time while at university.
He finished packing all the obvious items then went to the set of drawers by his bed and pulled them open one by one. He tossed the occasional semi-useful article into the case and then arrived at the bottom drawer. It contained odds and ends that didn't really belong anywhere else so he hadn't expected to find a great deal which he would be taking with him. He glanced in and was about to close it again when his eye fell upon something.
He reached in, past old mobile phone chargers and several photo albums, to a creased piece of shiny paper. He stared at it, guessing the photograph was around nine or ten years old. It showed Lewis out with a group of friends in a bar somewhere and he could vaguely remember the night out as taking place just before Hannah had left for university.
Hannah was standing in the centre, grinning at the camera with that same smile that Lewis had seen a thousand times before, and pictured in his mind a thousand more. She was surrounded by five friends, all gathered around her with their arms over each other's shoulders. Lewis was standing over to the right of the group, not staring at the camera. He was looking over at Hannah, a narrow smile on his face.
Lewis held the creased photo for a few moments and gazed at Hannah's delicate features. Finally, he folded it and placed it carefully inside his wallet.
