by Sally Rigby
‘Do you wish to adopt Lacey, Catherine?’ Valerie asked, looking at Birdie’s aunt.
‘We’re happy to be full-time foster carers for the long term, and would consider adopting Lacey if we believed it would be in her best interest. We certainly don’t wish to see her placed elsewhere as that would be most damaging to her development.’
‘Thank you for your input. Her adoption is not a decision to be made at the moment. Our aim today is to decide whether the child should see her father. What’s your opinion on this, Miranda?’
‘When I last saw Lacey, she was still reserved, but there was a definite improvement. She responded well to Mrs Cooper and was a lot more content. She didn’t avert her eyes every time I addressed her. Providing it is Mrs Cooper who does the asking, I believe that she’s mature enough to decide whether she wishes to see him. It must be stressed that there is no right or wrong answer and whatever she decides is absolutely fine. If she says yes, then I suggest a meeting is arranged sooner rather than later.’
‘Providing Lacey agrees, we could hold the meeting here, with you present, Catherine,’ Valerie said.
‘I’d also like Birdie to be with us as she knows the father and has a strong bond with Lacey. The child trusts her, implicitly,’ Catherine said.
‘I’m more than happy to do that,’ Birdie agreed.
‘If everyone else is okay with this decision, then I suggest Lacey is asked today and the meeting conducted tomorrow.’
Chapter 43
Lacey gripped Birdie’s hand on one side and Auntie Catherine’s on the other as they headed for the meeting with Patrick Casey. Birdie glanced at the stoic expression on the little girl’s face, and her heart went out to her. Would she have been so brave at that age?
When Lacey had been asked about her father, she’d closed her eyes and remained still for five minutes. Birdie and her aunt had sat there waiting. Eventually, Lacey had looked at them and said yes, she would like to see him. They’d reassured her that they would all meet him together, and she’d happily accepted it. She didn’t once ask about her mother.
That spoke volumes, as far as Birdie was concerned.
‘Are you sure you’re okay about this, because it’s not too late to change your mind if you want to,’ Auntie Catherine said to Lacey as they approached the social services building.
‘Yes, I’m sure,’ Lacey said.
Birdie admired the child for how well she was coping. She’d gone through so much, but at least now they knew her background, they could talk to her about it when she was older and help her to deal with it.
‘Remember, we’ll both be with you all the time, and you can talk to your dad if you wish, but don’t feel you have to say anything. He wants to make sure you’re doing okay and that you enjoy living with Auntie Catherine at her house,’ Birdie said.
‘I know.’ Lacey gave a shaky smile.
Birdie squeezed her hand. ‘He might still call you Emily. Do you want us to tell him it’s now Lacey?’
They’d spoken yesterday about changing her name back, but Lacey was adamant that she didn’t want to because she liked her new name. Birdie suspected it was more because she didn’t want to be reminded of what had happened in the past.
‘Yes, please.’
‘Consider it done.’ Birdie leant down and gave the little girl a hug. Lacey responded by hugging back and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Warmth flooded through Birdie. If anyone ever did anything to harm Lacey again, she’d make sure it was the last thing they ever did.
‘What about me? Can we have a group hug?’ Auntie Catherine asked, bending down to join them.
‘Yes,’ Lacey said, as they all put their arms around each other.
‘Okay, kid, this is it.’ Birdie flashed a smile in Lacey’s direction as they walked into the social services offices and made their way to the room they’d been allocated.
She opened the door and seated on one of the easy chairs was Patrick. Lacey tensed beside her, and she gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
They walked over to him, and as they got closer a broad smile crossed his face. It changed his whole appearance. There was no sign of the harsh aggressiveness that Birdie had witnessed in the past.
‘Hello, Lacey,’ he said, remaining seated.
He used her new name. Birdie nodded her respect.
‘Hello,’ she said tentatively, but keeping so close to Birdie that a sheet of paper couldn’t be slid between them.
‘Shall we sit down, Lacey?’ Birdie asked.
She nodded, and they went over to the green flecked sofa which was opposite the chair Patrick was seated in. Auntie Catherine sat on one side of Lacey and Birdie on the other.
‘You’re looking very well,’ Patrick said, his voice stilted.
‘Yes,’ Lacey whispered.
‘I’m Catherine Cooper, Lacey’s foster mother.’ She leant forward and held out her hand, which Patrick shook.
‘Thank you for taking such good care of her. Do you enjoy living with Mrs Cooper, Lacey?’
‘It’s Auntie Catherine,’ she replied.
‘Sorry. Do you enjoy living with Auntie Catherine?’
‘Yes. And Birdie.’
Patrick frowned. ‘Do you live with them, too?’
‘No, but I spend a lot of time there. We’re like cousins, aren’t we, Lacey? We both have an Auntie Catherine.’
‘You’re related?’
‘Yes. I was with Lacey when she saw you in Market Harborough the other week.’
‘I didn’t realise.’
She thought she’d mentioned it. But it didn’t matter.
‘I’m very fond of Lacey.’
‘What’s happening with her schooling, Mrs Cooper?’
‘Call me Catherine. I’m teaching Lacey myself at the moment, as I’m a qualified primary school teacher. We’re hoping that one day, Lacey might be ready to go to school with other children.’
‘Are you looking forward to that, Lacey?’
‘I think so. But not yet.’
‘There’s no rush. Whenever you’re ready,’ Auntie Catherine said.
‘I like your new name, it’s beautiful and suits you. Do you like it, too?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded and gave a shy smile.
‘Is there anything you’d like to ask me, Lacey?’
She glanced to one side at Birdie, and then the other at Auntie Catherine. Then she stood and walked over to where he was sitting.
‘I don’t want to go back with you. I want to stay with Auntie Catherine and Birdie.’
‘I agree. You’ve got a lovely home now and I can see how happy you are. I wouldn’t want to take you away.’
Lacey smiled and returned to where she’d been sitting.
Patrick looked over at Birdie. ‘I’ll be forever grateful to you for looking into what happened. If you hadn’t, I’d have worried forever, wondering how she was. I’m happy that everything’s going to be fine for her.’
They continued talking for a while until their hour was up.
‘Thank you for taking such good care of Lacey,’ Patrick said to Catherine. ‘I’d like a word with DC Bird, if I may.’
Catherine and Lacey left the room, closing the door behind them.
‘What is it?’ Birdie asked.
‘I don’t think I should see Lacey again. It’s best for her if she continues with her new life. She’s clearly thriving and being looked after. If she wants to know about us in the future, then tell her. But for now, I’ll step aside. I’m going to suggest that your aunt adopts Lacey if she’d like to. I don’t wish to shirk my financial responsibilities, though, so we can work out some financial support for her. I know that Tessa will agree.’
‘Are you still living with your sister?’
‘Someone’s got to look after her while she’s out on bail.’
‘It’s likely that she’ll do a stint in prison.’
‘Because she didn’t download the images for sexual purposes, her legal team
believe that she might be given probation. Although there’s also the perverting the course of justice charge. If she does, then I’ll wait for her.’
‘Now you’re likely to be exonerated, will you rejoin the priesthood?’
‘Too much water under the bridge for that, but I would like to work with young offenders. Having been in prison, I’ve witnessed first-hand how the experience can shape a person’s future.’
‘Good luck. I hope it turns out okay for you.’
Chapter 44
Birdie grabbed her jacket from her bed and headed downstairs to leave for her meeting with Seb. She still didn’t know what it was about. All he’d said on the phone was that now Lacey’s case was over, there was something he wanted to discuss with her.
It wasn’t like him to be so mysterious and she’d tried to drag it out of him, but he point-blank refused because it was best discussed face to face. Whatever it was.
‘Bye, Mum. I’ll be back later,’ she called, as she was on her way out.
‘Lucie, wait.’ Her mum was the only person allowed to call her that, as she refused to call her Birdie.
‘What is it? I need to get going or I’ll be late.’
‘Since when has that ever bothered you?’ her mum said as she came out of the kitchen into the hall.
‘Normally, not often, but I’m going to a meeting.’
‘Work?’
‘No, it’s with Seb, but I don’t know what it’s about.’
‘I’m worried about you.’
‘Why?’
‘You put your neck on the block to help Lacey, and I’m proud of you. But you have to consider yourself. If you want a career in the police, then you’ve got to follow the rules. Like the rest of us.’
‘I know, and it won’t happen again.’
‘Until the next time.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.’ She gave her mum a kiss on the cheek and headed out of the front door, anxious to get to the pub.
Seb had even suggested they talked over a meal. His shout. Again, most unlike him, as she was always the one to suggest eating and he invariably made some quip if he ended up paying.
Was Sarah coming back, and he was leaving town?
Knowing him, it was his way of telling her, because he still felt guilty about not contacting her straight away when he’d first arrived back.
They’d decided to meet at a pub in Lutterworth at seven o’clock, because he wanted somewhere they wouldn’t bump into anyone they knew.
She reached the pub at five minutes past seven and after parking, glanced around to see if he’d already arrived. Of course he had.
She headed inside and spotted him sitting at a table on the far side of the bar. On the table were two drinks, so she walked over assuming that one was for her.
‘Thanks for the drink.’
He glanced at his watch. ‘What’s going on? I wasn’t expecting you for at least another fifteen minutes, if not longer.’
‘You can be so hurtful. I made an extra special effort to get here on time because I was curious. Okay, I missed it by a few minutes, but seriously you can’t count that.’ She sat down opposite him, picked up her glass, and took a sip.
‘How’s work?’
‘Great, if you enjoy being chained to the desk with an impending investigation hanging over you.’
‘When do they expect it to be over?’
‘Don’t ask me. I’ll be the last to know, even if I am the one being investigated.’
‘It’s protocol, you know that.’
‘It doesn’t make it any easier. Anyway, cut the crap and tell me what this meeting is all about. Or should I guess? You’re leaving town, and this is our goodbye meal. Yes?’
‘No. Whatever gave you that idea?’
‘What else could it be now the case is over? I thought you’d be going back to London to give your company the best chance of succeeding. You’ll have clients falling over themselves to give you work.’
‘You make it sound so easy.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re having a crisis of confidence. If you are, that’s ridiculous. You have the connections, the skills and a crazy-memory. You’re like a triple threat.’
‘It’s not that, but thanks. Your praise is important to me as you don’t bullshit.’
‘You’re right about that.’ She grinned.
‘There’s something I wish to ask you. I don’t expect an answer straight away because it’s a big step. I’ve been thinking about this for some time.’
‘I wouldn’t expect anything else from you. Rash decision-making isn’t part of your make-up. Well, most of the time, it isn’t. I seem to recall you rather quickly moved into Sarah’s house.’
This was getting more bizarre by the minute.
‘I’ll ignore that insult.’
‘I’m not insulting you. I’m just … What is this proposition?’ Surely he wasn’t …
‘It’s not that sort of proposition, for goodness’ sake.’
‘How do you know that’s what I was thinking? Don’t tell me you’ve now added mind reading to your skill set.’
‘Call it an educated guess. I’m under no illusion that you think of me as nothing more than an older, stuck in the mud, man. But we are friends, aren’t we?’
‘Good friends. Tell me what this is about or the kitchen will be closed by the time you’ve finished, and we won’t have ordered our food.’
‘We can’t have that. I’ll get to the point.’
‘Hu-bloody-ray.’
‘Stop interrupting. I’ve been having thoughts about the future of Clifford Investigation Services.’
‘You can call it CIS, I know what you mean.’
‘When we were talking about the company, you mentioned you might join me?’
She jerked her head back. ‘You know I was joking, don’t you?’
‘Many a true word is spoken in jest.’
‘You don’t have to go all cliché on me now. Are you being serious?’
‘Never more so. We make an excellent team, even if we drive each other mad sometimes.’
‘And my timekeeping drives you to distraction.’
‘We can work on that.’
She hadn’t for one moment imagined he’d be asking her to work with him permanently.
‘Look, Seb. I’m flattered by your offer. Who wouldn’t be? But I love my job and I hadn’t planned on resigning. Even if I am destined to never leave the office again.’
‘Don’t dismiss it just yet. Think it through.’
‘Are you asking me to be an employee, or an equal partner?’
‘That would be entirely up to you.’
‘The only money I have is what I’ve saved for my house deposit. If I was to be a partner, then you’d need me to invest.’
‘Not necessarily. We could work out a payment plan, where you could invest from your share of the profits.’
Her mind was a whirr of thoughts. On the one hand, she’d enjoy working with Seb more. But Twiggy was her partner, too, and she’d hate never to work with him again.
‘You say you’re going to be selective about the cases you take, but what if there aren’t many? Would you consider taking mundane cases? That would make you one of those failed, wannabe coppers whose only skill is to follow adulterous men and women, to quote Sarge.’
‘He’s not a fan of private investigators, I take it?’
‘Is anyone on the force? You weren’t either, remember?’
‘Which is why I want to be selective about cases and work with you.’
Indecision flooded through her. An alien concept, as normally decisions were relatively clear-cut.
‘Would you change the name to Bird & Clifford Private Investigators?’
‘I was thinking more JIT Investigators,’ he said, a deadpan expression on his face.
‘JIT? I don’t get it. What does that stand for?’
‘Just in time.’
‘That’s pathetic. Leave the jokes to me.’
&
nbsp; ‘Will you think about it?’
‘When do you need to know by?’
‘Take as long as you like. Rob wants to employ me for the foreseeable future, and that’s the only case I have at the moment.’
‘Whatever my final decision, thanks for asking me. I appreciate your trust in my skills.’
‘That was never in doubt. Come on, let’s order.’ He passed her a menu to look at.
While she was deciding, her phone rang.
‘I better get this. Hello?’
‘Is that Lucinda Bird?’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘It’s Craig Davis. Marie’s son. We met the other day at my mother’s house.’
‘How is she?’
‘She’s doing very well. Thanks for asking. That’s why I’m calling. She asked if you would like to visit next weekend.’
Her heart thumped in her chest, she’d thought that avenue had been closed. ‘I’d love to. Where will she be?’
‘Back at home in Leicester. She didn’t want to leave, and so the family have paid for a live-in carer. It’s the best thing for her.’
‘That’s fantastic. I’m sure she’ll be happy in familiar surroundings. Would Sunday at three work for her?’
‘Perfect. I’ll let her know.’
She ended the call, unable to stop an enormous smile from spreading across her face.
‘Good news, I take it?’ Seb said.
‘Marie Davis is home from hospital and I’m going to see her next week.’
‘That’s excellent.’
‘Yes. Finally, I’m going to learn more about where I come from.’
Book 3 - Sebastian and Birdie return in Never Too Late when they join forces with DCI Whitney Walker, to investigate the brutal attack twenty years ago which left her brother with irreversible brain damage.
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