by Anita Waller
Michael led her into the lounge and handed her a glass of wine. He kissed her gently. ‘It’s been a long day without you.’ He smiled into her upturned face.
She leaned against him. ‘I know. And it will be a long time before we can be open about whatever is happening between us.’
‘Come on, sit down. We’ve a football match to watch. All our problems will pale into insignificance if England loses tonight.’ Anna smiled to herself; although he was ambivalent towards football, Michael was the one insisting they watch it.
Anna switched her phone on silent, sent a text message to Jenny saying she was home, and settled down to watch television.
Jenny received the text, replied, Okay, love you, and rang Anna’s landline. There was no response. She would have been surprised if Anna had answered.
*****
The next morning Anna checked her phone, and saw that she had a text from Charlie. Hey you, it said, you still alive? Not spoken for ages. RING ME!!!
She had two missed calls from Charlie and one from Lissy. She decided to wait until she got back to Sheffield before contacting them.
They had lunch in Newark and then headed off for Sheffield, Michael never more than a car length away from her. They parked on opposite sides of the car park, and Michael gave her ten minutes to get into her apartment before leaving his car. He sat with his mobile phone in his hand just in case she had to send a quick text to warn him about anyone being around; they were getting very good at having a clandestine affair.
Michael eventually locked his car and walked across to the lift. He laughed as he entered the apartment and took his holdall into the bedroom. ‘This is like being back at the beginning, isn’t it? All these years, and we’re still creeping around like teenagers. You’d think at our age we could be open about our relationship, but no! Not us... we were never going to be easy, were we?’
‘We can’t be easy.’ Anna sounded serious. ‘I’m a murder suspect, don’t forget.’
Again, he laughed. ‘Murder suspect indeed! Pretty long arms with you in Sheffield and the bodies in Lincoln. I’ll put the kettle on. You go and sit down.’
‘Actually, I need to ring Charlie. She sent me a stroppy text last night to ring her, and I have been neglecting her. She’s been so good with me throughout all this...’
‘Then let me make you a drink, and I’ll go read in the bedroom until you’ve finished. She’ll not hear any background noises then.’
Anna smiled up at him. ‘Thank you.’ At times, his thoughtfulness overwhelmed her. Used to a lifetime of selfishness and indifference from the man she had married, Anna was learning to appreciate what a relationship should be like.
‘Thank you. That makes sense.’
Charlie answered her call straight away. ‘Hi you! You okay?’
‘I’m fine, Charlie. I didn’t get back from Lincoln until late last night so thought I’d wait till today to ring. And are you all okay?’
‘Of course. Dan’s on a diet, so there is tension in this happy household, but apart from that, we’re good.’
‘On a diet? Is he ill? I simply cannot imagine a slim line Dan.’
‘He’s been diagnosed with diabetes, so I’ve banned everything he likes. It’s quite funny really. But, it’s the rich tea fingers, instead of the chocolate digestives, hitting him the hardest. However, he’s lost a stone in four weeks, and the plus side is, so have I! You’ll not know us next time you see us.’
They chatted for half an hour about mainly inconsequential things, and then Anna filled her in on what DI Gainsborough had passed on the day before.
‘They seem to be up against a brick wall, then?’
‘Seems so.’ Anna paused slightly. ‘I haven’t grieved, Charlie. I know I stopped loving him a long time ago, but even so, I was married to him for thirty-five years. I feel absolutely nothing now he has gone.’
Charlie sighed. ‘The children will be grieving; they loved him. Take comfort from that and move on. And on that note, I’m going to have to love and leave you. I have someone coming to collect two quilts I’ve made for her, and her car’s just pulled up outside. I can’t let Dan answer the door, because he appears to be dripping blood on my kitchen floor.’
She heard Dan shout, ‘Hi, Anna,’ in the background, and she laughed.
‘Go and deal with your assorted crises, Charlie. We’ll speak soon.’
‘And make sure we do,’ Charlie responded. ‘Love you.’
‘And love you, too.’
Anna disconnected with a smile, and Michael came through from the bedroom. ‘Everything okay?’
‘It’s fine. Dan’s dripping blood on the kitchen floor, and he’s on a diet, but everything’s okay with Charlie.’
He walked across to the huge window and looked down. ‘It will be a different view for you soon. How long before you can move?’
‘Oh, not long. About another four weeks. I can probably get a key, if you’d like to see it?’
‘That would be good, but it’s right next door to Lissy and Jon. They might hear and come to investigate, so, no. Let’s leave it. We are going to have to think about the future, though.’ He sounded serious.
‘Not yet,’ she was quick to reply. ‘Can you imagine the reaction of Mark and Jenny, Tim, Caro, if they found out I had met up with you? I’m not even sure Charlie would understand, although out of everybody, she would be the one most likely to accept the situation. We can’t think of any sort of future together for at least a year.’
Michael pulled her to him, and they looked at the view together. He kissed the top of her head. ‘Whatever you say, Anna, but one day, we’ll be seen. I just want you to know right now I’m going nowhere. I love you; I’ve waited for you for too long.’
They stood for a while looking out across the part of the city visible to them, and then Anna moved to the kitchen area to see what she could prepare for their evening meal. She opened the fridge, rifled quickly through its contents, and closed the door with a sigh.
He laughed at her disgruntled expression. ‘Let’s have a pizza on the balcony, with a bottle of wine.’
‘You sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure. Shopping tomorrow, then?’
‘I’ll do an online shop now, and they’ll deliver tomorrow.’ She came and sat by him. ‘We’re turning into a couple, aren’t we?’
‘Hope so,’ he said with a grin.
*****
Anna went across to Lissy’s flat later and stayed for just over an hour. Michael had said he fancied a bath, and she had left him to it, telling him to take his time; she’d be at least an hour, going on past experience, as they had some catching up to do.
Jon and Lissy were delighted to see her. Jon made the drinks, provided a plate of cakes, and disappeared to his computer area, leaving the two women to chat.
Lissy wanted to know all about the changes at Lindum Lodge, the children, and if Jenny and Mark were okay.
Anna filled her in on everything, including the visit from Gainsborough. Lissy looked troubled. ‘You’re never going to get closure on this, are you?’
Anna shook her head. ‘It’s starting to feel like that. I know it’s a strange thing to say, but it’s almost as though they’re waiting for another murder to see if they can get any further clues from that, because they got nothing from the first three! He went to great pains to tell me they never close a murder enquiry, and most murders are solved at some point; it was almost as if he was saying don’t hold your breath on this one.’
Lissy could see Anna was looking troubled. ‘Let’s change the subject.’ She held up the garment she had put to one side when Anna walked through the door. ‘What do you think of this?’
It was a dress for a little girl of around five years, and it was almost cobweb like. The fabric was so delicate in a very pale shade of grey, with a white lining bringing out the ethereal quality of the top layer. The tiniest of blue flowers were scattered in a pattern meant to be random, but Anna knew was carefully trian
gulated by Lissy.
‘Oh my God, Lissy. How beautiful.’ Her tone was reverential. ‘I’d never let any child wear it.’
Lissy laughed. ‘You would this particular child. She, like me, spends her life in a wheelchair, and is one of the sweetest kids I know. I’ve taken extra care on this one.’
She laid it down gently, and, with the subject away from Ray’s death, they continued to talk about insignificant things, until Anna rose to leave.
‘It’s been lovely,’ she said, as she bent to kiss Lissy. ‘And it’s not going to be too long before we’re proper neighbours. We’ll be able to go out on our balconies and talk like little old ladies over the garden fence.’
‘Less of the little old ladies,’ Jon said, as he re-joined them. ‘Lissy, you need anything? I’ll walk Anna to her door, then I’m nipping down to the car. Won’t be a minute.’
Lissy shook her head, and Jon and Anna left her picking up the dress once more.
Jon looked troubled. Anna sensed he wanted to speak and waited at her door. ‘Everything okay?’
‘Not really. She’s not very well. Her pain has increased, and she’s sleeping more. Your visit today has been a godsend. She’s actually been quite animated. Thank you.’
‘And what do the doctor’s say?’
‘She hasn’t told them. She keeps saying it’s just a phase. It’s more than that. I just wanted you to be aware of my concerns so you can watch for any changes when you’re with her. I can’t force her to see a doctor...’
Anna squeezed his hand. ‘I’ll watch out for her. And I’ll report back. It may just be a medication imbalance, but if it is, her doctor does need to know. You may just have to send for him. Or go and talk to him.’
‘Thank you, Anna. I feel better for two of us being aware.’
Jon turned towards the lift. ‘And now, I’ve got to go and rummage in the car for something to bring back up, or she’ll know it was just an excuse,’ he laughed.
She entered her own apartment, and Michael was in the bedroom. He was hanging up a couple of shirts in her wardrobe, and she froze. He had lived out of his holdall every other time he had stayed for longer than a day.
‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said, ‘but these shirts crease so much if I don’t hang them. I didn’t want them to go into the other room, just in case anyone did a Caroline and turned up unexpectedly to stay. I’ve just eased your clothes up a bit and taken up three inches of room at this end. And as this wardrobe actually locks, it’s the ideal place to put any bits I have. Are you ok?’ He had suddenly noticed the shock on her face.
‘No. I’m fine. It just suddenly hit me I should have organised something for you anyway.’ Anna tried to talk her way out of it.
Michael nodded, not completely convinced. ‘I’ve moved the shelf stuff over slightly to put my dressing gown up there, but it’s still in a packet for the time being. I bought a new one so I can actually leave that here. I didn’t want to damage that.’ He pointed to the bed. ‘So I’ll put it back when I’ve done.’
Anna looked towards the bed and saw the envelope. The words on the front stood out – TO BE OPENED IN THE EVENT OF MY DEATH. Jenny had written them on to perpetuate the myth Anna thought the letters concealed inside were for her children and instructions for her funeral.
‘Ray’s death convinced me I should be prepared. They are letters for the children.’
Michael nodded. ‘I guessed it was something like that. I’ll put it back carefully, I promise. You’ll be able to put it in the safe in the new place, keep it secure. Just don’t forget to tell them it’s there.’
Anna knew instantly she had made an error; she should have told him they were Jenny’s letters to her children. Now, she would have to remember both lies.
He picked up the envelope and slid it back on to the shelf. ‘There, all done. I feel I’m properly part of your life now I have a dressing gown of my own,’ he said with a grin.
She smiled at him, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Shall I order the pizza?’
‘Mmmm. I’m ready for a glass of wine, beautiful lady. We’ll sit out on the balcony, shall we?’
Anna nodded, and walked out of the bedroom. She just needed five minutes to compose herself. She picked up the bottle of brandy. That would help.
Chapter 38
Five weeks later, Anna moved into her new apartment. She had booked a removals company, because, despite being just across the spacious communal vestibule, she had heavy furniture.
The two men who rang for admittance were delighted to be doing the job – an easy day for them. They arrived before 8.00am, and were finished within two hours. Anna sank back on to her sofa and stared around her. So many boxes to be unpacked – how could she have accumulated so much in such a short space of time?
Anna pulled her large handbag towards her and took out the brown envelope with Jenny’s instructions on the front. Crossing to the wall safe, she opened it. Inside was a piece of paper with instructions on how to set the combination lock. It was a four digit one, and Anna decided to use her birthday and Jenny’s birthday, entering 1-2-1-0, and closing it with a little prayer.
Anna entered it again, and it clicked open. She breathed a sigh of relief. She placed the envelope in it, along with her passport, and re-entered the numbers. The original owners had opted to have a mirror covering it, rather than a picture, and she swung it over to conceal the safe completely.
Now, she could unpack.
Lissy arrived at lunchtime with a picnic basket and a large bunch of flowers.
‘Welcome to your new home,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’ve brought lunch.’
Anna promptly stopped the organisation of her kitchen, and they sat and giggled through the impromptu meal and wine. It was all finger food and paper plates, with wine drunk from plastic wineglasses, and Anna couldn’t remember ever enjoying a picnic more. By 2.00pm, she could see the strain on Lissy’s face, and she packed everything away into the picnic basket and wheeled her back next door.
‘Have a sleep,’ she said firmly, kissing her on the cheek. ‘Thank you for lunch, thank you for my flowers, and I don’t want to see you again today. Rest, Lissy. That’s an instruction, not a request.’
Lissy smiled. ‘Bully,’ she muttered good-naturedly, and wheeled herself inside. Anna watched her move towards her bedroom and quietly closed the door.
She texted Jon. Lissy hopefully gone to bed. She looks tired.
Anna then rang Michael; they had agreed not to meet for a few days so if her family arrived unexpectedly, they wouldn’t bump into him. They chatted for half an hour, and then she went back to the unpacking. One wall of the large bedroom was filled entirely with wardrobes. The end one, nearest the window, was a small one, and she allocated that to Michael. She would discuss it with him, but she thought they had better fix a lock to it.
At 4.00pm, the intercom buzzed. Anna could hear the excited chatter of the children, and Mark’s voice said, ‘It’s us.’
She released the entrance door and then went to stand by the lift. The children barrelled out, excited to be seeing Nan’s new home. How they had changed now they were getting to know her; another black mark against Ray.
She led them to her apartment and showed them round. She was thankful there was nothing in the wardrobe she had earmarked for Michael; she had put his toiletries bag and dressing gown into a drawer. She wanted nothing in it until it could be locked.
‘We’re taking you out for a meal tonight. As long as we’re heading back by about eight o’clock, we’ll be fine. Grace won’t be too late in bed. You know Sheffield better than we do, so you choose where we go.’
‘There are some lovely restaurants up by the Winter Gardens; we can have a walk up there, if you like. We’ll get in one of them, I’m sure. And thank you, that will be lovely.’
Mark looked around. ‘What can we do?’
‘Set up the computer room? The small bedroom is going to be for my craft storage, and my computer desk is al
ready in there. I’m going to get a small sofa bed for in there. It can be used as an extra bedroom, if I need it.’
Mark nodded. ‘Okay. We’re here to help.’
‘Have you set up the middle bedroom?’ Jenny asked.
‘No, I was just getting my room done so I can sleep comfortably tonight. If you’d like to put the new bedding on,’ she pointed to the door to the bedroom in question, ‘that would be a help. There’s also a large box in there with towels, spare bedding and such like in it. I’m going to use that built-in cupboard thing in there for that, so you could empty it, if you don’t mind, Jenny.’
The children were out on the balcony, enjoying the sunshine and chatting. Mark disappeared into the small room, and without speaking, Anna beckoned Jenny towards the mirror.
She swung it open and revealed the safe.
‘It’s already in there,’ she said quietly. ‘I’ll text you the combination and the code to get in the entrance door.’ She handed her a key. ‘This is for my own door. Keep it safe. Having all these numbers won’t help you, if you can’t get in here.’
Jenny nodded. ‘Thank you, Anna.’
Anna swung the mirror back into place, and Jenny moved towards the middle bedroom. ‘It’s lovely,’ she said. ‘Your new home, it’s lovely.’
By the time they walked up the High Street and then Fargate to get to the restaurants, it was just after six, and the apartment was clear of boxes, all beds made, and her office room was fully functional.
They had a barbecue meal and walked back down feeling extremely full. Mark and Jenny decided to head straight off for home, instead of going back up to Anna’s place, and she waved them off with a smile. Jenny had been quiet, and Anna hoped it was because she was now on medication.
Anna spent her first night in her new home chatting with Michael on Skype before going to bed just after 10.00pm, with a mug of hot chocolate and a book. She read one page, and the hot chocolate slowly became cold chocolate through the night, but Anna had slept soundly and felt refreshed by the time she stirred next morning. It had been a good day.