by Susan Lewis
‘I’ve been thinking it over,’ Phyllis continued unabashed, ‘and you really can’t let the opportunity of this summer festival pass you by. If you make a success of it, and I’m sure you will, it’ll put you in good stead with the hotel for future events, which you’re going to need. You have to earn money somehow, so why not earn it doing what you enjoy and you’re good at?’
Finding her voice at last, Emma said, ‘This is wonderful of you, Mum, it really is, but I can’t let you take responsibility for Lauren when ...’
‘Why ever not? She’s my granddaughter, so if that doesn’t make her my responsibility I don’t know what does. And I won’t be doing it alone; Berry will come to stay whenever she can, and you’ll be working from home some of the time, and I’m sure physios and carers will be coming and going until she’s able to move herself around ...’
‘We don’t know yet what she’s going to be able to do, and besides, there’s still the small matter of my job at the vet’s. I can’t just let them down.’
‘Polly’s already on to that. She’s sure she can find someone to step in and fill the place until the girl comes back from maternity leave, which ... You’d better answer that,’ she said as Emma’s phone started to ring.
Tearing her eyes from her mother, Emma checked the number, and clicked on. ‘Hello, Emma Scott speaking,’ she said, still dazed by the way Phyllis was taking over, and finding she really liked it.
‘Mrs Scott, I hope you don’t mind me calling,’ the voice at the other end said. ‘I got your number from when you rang here last week. It’s Russell Lomax, Oliver’s father.’
Feeling a quick catch of surprise, Emma stared hard at her mother as she said, ‘Hello Mr Lomax.’
Phyllis’s eyes widened.
‘Would now be a convenient time to talk?’ he asked.
‘I guess it’s as good as any,’ she replied. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Well, first I’d like to thank you for what you’re doing for Oliver. It means a great deal to him to see Lauren. I hadn’t actually realised it was happening until you found him there and he told me about it afterwards. Frankly, I’m not sure what I’d have done in your shoes, but the fact that you’ve treated him as kindly as you have ... It’s a great deal more than we deserve in the circumstances.’
‘I don’t imagine it’s been easy for him either,’ Emma responded. ‘Certainly, when I spoke to him, I got the impression he’s been finding it difficult.’
‘Yes, he has, and he’s been getting himself quite worked up about coming to see her. I think he was terrified you were going to put him off altogether. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had, I don’t think he would either, but we were both very glad that you didn’t. I just hope it’s going well.’
‘Well, it seemed to be when I left them together. In fact, I can tell you that your son managed to put a smile on her face, which is the first one we’ve seen since she came round.’
There was a note of relief, and maybe pride in his voice as he said, ‘I’m very glad to hear that. The last thing I want is him upsetting her, or causing you any unnecessary distress ...’
‘It’s really not happening, so please don’t worry. I think him being here is good for her. My only fear is that she’ll become attached to him, and with the charges he’s facing, if he should find himself ... unable to come any more ...’
‘Actually, that’s my other reason for calling, but it’s something I’d rather not discuss on the phone, if you don’t mind. I can meet you, at your convenience of course, maybe somewhere close to the hospital, or perhaps in town.’
This was so unexpected that Emma couldn’t immediately think what to say.
‘I understand I’m asking a lot,’ he went on, ‘but if you could spare the time ...’
‘I’m sure I can, but ... I’m just trying to think ... when would be best.’
‘Please don’t feel rushed into giving me an answer. You have my number, so you can give me a call when you’re ready.’
‘OK, I will,’ she replied, feeling certain she’d want to ask more as soon as she rang off. However, for the moment, she could think of nothing, so she simply responded to his goodbye and disconnected.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
IT WAS ANOTHER ten days before Emma and Russ were finally able to meet, the delay being caused by Dr Hanson’s success in getting the funding for Lauren to be transferred to the Brain Injury Rehab Centre. The hospital, in need of the bed, had wasted no time in discharging her, so she was now settling into her own room on Maple Corridor, with posters and photographs on the walls, a bird feeder outside the window, her clothes hanging in the wardrobe and her guitar and flute propped in a corner. Her first week’s schedule of therapy had already been drawn up, and though she was understandably disoriented, and seemed a little scared whenever Emma left, she’d just these last two days started to show signs of relating to Lizzie, her key worker. Lucy, her speech and language therapist, was highly encouraging in her first assessment of how well she was managing to communicate at such an early stage. She was still not speaking, but she was nodding and shaking her head with what seemed to be growing ease, and over the past week or so she’d begun uttering various sounds that, though not intelligible, were at least proving that the muscles in her throat were strengthening. She was also managing to swallow puréed foods, and was able to raise her left hand as well as her right, though she was hardly waving, or even reaching her own face without a certain degree of difficulty, but it was all progress.
The other really good news was that her leg was now receiving proper attention, and though it would still be quite some time before she’d be able to stand, much less walk on it, the size of her splint had already been reduced and she was starting to learn how to flex the muscles that hadn’t moved for too long.
Throughout almost all of her small triumphs Oliver had been there, either sitting with her and encouraging her to engage with her specialist team, or just keeping her company after the others had gone. When the doctors did their rounds, or other visitors came to see her, he waited across the corridor from her room, giving her a droll sort of wave if he spotted her looking for him, and returning to her side as soon as he could. Occasionally he even sat with her when she slept, holding her hand, and sometimes dozing off himself. Seeing them together never failed to warm Emma’s heart; and she knew the staff at the centre were equally moved by the image these two youngsters created. Having found out who he was, doctors, nurses and therapists alike were as touched by the bond developing in front of their eyes as they were entranced by the effect this dedicated young man was having on their new charge.
While Emma hadn’t broached the subject of Oliver’s looming trial with Oliver himself, she’d learned from Clive Andrews just over a week ago that the preliminary hearing had been postponed. Andrews hadn’t said why, or until when, only that he’d be in touch again as soon as a new date had been set. She guessed that must have happened now, since she’d received a message from him this morning asking if he could come to see her sometime today or tomorrow. She presumed he wanted to discuss the case with her before it began; prepare her for what might happen, and possibly even try to dissuade her from attending. He wouldn’t have a problem with the latter, because she had no intention of going. In fact she wished it wasn’t happening at all, because she was dreading having to explain to Lauren why Oliver had stopped coming to see her.
Spotting Russ Lomax waiting in a secluded banquette at Graze, a large, friendly cafe on the corner of Queen’s Square in the centre of town, Emma tucked her mobile in her bag and hurried across to join him. How strange it seemed, to be meeting this man whom she’d only ever seen on TV until now. She’d never even dreamt that their paths might one day cross, and certainly not in the way that they had.
‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ she said, shaking his hand as he stood up to greet her. He was as tall and well built as she’d expected, and his looks were so clearly the forerunner of Oliver’s that it was hard not to comment. What she
noticed most about him, however, were the deeply etched lines of tiredness around his eyes. ‘I got caught up on the phone before leaving the house,’ she explained unnecessarily.
‘It’s not a problem,’ he assured her. ‘I’m glad you could make it.’
To her surprise she felt herself colouring slightly as she sat into the bench seat opposite his. ‘I see you already have a coffee,’ she said, glad he hadn’t waited for her to arrive.
‘Let me get you one. What would you like?’
‘A cappuccino, thank you,’ she told the waiter who was hovering.
Left alone they glanced at one another awkwardly, then both started to speak at once. He insisted she went first.
‘I was just going to say that Oliver texted about half an hour ago to let me know he’d arrived at the hospital and that Lauren had almost knocked him out with her smile.’ She laughed at the joke. ‘He’s very considerate,’ she added.
Russ’s ironic look seemed to say, that’s certainly what he would like you to think.
Emma smiled too. ‘They’re always better with other people, aren’t they?’ she said.
He nodded. ‘But Lauren’s not just any other person to him, as I’m sure you are very much aware by now.’
‘I have to say he’s impressed us all with how dedicated he is, and patient and good-humoured. Half the time I don’t know what he says to make Lauren laugh, but whatever it is, it never seems to fail.’ Thinking of Lauren’s frantic gulps of mirth tore her heart between happiness and grief, for they weren’t anything like the infectious, mellifluous sounds she’d made before. Would that change? She hoped so, but even if it didn’t, it would never alter how much she loved and admired her daughter for her courage and spirit. ‘Even the specialists are crediting him with how well her recovery is going,’ she went on.
Russ’s eyebrows rose. ‘I’m afraid he’s immodest enough to tell me so when he comes home,’ he informed her. ‘And then, lucky me, I get to hear it all over again when he calls his brother to make sure he’s up to speed too.’
Emma’s eyes danced. ‘He has good reason to feel proud of himself,’ she declared, liking the sound of how close Oliver was to his father and brother. Did it in any way make up for the loss of his mother? That was what they said about alcoholics, that it was as though their families were the victims of another kind of death or loss when they drowned themselves in their addiction. Her eyes went down. ‘We shall miss him a great deal,’ she said, ‘once the trial ... I mean when ... if ... he stops coming.’
Russ waited as her coffee was delivered, and when they were alone again he said, ‘Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about.’
Emma forced a smile as she looked up. ‘It’s not only what kind of punishment he might get, is it?’ she said. ‘And whatever it is, it’s going to affect his visits to Lauren. It’s that he’s devoting all his time to her, when I’m sure you’re anxious for him to find a job and get on with his life. Except he can’t with this trial hanging over him.’
‘It’s true, I am keen for him to sort himself out, but we’ve discussed his need to be there for Lauren and I guess I understand why he doesn’t feel right about carrying on with his life when she’s still struggling to rebuild hers. So I’ve agreed that I won’t push him to do anything about his future until Lauren is able to start considering hers.’
Emma felt quietly stunned. Surely he must realise it could be months, even years before Lauren was in a position to start studying again, or even be able to take care of herself. However, Oliver’s devotion and his father’s support wouldn’t mean anything if the judge handed out a custodial sentence. Even a driving ban would make it extremely difficult for Oliver to continue visiting as often as he had over these last few weeks, so whichever way they looked at it, things weren’t going to continue the way they were.
She ached to think of how much Lauren was going to miss him.
‘Returning to the subject of Oliver’s trial,’ Russ went on, glancing down at his coffee. ‘When I rang you to make this arrangement my intention was simply to tell you what we were hoping to achieve from a meeting we’d recently had with the senior prosecutor. I thought it only fair, because of how deeply it was likely to affect you. Now that we’ve achieved our aim ...’ His dark eyes came earnestly to hers. ‘Are you aware ...? Have the police spoken to you yet about the prosecution?’
Emma shook her head. A small panic was starting inside her. What was going wrong? What more should she be bracing herself for? ‘I had a message earlier from our family liaison officer,’ she told him. ‘He wants to come and see me. I’m guessing, from what you’re saying, that it’s about ... whatever you’re about to tell me.’
Russ nodded, and she couldn’t tell whether he was sorry or relieved to be breaking the news himself. She was surprised, and then unsettled, by how uneasy he suddenly seemed. ‘Our lawyer heard last night,’ he said, ‘that the charges against Oliver are being dropped.’
Emma’s heart gave an unsteady beat. She was trying to make sense of his words, but it was hard, because charges like that didn’t, couldn’t, just go away. It simply wasn’t possible.
‘I expect you’ve heard about the missing blood sample,’ Russ continued.
She nodded. ‘But I thought they’d found it.’
‘So did they. I’m afraid it was a total screw-up from start to finish. Heaven only knows what’s happened to the blood Oliver gave, but no one’s able to put their hands on it now. Obviously, without it a prosecution for drink-driving is seriously compromised.’
But there was the dangerous-driving charge. The offence that had actually put Lauren where she was. She didn’t speak the words, but he must have read her mind because he said, ‘I’m not sure if you’re aware of the speed Oliver was driving at when the accident happened, but he turned out to be only marginally over the limit, which doesn’t in itself nullify a prosecution, especially given the extent of Lauren’s injuries. However, put together with the lost blood sample and the special reasons our lawyer was planning to present as a defence ... Special reasons effectively means ...’
‘Actually, I know what it means,’ she interrupted. She’d come across it only once, a few years ago, when someone who’d worked for her had escaped a drink-drive prosecution because he’d been rushing his sick child to hospital at the time he’d been stopped. In Oliver’s case, they’d clearly been planning to use his mother’s threat to commit suicide. She didn’t blame them, she was sure she’d have done the same in their shoes, but there had to be some sort of justice for Lauren. The police couldn’t just turn away from this as though it had never happened.
‘Is that why he’s been going to see Lauren?’ she asked brusquely. ‘To make it look good in case he did end up in court?’
Russ shook his head. ‘He goes because he genuinely cares.’
Certain that was true, she looked down at her hands, sorry now for the harshness of her accusation. No grudges, no recriminations.
‘I realise how difficult this must be for you,’ Russ said gently. ‘I’m sorry, that sounds patronising. What I’m trying to say is, I truly don’t think there’s anything to be gained, for anyone, from this prosecution going ahead. If Oliver is being as supportive to Lauren as ...’
‘He is, and I understand why you, or your lawyer, would do this. You have to as a parent, and he has to because it’s his job. I just don’t ...’ She shook her head. What was she trying to say? Her mind was all over the place; she couldn’t make this seem right, but at the same time was it really so wrong?
‘The decision was taken at the highest level,’ Russ explained, ‘so I don’t think the police, or CPS, were in any way dismissive of Lauren’s rights. In fact, I got the impression when our lawyer rang with the news that one of the reasons they decided to drop the charges was actually to protect Lauren.’
Emma frowned as she looked at him.
‘I don’t know the detail,’ he continued, ‘and I’m not asking for it. All I can tell you is that wh
en my lawyer reminded the senior prosecutor, here in Bristol, of where Lauren had been prior to the accident, that seemed to put a different complexion on matters. It was felt, it seemed, that you wouldn’t want that information to become public.’
Emma could feel the fire in her cheeks as she lowered her eyes.
‘I only mention it to try and help you realise that your interests were given careful consideration before a decision was arrived at.’
‘And you personally weren’t told anything about where she’d been?’
He shook his head. ‘All I know is that it apparently has no legal bearing on the case, but it was deemed important enough to be given some weight when they were deliberating whether or not to press on with the charges.’
Emma sat back in her chair, feeling shaken and disoriented. She was no longer sure what she’d expected before coming here – possibly to be thanked for her treatment of Oliver, or maybe to be asked to persuade Oliver to give up his mission and get on with his life. It certainly wasn’t to find out that there was to be no prosecution for the offence against Lauren – and learning that her liaison with Philip Leesom had played a part in robbing her of that right was making Emma feel sick and murderous towards him all over again.
However, that wasn’t how the Crown Prosecution Service was seeing it. They were dropping the case in order to protect Lauren from the scandal of her own behaviour. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. If the blood sample hadn’t been mislaid and the special reasons weren’t so compelling, they’d never have considered Lauren’s sensibilities for a moment. So what was she supposed to make of this? Should she be feeling angry, outraged, relieved, betrayed? She felt all of those things and more, she just couldn’t be sure what the more was – apart from increasingly concerned about how Will was going to take it when he found out.
Given the way he’d turned his back on Lauren over the last two months, Emma was finding it hard to accept that he even needed to be told. He had no right to play Lauren’s defender now, and even if he did, what possible good could he do with his empty threats and puerile temper? She could easily imagine him screaming from the moral high ground that he was going to sue the Lomax family out of existence, or the police, or the Crown Prosecution Service, and no doubt he’d throw Philip Leesom in for good measure. He’d make a total fool of himself, as he always did in these situations, and at the end of it nothing would have changed and he probably wouldn’t even have been to see Lauren.