She looked up, and he caught a breath. She was wearing a white floaty summer dress, and white sandals with a small heel, her blonde hair held back with a clip.
She looked desperately worried, and when she saw him, she started to cry. He smiled and opened his arms to her, pulling her in for a hug, stroking her head.
“Whoa, hey…it’s okay.”
She pulled away and looked up at him. “I’ve been going out of my mind all day. How did it go? Did you get it? Oh God, don’t tell me if you didn’t, I couldn’t bear it. No tell me…no don’t…”
He laughed. “Kate. Take a deep breath and listen closely, alright?”
She nodded and did as he said, beginning to calm down. “Okay…shoot.”
“Well…they instantly didn’t like me. It was a hard slog. There were three, a scary old man, a young man, and a woman. So it didn’t bode well. The woman…well, she had me down as a wife murdering maniac, I think. And the young man…I had to call him sir, and he was…perhaps half my age, at least. Okay, I’m probably exaggerating, but anyway…it was humiliating, but I was prepared to humiliate myself, whatever it took. They just stared at me the whole time, and their faces gave nothing away, I mean nothing. I was shaking, Kate, I couldn’t control it. It just sunk in as I was talking, how much I wanted it, how important it was and I was scared. I decided just to be honest. Not to grovel, not to lie or just say what I thought they wanted to hear. I gave them the truth, warts and all. They had me and Mr Marriot wait in this room for…God, forever. And then they called me in…and told me…that I have been granted parole.”
Her face broke into a huge smile as that sank in. “Really? So you’re…”
He nodded excitedly. “I’m a free man. Well, almost. Could take up to a week for it all to be official, but…it’s gonna happen. I have to see a parole officer once a week for six months, and if I offend in the next two years, I’ll be brought straight back, probably to finish my sentence, but…it’s real. I’m getting out. Soon, very soon.”
She squealed in delight and he picked her up, spinning her around. “Oh…Danny! I’m so happy for you! How do you feel, you feel good?”
“I’m still in shock I think, but it’s sinking in, slowly.”
“Oh, blimey, I think my legs are going to jelly!”
He took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Here, sit down.”
They sat back and he put his arm over her shoulders. She let out a deep contented sigh.
“I missed you, Danny. I missed you a lot.”
“I missed you too.”
“How’ve you been? Really?”
He thought and nodded. “Not bad. Good days, and not so good days, but…I feel better now. I still need antidepressants, and sometimes a kick up the bum when I get down, but…I’m getting there. I feel really good now. Of course I also feel-”
“Nervous?”
“I was going for terrified, actually. Do your friends know about me? Aren’t you worried what people are gonna say, when I rock up?”
“My best friends…Frank and Jo…they run the local pub and yes, they know about you. I told them after I told Holly. And they trust my judgement. They’re looking forward to meeting you, and they’re over the moon for Holly. Their son, Tom, is one of Holly’s best friends, in her band. We’re kinda like family. You can rest easy round them, they won’t judge you. I don’t really have anything to do with my neighbours; it’s a big house in big grounds, so I don’t really see them to be honest. You’ll be coming home to a happy bubble, just the three of us, and our close friends.”
“Home..?”
She smiled. “Yeah. Home. Wish I could take you with me now.”
“That makes two of us. But it won’t be long, although it might feel like it.” He sat forward. “Do you think Holly’s ready? It’s a big thing for me, but it’s huge for her.”
“She’s ready, Danny. She’s a strong girl, and she can handle it. You need to prepare yourself though, because she’s hyper at the best of times, so she’s gonna go way over the top when she sees you. I can’t wait to tell her you’re getting out.”
“I was thinking…maybe we don’t tell her. Maybe we surprise her. Has she been waiting like you for news?”
“She has, she was a rock this morning, but she went away at lunchtime, she’s off on a camping thing in Scotland with her mates for a few days. She warned me she might not get a signal on her phone though, so if I can’t get hold of her I’m not to worry. We might get away with it, if you get out before she gets back.” She squealed again and clapped her hands together excitedly. “Ooh, this is gonna be a fab surprise! She’s gonna flip! I want you to call me, the minute you know you’re coming out, day and time, and I’ll be here to pick you up, alright?”
“I will.” He looked around the room and grinned. “There’s no CCTV in here.”
She grinned too. “So there isn’t. What’s your point, Mr Edwards?”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “Give me a kiss please; I’ve had a very stressful day.” They kissed tenderly and he sighed. “Listen…I’m messed up. You know that, right?”
She looked up at him, resting her chin on his chest and frowned. “What’re you talking about?”
He shuffled uncomfortably. “I’m just pre-warning you. I am one messed up individual, with a lot of flaws. This aint gonna be easy, none of it. I don’t know how I’m gonna feel being on the outside, it’ll take time. I don’t know how to even start being the kind of man you deserve…”
She rolled her eyes, unimpressed with him putting himself down. “Shut up, Mr Edwards…”
“I mean it, Kate. This is all just…so overwhelming. I’ll do my best by you, is all. And I won’t let you down, I promise. I learnt from my mistakes, in the hardest possible way. I just…needed you to know that. I’m not a good man, but you…you make me feel like I could be. You make me wanna try and I will try.”
She sighed and planted a swift kiss on his cheek, loving the way his stubble scratched her lips
(I could get used to that feeling)
and sighed happily. “You’ll be okay. I’ll be with you every step. We’ll make a wonderful family.”
He grinned at that and shook his head. “Wow, a family. Wonder when all of this is gonna sink in. Probably when they open those gates, and I’m the other side I reckon.”
“Well…it won’t be long. I’m gonna go, I’ve got a week or less to figure out what I’m gonna wear when you get out.”
“Ah yes, because the first thing I wanna do is take you out for a meal. A nice, fancy meal. I have an idea. Let’s not see each other for the first time out of prison…outside the prison. Why don’t we meet in town somewhere? By the clock tower, if it’s still there. I’ll let you know the day, and we’ll meet there at midday, how’s that?”
“Well…alright. If you’re sure, seems like I should be here for you.”
“I’d prefer us to start as we mean to go on, as far away from here as we can.”
She nodded her understanding. “Okay, I get that.” She got up and went to the door, thought for a minute and turned back to him. “This lunch…how posh are we talking?”
He thought for a minute. “Ooh, has to be somewhere pretty special. I’ll let you decide, money no object, though you’ll have to send me some in here, so I have it for when I get out, if you’re gonna dress up, I’m gonna have to sort myself out as well.” He ran a hand through his hair. “New haircut, new clothes, suited and booted, and dressed to impress and all that…”
She laughed. “No problem. It’s in a separate account, so I’ll send the card to you, with the pin, and you can withdraw whatever you like, it’s your money, Danny.”
He shook his head. “It’s our money. That’s how I want it. It belongs to the three of us, okay?”
She frowned, not entirely comfortable with that. “Mmm, we’ll see. Anyway, I’m going. You sit tight and…I dunno, stay out of trouble, okay? Try not to stare at anyone.”
He threw
his head back and laughed. “Babe, I am staying in my cell as far away from everyone as I can, keeping my head well and truly down, until I can get the hell out of here.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be seeing you then.”
“Hang on, missus.” He tapped his cheek. “Kiss?”
She rolled her eyes jokingly and went back to kiss his cheek. “See ya soon Mr Edwards.”
Chapter Fifteen
WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE 2008
Kate stood apprehensively by the clock tower waiting for him, and smoking her third cigarette, wondering if she looked alright.
Normally, she had Holly’s opinion to rely on, but of course, she was still away.
She had tried on everything she owned last night, and this morning had eventually settled on a deep blue halter neck summer dress, and her black sandals with what Holly called the pretty heels. She had her hair, still short but growing, up in a ponytail, and her sunglasses on, shielding her eyes from the glorious sunshine of a blissful summer day. She hoped she looked okay.
She glanced at her watch – ten past – and was just beginning to worry, when
“Kate…”
She turned to the sound of his voice and smiled as her heart skipped a beat.
(Holy fuck)
He was wearing a black suit with a deep blue shirt, the same shade as her dress, and sunglasses. His dark, naturally wavy hair had been cut, shorter at the sides and longer on the top, he was clean shaven, and she thought he looked absolutely gorgeous. In his hand he had a bunch of roses, and he was smiling back. There were a few people in the park, wandering past, and Kate noticed most of the women eyeing him up, checking him out. It wasn’t surprising, he looked like pure heaven in a suit. She had a fleeting realisation that she was going to have to get used to that, and hope that no one more feisty or glamorous turned his eye. What a man like this was doing with her, she didn’t know. Out here he seemed different, out here he was too good for her, and she could tell the women passing by were thinking the same.
He took his sunglasses off and walked to her, squinting in the sunlight. “Hello, Kate Marshall.”
“Hello, Danny Edwards.”
“Apologies for being late, these are for you.”
She took the roses from him, grinning like a lovesick teenager, feeling ridiculously nervous. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful. You look stunning, Kate.”
“You’re looking pretty fine yourself.”
“We match, huh?”
“We certainly do.” She sighed. “It’s so surreal, but wonderful, to see you…you know, out here.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Look at me, I’m shaking!” he held out his hand, palm down and she saw he was indeed trembling. “I was so nervous, knowing I was coming to meet you, and just…stepping out the gate. I feel like I must be dreaming or something.”
She wrapped his hand in her own, squeezing it briefly. “I’m nervous too. We’ve known each other so long now, but it feels different out here.”
“Good different, or bad different?” he asked hopefully, taking both her hands in his own.
“Wonderful different. You look so…well, Danny. What time did they release you?”
“Eight. I went straight in to town in a taxi, went to one of those posh shops on the high street. I told ‘em I was meeting a beautiful woman for lunch, and they kitted me out. New suit, shoes and new haircut. Cost me a fortune.”
“Worth it, for sure. You just look…wow.”
He grinned. “I’ve still got it, Kate. I might be an old sod now, but I can still look good in a suit.”
“Yeah you do…” she said with a grin.
He put his hands on her face and kissed her, and they fell into a natural hug. He lifted her off the ground and set her down again, kissing her neck.
She laughed again. “Ooh, a Danny cuddle!”
“Better get used to ‘em. Loads more where that came from, an endless supply.”
“Ahh, I think this is the best day of my life.”
He nodded. “Mine too. Right, so…where are we off for lunch then?”
“I have found the perfect place. It’s by no means super posh, but it’s quiet and intimate and it’ll give us a chance to talk.”
“Sounds perfect. Well, if you’d like to lead the way, I am starving. I need some proper food in me.”
He offered her his arm and she linked hers with it as they began to walk.
* * * *
They sat at a table in the corner, and she watched him closely while he looked up and down the menu, obviously struggling to decide. The waiter stood patiently, and eventually Danny looked up.
“Right. I’ll have the tomato soup to start, followed by the steak and ale pie and chips, an extra portion of chips, and a portion of onion rings…and um…for dessert I will have…the chocolate sundae with extra nuts, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, with a Flake on top.” Kate grinned and he smiled back. “What? I’m hungry.”
She shook her head. “Clearly. I’ll have the same.”
He looked at her, surprised. “I’m impressed.”
“And to drink, would you like to see the wine list, sir?”
“Tell you what; just bring us a bottle of your finest.” Danny said.
“Certainly, sir.”
“Thank you.” He looked at Kate, still beaming. “I can’t tell you how long it’s been since someone called me sir. Since someone actually spoke to me like a proper human being, present company excepted.” The waiter brought the wine, cracked it open and poured them both a glass, leaving them to it. “To the future. May it be a vast improvement on the past.”
She clinked glasses with him. “I’ll drink to that. To the first day of your new life.”
“Cheers.”
They drank the wine down, and she watched as he poured them both another glass. “How does it feel to be out? Must be quite a shock to the system.”
He took her hands in his own across the table and nodded. “Yeah. I don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet though, feels a bit dream like. I’m a bag of nerves, mostly about Holly. It’s important she likes me.”
“And she will.”
“She aint met me yet. Aside from the nerves…yeah, I feel good. Like I left the old Danny, the one with all the issues, back there and now…all I want to do is be settled and happy with my girls. I aint too old for a fresh start, I’m lucky in that respect. Time was…I thought I was gonna die in there, alone, sad. Now…what have I got to be miserable about?”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Nothing, I’m gonna help you turn your life around. And you’re gonna be happy, I’ll make sure of it.”
“Reckon you’re in for a shock, when you get to know the other side of me. You aint seen happy, crazy Danny before. I may have aged, but I doubt I’ve grown up any. Your feet won’t touch the ground.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really? Sounds like you are just what I need.”
“It might take me a bit of time…to properly adjust. So if you see me…I don’t know, deep in thought, or a bit quiet or out of sorts…don’t assume I aint happy with you. It’s just…a big step, massive. I might make mistakes, or get overwhelmed, I don’t know this new world like you do, don’t know nothing about it. I mean, what the heck is a plasma screen? Or…or…a DVT player?”
She giggled. “It’s a DVD player, babe.”
He grinned. “You see? And since when can you take photos on a phone?”
“Oh, you can do more than that, babe. You can do videos, send emails, go on the internet…” she looked at his expression. “You don’t know about the internet?”
“Oh, I know of it…but don’t ask me what the hell you do with it. So no one plays cassettes no more, no one watches videos no more…and everyone carries a mobile phone around with them. Is anything the same as it was?”
“Some things, I guess…oh, you can’t smoke in public enclosed spaces anymore.”
He looked at her, wide-eyed. “What, not even
in your local pub?”
She shook her head. “Nope…we are virtual lepers now, babes. Luckily Frank has built a little shelter at the back of our local, so we don’t get soaked when we go out for a ciggie.”
Danny shook his head. “I just can’t believe that. Seems I have a lot to learn about this new world, huh?”
Kate nodded. “I guess so. Stuff we don’t even think about, you’ll find strange. But we’re here for you, all the way through, okay?”
He nodded, smiling. “Okay. Thank you.”
She took her mobile phone from her bag, and looked through it while he watched, in awe. A guy he had known in the boxing world had once tried to sell him a portable phone as he had described it, and it had been a huge boxy contraption, not dissimilar to a brick, but Kate’s modern version was slim-line and light, technology had certainly moved on. She turned the screen to him.
“Here, this is Holly last weekend, we had an impromptu barbeque in the garden, and she got all her band mates over. See, that’s her at the back holding up the pint of Guinness.”
Danny looked at the picture and exhaled. “Christ, she looks so much like Natalie. It’s just incredible.” He frowned. “Sorry, that was an inappropriate thing to say…”
Kate rolled her eyes dismissively. “Don’t be daft. She was her mother; she’s bound to look like her. It’s not a bad thing.”
Danny glanced at the picture and shook his head. “She’s amazing, aint she? Looks like the life and soul too.”
Kate nodded her agreement. “Yeah, that’s her. She’s very positive, very naturally happy. Slightly nuts some might say. We need to get you one of these; you’re probably the last person on the planet to own one.”
He nodded. “Mmm maybe, although I wouldn’t have the first idea of how to use it…”
“Holly will teach you, she taught me, I was a technophobe too.” He laughed a little and she frowned. “What?”
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