30. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
T he new lodger proved to be quite a challenge for all involved. The following week, Harriet came running down the stairs to the kitchen in the morning. She was still in her nightgown and bathrobe and her hair, normally secured into a tidy bun, flowed freely to her waist.
Hilda looked at the clock on the wall. “You’re going to be late for school. Look at the time. Your breakfast is ready.”
“I can’t get into the bathroom! Mr. Forrester has been in it for the last half hour!” Harriet’s voice was high and loud.
Lenore took over. “Harriet, sit down and eat your breakfast, and I’ll go upstairs and make sure Mr. Forrester is all right.”
With a purposeful stride, Lenore headed up the staircase and when she arrived at the bathroom door, she listened for a moment, hoping that the old man hadn’t died or something awful like that. When no sound was evident, she rapped gently on the door.
“What?” came a loud voice from the other side of the door. The acoustics in the tiled bathroom made an echo.
“Are you all right, Mr. Forrester?”
“Of course I’m all right, why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve been in there a long time.”
“So what? I’m busy,” he shouted through the door.
“I understand that,” Lenore said gently, “But we have other people who need to use the bathroom.”
“They’ll just have to wait until I’m finished!”
“You’ve been in there for half an hour. It’s time to let someone else use it,” Lenore said.
“I said I’ll come out when I’m ready.”
Lenore’s temper flared. “Mr. Forrester, I will give you five minutes to vacate the bathroom. And if you’re not out, I will unlock this door and remove you myself!” For emphasis, she jingled the ring of keys she kept on her person.
In three minutes, there was a flush followed by the sound of running water, and then the door swung open abruptly, startling Lenore. Mr. Forrester buckled his belt as he emerged. He glowered at her as he passed. Harriet came up the stairs as the old man slammed the door to his bedroom.
Lenore stepped aside and announced, “It’s free, Harriet.”