A Cold Cold Heart

by John Nicholl

  ‘What can you see when you look out?’

  Emily approached the lounge window, with the warm quilt wrapped around her shoulders, and peered out as the rain began to fall. ‘There’s fields on

  one side and the sea on the other.’

  ‘Okay, I’ve got a list of Kieran’s allocated addresses. It sounds like one of two.’

  ‘I think my hand’s broken. And my head, it’s covered in blood. He kept me in the dark. Everything’s hurting, and I haven’t eaten. I, err, I don’t know, I don’t know what to do. Please tell me what to do.’

  ‘Help’s on the way. We’ll be with you as soon as we can. Just hold on.’

  ‘It’s over, isn't it?’

  ‘Just hold on, Emily. I’m coming myself. I’ll be with you before you know it.’

  ‘Where’s my dad? Is he okay?’

  ‘He’s still in hospital, but he’s doing fine. I’ll ring and give him the good news. He’ll be doing cartwheels.’

  ‘He is going to get better, isn’t he? Please tell me he’s going to get better.’

  ‘Yes, he is. He’ll be home soon.’

  ‘And you’re going to ring him? You’re going to tell him I’m alive?’

  ‘Of course, straight away.’

  Emily dropped the radio to the floor without another word. She sat on the sofa and began rocking rhythmically in her seat, while humming an operatic aria quietly to herself, as she waited for the emergency services to arrive.

  56

  Grav was sitting at his daughter’s bedside when she woke the next morning in a private room at Aberystwyth’s Bronglais Hospital. She thought she was dreaming when she first opened her eyes and looked at him, but when he gently squeezed her hand, she knew she was free.

  ‘It’s good to have you back, love. You had me seriously worried for a while.’

  Emily reached out and hugged him tightly. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be in hospital?’

  ‘I discharged myself.’

  She released her grip and frowned. ‘Oh, Dad, what were you thinking?’

  ‘Seeing you safe and well is better medicine than anything the doctors could give me. I’m absolutely fine.’

  ‘Poor Kieran.’

  ‘Yeah, terrible. I’m going to call on his missus when I get back to Caerystwyth. They only recently had their first child.’

  ‘Rather you than me.’

  ‘I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.’

  ‘Charles is dead.’

  Grav nodded. ‘Now that’s one thing I’m not unhappy about. Did he…? Did he…? You know what I’m asking.’

  ‘No, he didn’t.’

  He blew the air from his mouth. ‘Oh, thank God.’

  ‘Did the police find the cushion?’

  ‘Cushion? Laura didn’t mention anything. Why do you ask?’

  ‘I held it over his face.’

  ‘Turner’s?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Grav’s expression hardened. ‘Are you telling me you killed him?’

  ‘I think so…maybe… I think he was still breathing. I had to know he couldn’t hurt me again.’

  Grav placed a hand on Emily’s shoulder and looked into her eyes as he had so many times before. ‘Now listen to what I’m saying, Emily, and listen carefully. Fuck Turner. The bastard’s ruined enough lives. He’s not going to ruin another one.’

  ‘Tell me what to do.’

  ‘Laura’s going to take a statement from you as soon as you feel up to it. As a witness, you understand, not a suspect. You won’t be subject to caution.’

  ‘What do I tell her?’

  ‘You tell her everything, right up to when you saw Kieran fighting for his life. He smothered Turner, in a desperate attempt to survive, before collapsing himself. You may have thrown the cushion aside at some point, but you can’t remember when or why. You weren’t thinking straight. And that’s it. You say no more. Sometimes our memories are our enemies, rather than our friends. Some things are best forgotten. We’re going to put this behind us and get on with our lives.’

  ‘Really, just like that?’

  Grav rose to his feet. ‘Right, time for a cup of tea. I may even have a fry up. Bacon, eggs, sausages, hash browns, beans, the lot. Do you fancy one? You could do with putting on a few pounds.’

  ‘What was it your GP said? Can you remind me?’

  ‘Porridge or muesli, but what the hell does she know?’

  Emily threw back the bedclothes, lifted herself upright, and sat on the edge of the bed with tears running down her face. ‘Hang on, I’m coming to the canteen with you. You’re going to keep me safe, and I’m going to keep you alive. That’s the deal. Your diet starts today.’

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  Acknowledgments

  A big thank you to everyone who's supported my books