“Any way of tracking this Alexis down?”
“I can chat with the other girls. Not sure how far I’ll get but I’ll see what I can do.”
“You got my number?”
“Etched on my brain.”
“Thanks, darling. I owe you one.”
“Two.”
“Eh?”
“There’s last time, remember?”
“The Stravely case. How could I forget?”
###
Chapter 34: Daniel and his Wife
“How many times? I don’t know where it came from.”
“No one we know has ginger hair and yet, Daniel Samuel Goldstein, I find a ginger hair on your suit jacket. How do you explain it then?”
Daniel hated it when she called him by his full name and she only did so when she was angry. “I don’t know, darling.” His mind was sprinting. “Ah, we have a new post girl. She’s got ginger hair. She’s seventeen and very plain. It must be her.”
“Seventeen and plain. She’s the right age. Maybe you like a plain Jane now, Daniel.”
“Her name’s Alex,” he said then winced.
“I don’t care what she’s called. If it’s hers, how did it get there?”
“She delivers the post.”
“She delivers the post to your PA, not you.”
“Then I got it from my PA.”
“Gail’s a brunette, like me.”
“No, I mean…”
“I know what you mean, Daniel, but I’m not buying it.”
“Someone at the restaurant at lunchtime, then. I don’t know.”
“You’ve never been a good liar.”
Daniel shrugged as his mobile phone rang. “I’ve got to take this,” he mouthed and walked off.
###
Chapter 35: Tania and Rick
Tania tapped the number into the screen. The dialling tone echoed in her ear.
“Speak.”
“Rick, it’s Tania.”
“Hi. Got anything for me?”
“One of the girls says she met Alexis a few times.”
“Yeah. Where?”
“Always here at the Cheshire. In the bar, in between joh… clients.”
“What did she say?”
“This girl was quite quiet. Loud-looking but quiet.”
“Loud-looking? What the fuck does that mean?”
“Confident. But didn’t say much.”
“Right. And how does that help me?”
“She let slip.”
“Christ, Tania. What did she say?”
“That she lived near Milton Keynes.”
“Milton Keynes? Sure?”
“Yeah. Not the city but a village outside apparently.”
“It’s not a city.”
“What?”
“Milton Keynes. It’s not a city. It’s a borough.”
“A borough? Don’t you mean a town?”
“No, a borough.”
“Borough, as in borough council.”
“Kind of.”
“You’re smarter than…”
Rick growled. “Tania. Alexis?”
“That’s all I know. Some village south of Milton Keynes.”
“South of. You didn’t say that before. Would you know the name if I said it to you?”
“I don’t think she knew.”
“OK, hon. Thanks. You free next week?”
“Sure.”
Dropping his mobile on to the desk, Rick clicked on his internet’s ‘favourites’ menu and selected ‘private bank records’. His work allowed him access to almost any kind of information, almost up to the doors of the Houses of Parliament. He’d tried to cross the threshold of Downing Street during one search but their security code had been too tough a nut for even him to crack. Bank records on the other hand were a doddle. He typed in ‘Alexis Starr’ and a reel of details appeared before his eyes. He smiled as he found the record he was looking for. His Alexis Starr was registered as holding a joint bank account with a girl called Jessica Price. He jotted down the address on a scrap of paper and put it in his jeans pocket.
###
Chapter 36: Beth and Nate
A usual weekend for the Morrisons consisted of housework by Beth and relaxation and TV by Nate but since the announcement of the baby, roles had been reversed. He’d gone out early to the corner shop, brought her breakfast in bed and while she was in the bathroom, was doing the previous night’s washing up.
As she switched off the shower, Beth heard a noise from downstairs. “He’s hoovering?” she said to herself then opened the bathroom door, shouting down the stairs. “What have you done with my husband?” No reply. She walked through, naked, to the main bedroom and took her robe from the back of the door. Halfway down the stairs, the hoovering stopped.
As she walked into the kitchen, she laughed. The table was laid out with fresh cups of tea and a single orange gerbera in a glass vase she’d bought for their third wedding anniversary. Nate was reading the local newspaper which was sprawled on the work surface.
“What have you done with my husband?”
“Good morning, again. How are you both feeling today?”
“We are well, thank you for asking. Anything interesting?”
“The usual doom and gloom. I think everyone should have a baby, cheer themselves up.”
“Not everyone can afford to, including us.”
“Oh, hush. We’ll be fine. They were quite positive at the job centre yesterday. Green shoots and all that.”
Beth looked at her husband and smiled. Yes, she thought, green shoots are appearing everywhere.
###
Chapter 37: Marion and the Wake
Monday morning and Marion was rushing around the kitchen baking. Almost every inch of the worktops was covered in Tupperware-boxed cakes, sandwiches wrapped in cling film and matching white cups and saucers.
“You’re going to a lot of effort.”
“I want to. Jess liked a party.”
“The extra chairs are all set out in the lounge. What do you want me to do next?”
“Can you get the serviettes out of the drawer under the glasses cabinet. Oh, and get some glasses out while you’re there. A couple of dozen should be enough but I’ve got some spare plastic beakers. I think most people will want something warm; tea or coffee but just in case. Do you think they’ll expect wine? I’m not sure I’ve got any?”
“I think they’ll be happy with whatever you give them.”
“I don’t feel prepared.”
Simon put an arm round his mother’s left shoulder. “You can feed an army in ten seconds flat. The freezer’s always full. If in doubt, you can always shove something in the microwave. I don’t suppose people will be too hungry anyway.”
“It’ll be lunchtime but you’re probably right. We always have food left over. We did with your fa…”
Simon smiled. “Keeping your mind off things though, isn’t it?”
Marion nodded. “Have you put out enough chairs next door?”
“Yes, Mum. And I’ll get the glasses ready.”
“Thanks. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I’m here for as long as you need me.” The doorbell rang. “I’ll go.”
Marion’s sister and brother-in-law stood on the doorstep. The snow had stopped and was turning to mush as the rain tried to wash it away.
Simon mustered a smile. “Hi, Auntie Helen, Uncle Graham.”
Graham nodded. Helen stepped into the hallway and gave Simon a hug. “I’m so sorry, Simon. How’s your mum?”
“Oh, you know. Keeping busy, making lots of food; what she’s good at.”
“I’ll see if I can give her a hand with anything.”
“Hi, Simon,” Graham said, offering his hand.
“Hi, Uncle Graham.” His uncle looked so soulful that Simon hugged him instead.
“And how are you?” Graham asked as Simon released him.
“You know. Doing the same as Mum; keeping my
self occupied. There’s so much to do.”
“If I can help in any way… I should have said earlier.”
“Oh, I think it’s OK. It’s just sorting Jess’ house out, making sure I’ve let everyone know, tying up all the loose ends. That sort of thing.”
“I remember when my mum died. I know it’s different, she was so much older, but there was her house and…”
“Sure.”
“What have the police said?”
“That it was an accident. Black ice, mother nature, no one else to blame.”
Graham gripped Simon’s arm and smiled briefly.
“I’ve got to set out some glasses in the lounge.”
“Let me help,” Graham said, following his nephew into the kitchen.
The two women were deep in conversation when the men walked in so they collected as many glasses from a side overhead cupboard as they could carry and took them into the lounge. Simon walked in, imagining the room full of people all talking about his sister, nodding sympathetically, saying what a tragic waste of life, and so on.
It still all seemed so remote. There was only he and his mum left. In the space of two years he’d lost his father and sister; half the family. Although his mum wasn’t old, she’d already retired and using her bus pass to him indicated the start of a new chapter in her life. Of course to Marion it had been a time to look forward to; more freedom and independence, but if she could swap those for her husband and daughter, she’d do it in a flash.
“Simon?”
“Sorry.”
“Do you want the glasses dotted around the room?”
“Yes please. Anywhere you see flat space.”
“Do you have coasters?”
“In the kitchen drawer underneath the middle cupboard.”
“OK.” Graham placed the glasses together on a clear side table and went back to the kitchen, going over to Marion. “I’m so sorry, Marion.”
“Thanks, Graham.”
“I know this is a stupid question but how are you?”
“Going through the motions but once today is over…”
“I know. Once normality sets back in, it’ll hit you but then you’ll have time to grieve properly. You have to be strong today for everyone else.”
Marion nodded and returned to her sister who was sitting at the kitchen table staring at an embroidered bee.
Graham took the packet of laminated blue and gold-striped coasters out of the drawer and returned to the lounge. Simon had placed the glasses so that wherever anyone was standing or sitting they were likely to reach one. Graham went around the room lifting up each glass placing a coaster underneath it.
Simon stared out the window. “It’s snowing again.”
“I know. It’s not been this bad for years.”
“Do you think it’ll prevent anyone coming today? It won’t stop the service, will it?”
“I shouldn’t think so. People will set off early. Have you got anyone coming from any distance?”
“London, I think, is about the farthest.”
“That should be fine.”
“The train driver wanted to come.”
“What?”
“I spoke to him last week. He asked if he could come.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I don’t know but he asked. It wasn’t his fault, he tried to stop. There was nothing he could have done.”
“I’m sure there wasn’t but do you think it’ll do him any good, or your mum, for him to be here?”
“I don’t know. But what could I say? He was the last person to see Jessica alive.”
“OK,” Graham murmured. “Right, what needs doing next?”
“Not sure. Think Mum’s done everything else. The vacuuming… she’s cooked every recipe under the sun.”
Graham smiled. They all knew Marion would want everyone to be well fed and watered. “It’s good she’s keeping busy.”
The men returned to the kitchen where Marion was icing a cake and Helen was piling plates on to the kitchen table.
“Is there anything we can do?” Graham asked.
“Marion?” Helen looked at her sister.
Marion shook her head, deep in concentration. “I think we’re there. I’ll do the hot food when we get back from the crematorium.”
Graham looked at the mountains of food piled on to serving plates lined up along the work surfaces. “There’s more? How many people are you expecting?”
“About a hundred,” Marion said, piping edging onto the cake.
“A hundred?” Simon stepped forward. “We know that many people?”
“There’s the neighbours, Jessica’s friends and work colleagues, other family and… people who want to show their respects.”
“And they’re all coming back here?”
“I think so.”
“Oh, Mum. You should have said immediate family and friends only. They’d have understood.”
“But I like having people here. I want it to be crowded, to feel that Jessica was so loved.”
“You know she was loved. We loved her.”
“I know, but we need people to eat all this food.”
Simon frowned but if it made his mum happy. “OK. Are you sure there’s nothing else to be done? We’ve got half an hour before we have to go.”
###
Chapter 38: The Funeral
The crematorium car park was packed when Simon drove in.
“God. Who are all these people?”
“I told you: friends, family, well-wishers.”
Camera flashbulbs bounced off the car windows as they parked up.
“Are the press still interested?” Marion released her seatbelt.
“Have you had any trouble with them?” Graham asked.
“No, not really. They were at Mum’s for a while but then they lost interest. Once they realised that it was an accident, they moved on to something more newsworthy. I’m not sure what they expect to get here.”
The family got out the car and acknowledged the cameras surrounding them. Once past, the photographers, with just the prospect of back shots, chatted amongst themselves then disbanded, leaving the other mourners to file into the church.
As Simon walked down the central aisle, he recognised the two police officers from the week before. Had it only been a week? In a way it had gone quickly but so much had happened that it also seemed like an eternity. There were still so many questions to be answered but there was time. Let this day be over then he could piece everything together.
Sergeant Lewis and DS Taylor both nodded when Simon walked past their row. He led his mother, aunt and uncle to the front row and Simon slotted in beside them then looked around the congregation. There were so many faces he didn’t recognise. There were some family and friends near the front that he knew but the people in the middle and rear rows were strangers. He wondered how many were there out of morbid curiosity.
“Simon.”
“Yes, Mum.”
“Do you know everyone here?”
“Er, no. Do you?”
“No. I wasn’t far off with guessing a hundred, was I?”
“How did you know?”
“A feeling.”
“But you don’t want everyone back at the house, do you?”
“Why not?”
“Because the majority aren’t here because they knew Jess, they want a piece of the event.”
“Really? It’ll be nice to be surrounded by people.”
“Even if for the wrong reasons.”
“They made the effort, didn’t they?”
“I suppose so but…”
“They’re here now. The food’s done, it should be eaten and everyone have a good time.”
“A good time?”
“She wouldn’t want it any other way, and besides...”
The music stopped and the pastor stepped forward. The service was beautifully moving and tributes were paid by those who knew her. Simon went first and celebrated his
sister’s life rather than mourned their loss. Marion didn’t speak but mouthed occasional comments as Jessica’s friends and colleagues took their turns.
As the assembly left the chapel, the car park was empty. No hangers on or press, no noise other than the occasional bird or squirrel scurrying around in the snow.
Marion and Simon stood at the chapel entrance as people filed out, clasping or shaking hands as they went. Murmurings of sympathy and offers of food were exchanged and people filed to their cars. Some left immediately but most respectfully waited until Simon, Marion, Helen and Graham pulled out before making a procession like a slow, sombre conga.
As Simon drove Graham’s saloon car down the slope to the cemetery entrance, he noticed a line of cars driving in, he presumed for the next ceremony and sighed as he thought of the conveyor belt of mourners paying respect to their deceased. He supposed that it was particularly busy at this time of year; the post-Christmas flu season. Looking at the cars snake up the long drive, he sighed.
“You all right?” his uncle asked from the front passenger seat.
“Yes, fine, just thinking about things.”
“The cars coming in as we’re driving out, like a shift change.”
Simon sighed again and turned left.
Simon drove onto the driveway and the other cars filled both sides of the road. He collected people’s coats and hats as they entered the house and made a stockpile of garments in Marion’s study. Conversations took shape while Marion and Helen made final touches to the food. Graham was on drink duty and soon everyone had both hands full with glasses and plates and were deep in discussion.
“You must be Andy.”
“Simon?”
“Thanks for coming. I know it can’t have been easy.”
“Of course. Some people may think it’s strange but I wanted to.”
“We’re very grateful. Jessica’s mum and I.”
“You’re both holding up well. I know if it were my sister, not that I have one…”
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
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