Casting her gaze around, she noted that everything was immaculate. Kylie had more than lived up to expectations. She had very nearly beaten Mrs Bee at her own game, Kate decided. She was going to have to rely on the girl quite considerably until her own movement was back to something approaching normality, and it was reassuring to know that Kylie knew what she was about. Mrs Bee would be delighted too – Kate was intensely aware of how much importance the housekeeper placed on everything running smoothly. Well, she’d be returning to a spotless house.
And she’d be bringing Amelia with her. If Kate could have hugged herself without sending jolts of pain across her ribcage, she would have done. Her own little daughter would be here soon, this very afternoon if all went to plan, after such an agonizingly long separation. Perhaps Kylie could help with the necessary camouflaging makeup, Kate thought. She had dared to Skype Amelia yesterday so that the child wouldn’t be startled by her mother’s appearance, having carefully applied plenty of foundation first, and the conversation had gone well. Amelia had wanted to know what hurt and where, but hadn’t exclaimed in horror, and so Kate was confident that with appropriate precautions their physical reunion could be a success.
Kylie returned with the promised coffee, the very aroma of which made Kate gasp aloud. ‘You’re a genius,’ she asserted after the first sip. ‘Never mind the painkillers – this is the stuff to make me better.’
Kylie beamed in delight at the appreciation, and then set about making her patient as comfortable as possible.
Amber crouched low in the bushes, her eyes riveted on the house some distance away. She was not sure how close she could reasonably go without detection. She had seen the ambulance arrive, Alex – gorgeous as ever – and the paramedics get out, and the stretcher being lifted inside. From this distance it hadn’t been easy to track where everyone had gone next, but she’d seen figures passing the windows and she could make a pretty good guess which room Kate had been taken to.
Annoyingly, Alex hadn’t then left as he was meant to. She had put in a call to the main office of Price Partners, disguising her voice, claiming there’d been a break-in at Chillex and that there might be a connection to the drugs gang who’d wreaked such damage before. If anything was guaranteed to make Alex swing into action, that was it. Yet he’d failed to emerge. What was wrong with him? He’d got the damned woman home – now he ought to be refocusing on his business interests, as he infallibly did. Surely it would only be a matter of time.
Amber’s legs were growing stiff and she flexed her muscles as unobtrusively as she could. It occurred to her that the red sun hat was too bright to blend with the greenery, and she slipped it off and shoved it in her back pocket. She mustn’t let her impatience overtake her and do something foolish. All she had to do was wait, painful though that might be. She was confident she’d evaded any detection on her way here, changing transport often, keeping an eye out for any suspicious fellow passengers, while never taking off her glasses. She’d walked the last stretch, thinking that this would be the best way of approaching unnoticed. All would be well, if she could only hold her nerve for just a little longer.
The sun was already beginning to beat down hard on the good people of Merseyside, despite its being only mid-morning, and Watkins was regretting bringing her light jacket. The text had come about an hour ago: suspect seen leaving a house just off Ullet Road, and making for one of the bus stops close by. The nearest plain-clothes officer had hurried to the stop and got on the bus when it arrived, sitting behind the target, who was easy to spot thanks to the jaunty red hat. Watkins had got on the next bus heading the same way, and the chase was on.
Amber had clearly read all the right thrillers to pick up the techniques to avoid being followed. She’d changed buses, got on a train, even doubled back on herself, before walking the final part of the journey – when it had become obvious, if there had ever been any doubt, what she was doing. She was heading for Alex’s house, the house to which Kate had just been discharged from hospital.
DS Marcom had endeavoured to warn Alex, but his mobile went straight to voicemail and the landline rang out unanswered. He had therefore advised his team that the suspect was approaching the house and nobody inside was aware of the danger. The team would have to proceed extremely carefully, and the instructions were to apprehend Amber Simpson before she could cause any further damage – ideally, before she made contact with any of the inhabitants of the house at all.
Watkins now found herself going along the very same road that Amber must have walked down not long before, wondering where the suspect had disappeared to. She glanced around for any sign of the red hat, but there was none. The best thing to do was to get as close to the house as possible and then tuck herself away as unobtrusively as she could. Her boss would decide if the occupants needed to be warned in person, but her job was to stop Amber getting in before such a warning was needed.
She was growing hotter by the minute. She stopped beside a wall of pale grey stone and rested her small backpack on it while she slipped off her jacket. So much for the mature-student look – she was roasting, and she’d be no use to anyone if she was on the verge of heatstroke. She reached into her backpack for her bottle of water, took a long swig, and felt better. If she rolled her jacket up very tightly it would just about fit in. She jammed her phone into her jeans pocket, minimizing her chances of its dropping out if she had to run. Then she selected a shady spot towards the end of the wall where she could remain hidden from anyone coming along the road but still retain a clear view of the house’s front door.
Fifteen minutes of complete inactivity later, she was bored and beginning to wonder if this was all a waste of time – if Amber hadn’t thought better of it and gone away again. Then a movement towards the back of the house caught her eye. A tall man strode out – that must be the famous Alex Price. He was being followed by no fewer than six dogs, all lively and competing for his attention. They all seemed to know where they were going, and for such big dogs they appeared very well behaved. Watkins sighed. She loved dogs and as soon as she got her promotion she had promised herself to get a ground-floor flat where she could have one herself – probably not an Alsatian or a husky, it would have to be something smaller, but a canine companion nonetheless.
She was jolted out of her dream of future pet ownership by another movement, from some bushes over to her left. A figure – small, blonde-haired, dark glasses – was dashing towards the door at the back, keeping low, most likely out of the view of anyone inside the house. Watkins didn’t need to think twice. She set off in hot pursuit.
I still can’t quite believe that I’m really home, after all that time in hospital. I realize some of the doctors were reluctant to discharge me, fearing it was too soon, but they were totally wrong. I am in the best possible place, with my darling Alex to guard me, and Kylie showing all the signs of being a more than competent nurse, as well as a stellar housekeeper. Everything is ready for Amelia’s arrival this afternoon. Julia has texted to say their train is on time and that they’ll take a taxi from Lime Street. All I have to do for now is lie here and rest.
Alex is wisely taking the dogs out while all is calm. His mission is to exhaust them completely. That way, they’ll be less inclined to interfere when everyone gets here, and I can’t have them jumping up and frightening Amelia. She’s not used to big dogs, let alone six of them. I know they will all get along famously once they’ve had time to get acquainted, but until then caution must prevail. I’m hardly in a position to physically restrain them.
That pleasurable duty must fall to Alex, as I can’t have Kylie attempting to do it. She’s too small and now visibly pregnant. No harm must come to her on my watch. Anyway, it won’t be long before the Bees are back in harness, which will make Castor and Pollux very happy indeed. I swear they love nothing more than to torment Brian, bless him.
That must be Kylie now, running up the stairs more quickly as she hasn’t got a cup of delicious coffee in her hand. How
clever of her to have perfected that most desirable ability before I got home: the first taste of decent coffee perked me up no end. Truly she is to be commended, and I shall tell Monica of her eldest’s new talent the moment I see her – which I trust will be soon. I wonder what progress she’s overseen in the past couple of days, and if the final tiling has been completed to her satisfaction? Maybe she is already in a better frame of mind, more able to hear good of her firstborn daughter.
Except it isn’t Kylie who bursts in. It’s Amber.
For a moment I don’t know what to say. The first thing that comes into my head is how different she looks from the self-possessed, extremely cool manager of Chillex whom I am accustomed to seeing at Price Partners meetings. The young woman before me might, to those unfamiliar with her, appear normal, but I know better. She’s let herself go – the old Amber was immaculately turned out. This one is untidy round the edges, her top unironed, her shoes scuffed. More alarmingly, her eyes are wild. And, if I’m not mistaken, she’s put on weight. That will make her furious – more furious than ever, I should say. This is a woman who has held a slow-burning, deep-felt grudge for as long as I’ve known her.
And as such I have to calm her down, talk her out of whatever she has planned. For whatever it is, I doubt it bodes well for me.
‘Hello, Amber,’ I say as evenly as I can manage. ‘How have you been? Do sit down, make yourself comfortable now you’re here.’
She does not seem to hear me. Instead she reaches forward and swipes away my packet of painkillers, which Kylie left within reach. Fortunately I have just taken two.
My gaze rests on my phone, also within reach on the small table next to the bed. Could I possibly use it somehow? But Amber sees where I am looking and grabs that too, dropping it to the floor behind her. I hope she hasn’t damaged it. That would be exceedingly inconvenient.
‘Would you care for a drink of some kind?’ I ask politely. ‘Something cool, maybe? It’s a hot day.’ Or at least it looks as if it is outside. It’s perfectly regulated in here by the air conditioning.
She looks at me as if I am insane, which is a little rich. Finally she speaks. ‘There’s only one thing I’m interested in here and it isn’t a drink.’
Very well, at least I tried to be hospitable. Nobody shall say otherwise. ‘Are you referring to Alex?’ I enquire.
At the mention of his name her face contorts. ‘I know he isn’t here at the moment. So don’t bother shouting to him for help. By the time he gets back it will be too late.’
So she intends to do something swiftly, then. I must play for time.
‘Why don’t you tell me all about it,’ I offer. All the same, I can’t have her here when Amelia and the others arrive. I can’t have her anywhere near my daughter. The very idea is insupportable. And I intend to stay alive to see my little girl – I haven’t endured all these months of separation to be denied by a crazy homicidal health centre manager. Ex-health centre manager. Who no longer looks very healthy.
She steps closer. ‘What good would that do?’ she hisses. ‘I can see what you’re playing at. It won’t work. Talking won’t get you anywhere.’ She leans forward and shakes my shoulder a little, which of course sends a ripple of agony through me. Despite my best intentions, I cry out.
She steps back and nods. ‘Thought so. They’ve let you out too early, haven’t they? You’re still in pain. Good.’ Oh, my God, she really is mad. Perhaps talking to her isn’t doing any good.
She wanders to the window and idly strokes the curtains. ‘Nice,’ she concedes. Yes, she’s right about that at any rate. Alex chose well, back in those dark days before he knew me, and I have not seen fit to change them. I don’t think telling her that would improve things right at this moment. She reaches in her bag and draws out a lighter, which glints gold in the sunshine.
‘I didn’t realize you smoked, Amber,’ I say as casually as I can.
‘I don’t.’ She glares straight at me, flicking the little gold lighter, causing a warm orange flame to burst from it. ‘I’d never smoke. It’s bad for you.’ She glances back at the elegant cream curtain. ‘Fire retardant, are they?’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ I say truthfully.
She nods as if she expected no other reply. ‘It won’t matter,’ she says. ‘They’ll go up eventually, like everything else in this room. A terrible accident, and you only just out of hospital. What a tragedy. Alex will be heartbroken.’
I gasp. ‘You wouldn’t want that,’ I say quickly.
She laughs. ‘But he won’t be for long. How very lucky that I’ll be free too. Your friend Giles has done a runner, did you know? But you didn’t want him, did you. Turns out neither do I. I have someone better in my sights.’ She waves the lighter ever closer to the fabric, enjoying this game of torment. ‘I’ll be right there ready and waiting when Alex needs consolation.’
I say nothing, devastatingly aware that I cannot move. I’m trapped here with a madwoman.
Amber turns her gaze out of the window. ‘Such a nice day,’ she says conversationally. ‘Ideal for walking the dogs. He’ll be gone for a long time, I should think.’
Yes, he probably will. It’s no mean feat to exhaust our pack. He’ll imagine that I am asleep and, being exceptionally considerate, will stay away to give me some peace. Exactly what I don’t need right now.
‘Well, he’s due back at any time,’ I lie, but she isn’t taken in.
‘Then I’d better get on with it,’ is her answer, and she holds the little lighter under the heavy jacquard tie-back. She flicks it and the dry material begins to darken. She holds the flame in position until it catches and then she withdraws her hand, slowly, as if she’s impervious to the heat it must be throwing forth. She watches its progress, mesmerized, as the foul singeing smell permeates the room.
I cough, which is agony to my injured ribs.
There is a movement at the door which Amber has left ajar – a short figure, blonde-haired, blue top. Kylie, in her pretend nurse’s outfit, which she thought was such fun. She mustn’t come in here: the smoke will hurt her baby. I can’t have that on my conscience, not when she’s been so good to me. Despite myself I let out a sob.
The smoke is billowing more thickly now. ‘Get out, Kylie!’ I shout. ‘Raise the alarm! Don’t breathe in, whatever you do! Save yourself and save your baby!’
Amber laughs uncontrollably. She doesn’t know about Kylie, evidently. ‘Appealing for help to your imaginary friends?’ she taunts, moving backwards towards the door. ‘So sorry to have to say goodbye now, Kate. But it’s time I was leaving.’
The figure outside, now made blurry by the wafts of smoke, doesn’t obey me but steps into the room. When she speaks her voice is not at all like Kylie’s heavily Scouse-inflected tone.
‘Amber Simpson,’ she says, and I realize this is a total stranger. ‘You’re under arrest.’
The next couple of hours were a blur. It was not until Kate was safely installed in a guest room at the opposite end of the house that the details came out: how DC Watkins had followed Amber into the house, alerting her colleagues, who were more than capable of restraining their quarry, now out of control with anger when she understood that her plan had come spectacularly unravelled.
One particularly quick-thinking detective had torn the blazing curtain from its pole and thrust it into the adjacent en suite, turning the shower head on it. By a miracle nothing else had caught alight, although there would be smoke damage to the whole room. But the main effects of the fire had been contained by the detective’s swift action, and although the fire service had turned up they had found they had little to do.
‘You’re safe, my darling, and nothing else matters.’ Alex smoothed Kate’s hair as she leant against him, still shocked by the turn of events but determined not to let them spoil the arrival of her daughter. Thank God the party had decided to stay overnight in London and had not come back yesterday evening straight off the Eurostar – they too would have been in danger from Amber’s
murderous antics. ‘I’m never leaving you unguarded again,’ he continued.
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she protested. ‘There’s no danger now. Threat number two has been terminated.’
‘She nearly terminated you.’ Alex’s voice caught on his emotion. To think that he had nearly caused the very outcome that everything was planned to avoid, by taking the dogs out when there was nobody else watching the house.
‘But she didn’t,’ Kate pointed out. She rubbed her eyes. ‘No, don’t worry, I’m not crying, it’s just the effect of the smoke.’ She pouted. ‘I’ll need my eye gel, and you won’t know where to look for it. I’ll ask Kylie later. At least it proved the doctors were wrong – I managed to hobble a little, and even to sit in the shower with a bit of help. So now I’m fresh as a daisy.’
‘True.’ Alex nodded.
‘Anyway,’ she went on, ‘that bedroom was in need of an overhaul. Who uses fabric tie-backs any more? It can be Monica’s next project, if she’s amenable to the idea.’
‘You can ask her yourself,’ he said, shuffling a little on the edge of the king-size bed. ‘Kylie rang her and she’s coming over. So’s Pete. They want to see for themselves that you really are all right, and that Kylie is as well. Oh, and to check the house is in one piece. So they might as well meet Amelia once they’re here.’
‘Oh, absolutely. Amelia might as well meet everyone at once,’ said Kate, full of confidence that her little girl would be unbothered by a big crowd of people. Then a cough shook her and her composure cracked for a fraction of a second. Coughing was agony, though the doctors had warned her not to suppress it or she risked infection. They hadn’t bargained on her inhaling smoke almost as soon as she got home, though. Then she rallied again. There was nothing to be done; what had happened had happened. She refused to let it spoil the forthcoming reunion.
For the Love of Liverpool Page 32