“Oh, poor Lydia. She’s just come home, and now she’ll have to face this!”
“I know. It’s not going to be pleasant, that’s for sure. Listen, love, I’ve got to go, I’ll call you later.”
***
Grace had already gone back to bed for her morning nap before Lydia came downstairs still dressed in her pyjamas.
“I’m sorry. I slept like a log for the first time in ages,” she said, shaking her head in amazement.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” I handed her a cup of coffee.
“Oh, you are wonderful.” She wrapped her hands around the cup and inhaled deeply. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the smell of real coffee. It’s one of the things I missed the most.”
I hated ruining her first morning home with the news that her husband was almost murdered while she slept. But my face obviously gave the game away.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, looking around. “Where’s Lee?”
“We got a call early this morning. Lee couldn’t sleep and decided to go to the cottage during the night.”
“Phew! I thought you were going to tell me something awful.” She laughed.
“I haven’t finished yet.”
She placed the cup down and pushed it away from her. “Oh, no. What’s happened?”
“He apparently disturbed an intruder and took a beating. The intruder ended up dead.”
She shot to her feet. “Lee killed him?”
“By all accounts it was either him or Lee. The guy had already killed a young woman before Lee got there.”
“My God. It gets worse. So there are two dead people in our cottage?”
I nodded. “But let’s face it, it could have been worse.”
“How?” She sneered.
“You both could have gone over last night instead of staying here. You might have been dragged into it too.”
Lydia shuddered. “Imagine that, being involved in a murder on the very day I’m released from prison.”
“Exactly.”
“It’s all my fault. I moaned at Lee right before we went to bed. I told him we had no choice but to go to the cottage right away. I’ll bet that’s the reason he went over there. Now what will we do?”
“You’re welcome to stay here for as long as it takes,” I said.
“Thanks, but that won’t work. You only just moved in yourself and, with all the will in the world, it won’t work with two extra house guests. And I need something to wear.”
“What are you saying?”
“That I need to grow a pair and go home.”
“Really?”
“Really. Do you know where there’s a key?” she asked.
I nodded. “Do you want me to come with you?”
She got to her feet and rinsed her cup under the tap. “What about Grace?”
“I’ll bring the monitor.”
“Then, yes. If you don’t mind, I would appreciate it.”
I tidied the kitchen while Lydia got ready, then I grabbed the baby monitor.
She appeared in the kitchen doorway still dressed in her pyjamas.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Lee?” I asked, following her out the door and down the path.
“No. I can’t face it with Lee. I can’t think of his feelings at the moment—this needs to be all about me.”
“I get you.”
“Aarrrgghhhh!”
The scream made me jump out of my skin. I spun my head around to see our crazy neighbour running towards us.
“Oh, no, you don’t, matey,” I said, getting in between him and Lydia. “She’s paid her debt. Now leave her alone!” James had warned me that most of the neighbours were still angry with Lydia.
“It’s okay, Geri. Thomas is my friend,” Lydia said, holding her arms out to the stinky nutter.
They hugged and I almost barfed in my mouth. I could smell him from where I was standing. He couldn’t have washed in a decade.
“How are you, Tom? You’ve not changed a bit.”
Thomas ripped the cap off his head, his long, matted hair stuck up everywhere, and he attempted a dodgy smile. I realised he was nowhere near as old as I’d thought. And he had the bluest eyes I ever did see.
“Good. You home.” He shook his head, his eyes filling with tears.
“Yes, I’m home, my friend. You were the only one who believed in me, weren’t you?”
“Wrong.” He slammed the cap back on and walked away angrily.
“He is one bloody nutcase. You know that?” I said, shaking my head as I watched the odd man hobble away.
“He’s harmless. Thomas loved little Joey, and I think it sent him a little further over the edge of insanity when he died.”
I got a sudden griping twinge in the pit of my stomach. I’ve never wanted to cry as much as I did at that moment, but with Lydia being so strong, what right did I have to blubber? I managed to hold myself together.
I handed her the keys as we reached the door. I considered opening it and entering first, but it was her house, so I needed to be led by her.
As the door swung inwards, she stopped dead—hardly breathing.
My whole body quivered. This house gave me the creeps before, but now, with the baby’s own mother with me, I wasn’t sure if I could even step through the door.
“Lydia?” I said, eventually.
She glanced at me and nodded, reaching for my hand.
“You can do this. It’s just a house.” I sounded convincing, even to my own ears.
“It’s just a house,” she repeated.
“That’s right. Let’s get it over with before Lee arrives, remember?”
Lydia turned to face the road for a second, then braced herself and walked inside.
I gulped, suddenly feeling sick, and followed.
Lydia stood in the kitchen doorway, glancing around. Then, she picked up an electricity bill that was leaning against the wall by the phone. Shaking her head, she put it back.
I didn’t know what to do, so I opted to do nothing for now.
In the dining room, she stopped, leaning against the back of one of the chairs. “I don’t think I can do this, after all.”
“Really? You’ve come so far already. If you give up now you’ll never find the strength to do it.”
“I know you’re right. Will you come upstairs with me?”
“Of course I will.”
She held out her hand and I took it, gripping it tight. “It’s just a house,” I said again.
She nodded, then began climbing the stairs.
I braced myself for a meltdown, but she showed no real emotion when she reached the bathroom. She walked inside and put down the lid of the toilet before sitting on it.
She looked at me. “It’s just a house.” She stroked her fingertips along the rim of the bath.
I don’t know what was going through her mind, but the thought of the little man taking his last breath in that very bath almost killed me. If I closed my eyes for long enough, I could see him floating, and I never even knew him, so goodness knows what she could see. However, whatever it was, she didn’t let on.
She didn’t speak—neither of us did, and twenty minutes must have passed before Lydia finally got to her feet.
“I thought that once I came back I would somehow remember. But I don’t. I honestly don’t remember a thing after leaving him in his cot while I went for a lie down.” With her words came the tears.
“I know you don’t. Come here.” I pulled her into my arms and she allowed herself to sob.
“I had several dreams in prison. I dreamed I saw him, chuckling and splashing in the bubbles. I remember him biting the rubber fish he loved so much.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I don’t know. Maybe, the vodka?” She stiffened, a strange goran coming from her as she bent double. “He was my life, why would I...?” She sobbed.
I cried too. The tragic reality was too much to bear. This beautiful soul had lost the most
precious thing in the world to her, and she only had herself to blame.
“So you think maybe you do remember?”
She shrugged. “I want to remember. At least then I could try to forget. I know that sounds stupid, but until I remember, I’ll never believe it. I bathed him every single night, and so the memory of him in the bubbles is a real one, but I don’t know if it’s from the day he died.”
“It doesn’t sound stupid at all. I would be exactly the same.”
“I knew you’d understand, Geri. You’re a good person, you know?”
She stepped away from me and continued to Joseph’s room. As she opened the door she gasped, then stepped back, bumping into me.
“I’m sorry,” I said, moving out of the way.
“I fully expected Joseph’s things to be the way I left them. I didn’t think Lee was strong enough to box it all up.”
“He wasn’t. James and I did it. I hope we did the right thing?”
“You did, thanks. This is the room I dreaded the most. The last time I saw him alive, he was chuckling away to himself in his cot.” Her voice cracked halfway through her sentence.
“That’s why we thought it best to pack everything away. It’s all still there for whenever you find the strength to go through it.”
“Thanks. I mean it.” She gripped my fingers once again.
***
James sat in the interview room while Lee gave his statement. A middle-aged, balding detective, DI Cassidy, and his twenty-something female sidekick, Detective Elliot, went through every little detail, which seemed to distress Lee all over again. James worried how he would cope in a court of law.
“When were you last at the cottage, Mr Barnes?” DI Cassidy asked.
“Tuesday morning. I’d been there a few days because I was trying to get as much of the work finished as I could before my wife came home.”
“Home from where?”
Lee glanced at James with a here-we-go expression. “She was released from Holloway yesterday.”
That seemed to wake the detective up, and he sat forward in his seat.
“Holloway? Your wife has just been released from prison?”
“That’s right. Listen, I don’t mind telling you. It’s public knowledge anyway. She suffered from post-natal depression and our baby son died in her care.”
“So she was convicted of infanticide?”
“Correct.”
“That must have been terrible, and very traumatic for you to deal with. Were you looking forward to her coming home?”
“Of course I was. My wife is a wonderful, compassionate, and caring woman who happened to suffer from a terrible condition, which resulted in our little boy losing his life. I think she’s paid the price, don’t you?”
DI Cassidy cleared his throat and glanced at his colleague who was struggling to stifle a smile—clearly thrilled to see him put in his place.
“Where was I? Oh yes, when were you last at the cottage?”
“Tuesday morning. Why?”
This alerted James, and his head snapped around to look at his friend, who shot him a sharp look in return.
“It appears the young woman has been there a day or two.”
“Can’t be two, unless she arrived just after I left.”
“Do you have an idea of the exact time you left?”
“Nine—nine thirtyish.”
James’ eyebrows furrowed, and Lee eyeballed him.
“I guess it’s possible she was here right after. Did you see anything suspicious before you left?”
“I’ve already been through all this. No, I didn’t see a thing.”
“Okay, that should be all for now.”
“What will happen?”
“We’ll continue our investigation. We’ll know more once forensics have completed their report and we get the post-mortem results. We’ll interview the neighbours and anybody who knew your attacker, and try to find out the identity of the young lady,” DI Cassidy said.
“What about me?”
“You’re free to go. We will be in touch in the next few days, but I must warn you, there is likely to be a charge of murder.”
“For me?” Lee asked, clearly startled.
“I’m afraid so, sir. But I wouldn’t concern yourself with that too much. From what you’ve told us, it’s a classic case of self-defence.”
“I hope so. I’m the victim here.”
“We know you are, sir. Are you going back to your Nottingham address?”
“Yes, but what about the cottage? Will you make sure it’s all locked up once you’ve finished your investigation?”
“Of course we will. And I’ll give you a call once it’s safe to return.”
They got to their feet.
DI Cassidy walked them out to the car park.
“We should have all we need for now, Mr Barnes, but we’ll call you if not.”
They watched the detective in silence until he was out of earshot.
“You left later than 9am,” James hissed. “I was calling you all day and you said you were decorating and had put the phone on silent.”
“Are you sure? I could’ve sworn it was earlier than that.”
“No. You didn’t reach home until late.”
“It’s not as if it makes a difference. They’ll work out the time of death and see it was way after that time.”
“I guess. But I think you need to mention it to them, nevertheless.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll do it when he calls later.”
Chapter 18
I made it home with just ten minutes to spare before I needed to head back out and drop Grace off at the nursery.
Lydia came with me to collect the few items she’d left at ours, and then she headed back to her own home.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” I said, as I pulled Grace’s Dora the Explorer coat on.
“I will be. Thanks to you. I just hope Lee’s alright.”
“I know. I thought they would be home by now,” I said, pulling out my phone. “I’ll text James and tell him to let Lee know where to find you. Sorry, Lydia, I’m going to be late. Just pull the door closed when you leave.”
Grace laughed hysterically at being bounced around in the pushchair while I huffed and puffed behind her to get her to the nursery on time. I hadn’t done that amount of running for years.
Fifteen minutes later, I entered the store expecting to see Erica, but instead I was greeted by a middle-aged man. He was tall and unhealthily thin, with a sallow complexion and lank greying hair.
“Hi, I’m Geraldine.”
“Ah, it’s lovely to meet you, Geraldine. I’m Craig—Erica’s husband.” He lifted the hinged counter top for me to pass through into the back. “I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with me this afternoon. Erica’s got one of her heads.”
“Ooh, nothing bad, I hope.”
After the niceties, he showed me to a stack of boxes in the back room. He talked me through the process of checking off the contents and stacking the items either on the shelves in the store, or in the stock room.
I got stuck in and actually enjoyed being left to it. I almost fell over the boxes, a little later, when Craig appeared in front of me.
“Fancy a break? I’ve just put the kettle on,” he said.
I followed him through to the tiny staff kitchen and washed my dirty hands in the sink.
“So, how’s it going so far?” Craig asked.
“Great, yeah. I’m enjoying the peace to be honest with you.”
“Hectic home life? Tea or coffee?”
“Tea, please. Milk, no sugar. Yeah, hectic is one way to describe it. What, with a ten-month-old madam, and the neighbours staying with us.” I realised my mistake as the words were out.
“Neighbours staying? Hmmm, intriguing. Tell all.”
“I’m best off keeping schtum. It’s none of my business. I’m sorry I mentioned it.”
“Now I’m all curious. Come on, cough up. It won’t go an
y further, I promise.”
“Shop!” came a welcome voice from outside the door.
Craig placed a cup on the Formica table in front of me, before hurrying towards the voice.
Craig appeared back in the doorway a few minutes later. “So come on, what were you about to tell me?”
“Nothing!” I laughed, shaking my head. “I thought women were supposed to be gossips, not men.”
“I’m not a gossip!” He feigned hurt. “I’m just interested in my fellow man.” His cheeky green eyes twinkled.
“Course you are.”
“So, come on. Which neighbours have you been harbouring, and why?”
“Harbouring? That sounds like something you’d say about a criminal.” Once again, I realised what I’d said and almost bit my tongue off.
“Not at all. I think you’ll find harbouring means to give a home or shelter to.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll tell you.”
“Hang on.” He pulled out a chair and sat across from me. “Okay, go.”
I laughed. This guy was a scream. “You know Lee and Lydia?”
“Lydia? You mean...?”
“Yes. She was released yesterday but couldn’t face going inside their house.”
“And who can blame her? Terrible business. That poor little kiddy.” He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes in an extended blink.
“I know. And I know I wasn’t around here then, but James was, and I understand how terrible it must have been. But she’s paid the price.”
“Six years. Six years for killing an innocent little boy? You know we tried for years to have a baby of our own. But when we couldn’t, we settled on loving and caring for all the kiddies in the area who would come in here daily. Joseph was one of those babies. That woman tore our hearts out when she did what she did.”
The atmosphere had definitely taken a chilly downwards turn.
“That’s terrible,” I said. “And I do understand.”
“I don’t think you understand at all, Geraldine.” Craig got to his feet and took the cup out of my hand. “I think you should go home to your guests.”
“No. I don’t—”
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