by Dawson, H A
‘So Luke’s coming around?’ Kath asked.
‘Yes. I wish he wasn’t. I could do without all the questions. I’ve enough going on.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘I have to take it easy and not put any strain on my neck, but that aside, I feel good.’
Kath sat on the sofa. ‘I’m glad.’
‘Did William tell you what happened?’
‘He did. It sounded awful. You were very lucky.’
‘I’d say I was unlucky. Someone wanted me dead!’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure.’ Jade paused, analysing her body language. Kath was definitely uncomfortable, convincing Jade she knew more about the accident that she let on. It seemed an opportune moment to find out.
The comment in the get-well card seemed an appropriate place to start. ‘Would you say I’m a coward and a liar?’
‘What?’
‘Just answer the question.’
‘I . . . where’s this leading?’
Jade’s stare was unrelenting.
‘We can all be a bit that way, can't we ?’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You’ve lied,’ Kath said, ‘we all have at some point.’
‘Is that what you think?’
Kath stared.
‘If I have it wasn’t deliberate.’
‘Really?’ There was irritation in her tone. ‘I suppose you're at a disadvantage.’
‘What?’
‘The amnesia.’
The doorbell sounded. Jade glanced at the doorway, irritated by the intrusion. ‘What have I meant to have done?’
‘Put it this way. It’d be better for everyone if you got your memories back.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
She did not respond.
‘Well?’
The bell sounded again. Kath stood up, weaved around Jade, and strode to the door. She welcomed Luke and Imogen inside, and they greeted her before sitting down. Jade said the minimum and folded her arms as Kath’s comments continued to rattle.
Her sister knew something and it wasn’t just about encouraging their mother’s suicide. Yet, she obviously did not intend to speak out and wanted her to suffer in the worst possible way. Even Imogen had been taken in by her act. It was obvious from their amicable banter.
Needing to gain an element of control, Jade pulled the get-well card from her bag and thrust it into Luke’s palm. ‘I received this.’ She glared at Kath. ‘One of the nurses gave it to me.’
The car was passed around, finally landing with her sister. She opened it up and her jaw dropped, her shock visible.
‘Did you send it?’ Jade asked.
‘How could you think that?’
‘You just admitted I was a coward and a liar.’
Kath glimpsed to Imogen. ‘That’s not what I said.’
‘I heard it for myself.’
She shook her head, refusing to be drawn.
‘Do you know anything about this card?’ Luke asked.
‘No I don’t. Check my handwriting.’ She presented them with a notebook from her handbag.
It was obvious from Luke’s blank expression that there was no similarity, and since Jade did not intend to humiliate herself further, she did not look. Kath was gleeful.
‘Any ideas what the message “is death the end” means?’ he asked.
Jade shook her head, folded her arms and slumped into the chair.
‘Kath?’
‘Not a clue.’
‘Could it be to do with the fire or your mother?’
‘Unlikely,’ Kath said, ‘everyone died bar us.’
‘For certain.’
‘Yes. For certain. We had to identify Brian and John.’
Kath had won them other. It was very frustrating and Jade’s tensions deepened. Needing to escape, she offered everyone a drink and disappeared to the kitchen, yet it proved to be unbeneficial. Kath and Imogen chatted as though they were long lost friends, increasing her tension. Feeling like the outsider, the accused, Jade slipped upstairs to William.
‘I think Kath is the stalker,’ she said.
‘Okay.’
‘She’s hiding something. She said as much, but then she denied it. I think she sent that card.’
‘If she’s guilty, Luke will work it out.’
‘I don’t think they will. They love her!’
William frowned. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Can you tell them all to leave? We can talk to Kath on our own.’
‘It’s better this happens now.’
Dismayed by him ignoring her request, Jade stomped away, and headed onto the top of the stairs. He never believed her, and never assisted her when she most needed it. Joe would have acted differently.
Wondering if she should ring him, she pulled her phone from her jeans pocket. She had received a message from Joe and he wanted to meet. She sent him a positive reply and trotted downstairs, a smile brightening her face.
‘Sorry about that,’ she said, handing out the drinks.
‘Jade,’ Luke said, ‘I’d like you to go through the forty-eight hours before the accident. What you did, who you spoke to, and so on.’
‘I was at home. I don’t remember speaking to anyone other than William and Kelsey.’
‘Did you go to the tennis club?’
‘No.’
‘What about the shops?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘What were you doing over at Ramshill Lane?’
‘I’d been out for a drive, that’s all. I popped into a shop for some snacks.’ Jade glimpsed at Kath, irritated by her unreadable expression. ‘It was a lovely afternoon, rather like today, and I sat on a bench. I did speak to someone for a while, one of the locals. I doubt it was important.’
‘Who was it?’
‘His name is Dylan. He looks fifteen or so.’
‘What did you talk about?
Wondering as to the strange question her eyes jumped between them. ‘I’ve taken a shining to him. He’s a lovely lad and he’s having it tough. He has family troubles. His mother, in particular, seems to be doing everything she can to destroy his confidence.’
‘How long have you known him?’
‘I’ve only spoken to him once before - a couple of weeks ago. He seems very smart yet I doubt he gets any recognition for it. He even talked about working for MI5.’
‘Doing what?’
‘A hacker of all things.’ Jade chuckled. ‘He could do your job for you.’
Luke didn’t show any amusement and scribbled something in his notepad.
‘He has a little dog and walks her a lot. He was beaten up just recently, defending a girl. She showed no appreciation. It upset him but he blamed his mother. Apparently she goes out of her way to humiliate him.’
‘What’s his relationship with his father like?
‘Not much better. He doesn’t talk about him a lot, but has said he lies to him. I don’t know what about or why. I wasn’t sure if I should get involved.’
Luke rotated his pencil.
‘I wish I could do something to help him.’
‘What would you do?’
‘I’d go around to his house and give his mother a once over. He deserves better. He’s very upset. He was even questioning if she’s related to him. He sounded very down about it.’
‘Did he sound suicidal?’
‘Suicidal? I don’t think so.’
‘Suicide is not the answer,’ Kath said, ‘and he wouldn’t do that.’
Jade spun to face her. ‘That’s a bit rich coming from you.’
‘I’ve always thought that.’
‘Really? So why did you help Mum?’
Kath clenched her hands and stared.
‘Well?’
‘I don’t have to answer to you.’
She dashed away, running out of the house. Jade was baffled by her sudden escape, and hurried to the outer door.
When she turned to face Luke and Imogen, they were whispering.
Luke caught her eye. ‘Don't you know who Dylan’s parent’s are?’
‘No, like I said, I’ve only just met him.’
‘Joe and Dawn Dobbs.’
‘He’s their son?’
Luke nodded.
‘That can’t be right. How old is he?’
‘Sixteen I think. I understand you once had a relationship with Joe.’
‘It was a long time ago.’ She perched on the edge of the armchair. ‘We had a casual relationship. He was seeing her at the same time.’
‘Did you know Dawn when she was pregnant?’
‘No, but she was always a big woman. She’d have hidden it very well.’
‘Wouldn’t Joe have said something?’
‘Maybe not.’ She strode to the wall and stared at a photo of Kelsey. ‘I was pregnant.’
‘With your daughter?’
‘No,’ she spun around. ‘A boy. He died. It was Joe’s.’
She ran her hands through her hair and tried to place herself back in time, trying to recall the details. It was all a bit of a muddle and her clarity was lacking. She recalled their conversations, the laughter, the drinking and the smoking, but strained to remember little more.
‘I think Dawn had said she wanted a baby,’ she said. ‘Joe too.’
Luke was showing Imogen something he had written. He turned to Jade. ‘Are you sure?’
Jade nodded. ‘I didn’t want to believe it. I was the one carrying his child, yet I could see they were getting closer. It was all a bit weird.’
‘What happened after you lost your baby?’
‘They both were very sympathetic, incredibly so, but I didn’t want to hear it. I grabbed my stuff and ran. I didn’t even say goodbye.’
‘Where did you go?’
Jade shook her head. The memories were too terrible to recall, and her desolation was at its peak and she could not formulate an answer. After their persistence she managed to tell them she had met William.
‘It must have been a tough time.’
Jade took a gulp of air. ‘It happened to be a turning point.’
‘Did you see them again?’
‘No. She rubbed her hands together. ‘I didn’t.’
‘Okay.’ Luke stood up and thrust his belongings into his bag. ‘Thanks for your time Jade. We’ll see ourselves out.’
She stared, helpless, and remained on the sofa. Her little boy would be nearly seventeen had he lived. Had he died because of the drink, the drugs, the smoking? She had been careless in her pregnancy, disregarding check ups and scans, and had avoided a hospital birth. Her reckless attitude had caused her son’s loss of life.
Dawn had not been so irresponsible, and she still had her son. It was an unfair world.
The car parks were situated between the sprawling hospital buildings. Some were for cardholders, presumably for the staff, and others were for outpatients and visitors. Luke selected a space near the barrier, making a mental note of the location, and he retrieved a pay and display ticket from the machine and returned to the car. Imogen was checking her makeup in a small handheld mirror.
‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ he asked.
‘Of course, what’s the problem?’
‘There isn’t one, so long as I don’t have to get involved.’
She grinned and shut the car door. ‘You’re such a coward.’
Striding through the car park, his heartbeat quickened and his heat rose, moistening his armpits and neck. Her plan was a bad idea, and the consequences of being caught were not something he wished to consider. But she already knew that, and had told him on numerous occasions that she had everything planned. Having acquired valuable inside information, she said she could not fail. Luke struggled to believe.
Imogen led the way, guiding them passed outpatients, accident and emergency, and the eye department, before taking a lift to gynaecology. It was airless inside, and he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar.
‘Chill,’ she said, ‘you’ll give the game away.’
‘Perhaps I’m better staying out of the way.’
‘Not a chance. I’m not having all the fun.’
The lift door opened. The corridor was empty. It provided him with a little relief.
‘Now give me two minutes,’ she said, ‘then follow me upstairs. If it’s laid out as I’ve been told, the reception will be at the end of the corridor. Stay at this end, but if you see someone coming, make a noise.’
‘Got it.’
‘And breathe,’ she whispered.
Imogen disappeared through the doors, and headed up the staircase on foot. She was wearing a tight fitting skirt and matching jacket, something she had changed into upon her arrival in the office, and carried a clipboard. She looked official. He prayed it was enough of a disguise.
There was a clock a little distance away, ticking rhythmically. He shuffled his steps, desperately trying to cling to his composure, and prayed that no one would interrupt their plan. He waited. He looked to his watch. Footsteps sounded at his rear. He glanced over his shoulder. A man wearing a white jacket hurried towards him. Luke looked away and started to perspire. The man walked past and pressed the lift button.
The lift door opened. He stepped inside and gave Luke an enquiring glance. Luke shook his head and strode away, heading for the staircase. Once out of view, he released a taut breath and glanced to his watch.
Forcing an assertive posture, he opened the double doors and entered the chosen site of their investigation. He glanced towards the desk. Imogen was at the computer extracting information. It was going to plan.
A woman darted past, heading straight for Imogen. Luke wanted to scream out, but his words failed him. She was edging closer and Imogen was vulnerable. He needed to think, and quick.
He lifted a chair and flung it to the ground. The woman turned.
‘I want my Mum!’ he screamed, trying to look gormless.
The woman hesitated. He crumpled his face, curved his body and slid to the floor.
She hurried towards him. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I want my Mum!’
‘Where is she?’
He raised his knees from the floor, pressing them to his chest, and covered his head with his arms.
‘Are you lost?’ the woman said.
He couldn’t think of a damned thing to say, and peered out his eye corner, searching for Imogen. The click-clack of her heels was a welcome relief. ‘Sorry,’ she said to the woman, ‘he’s with me.’ She crouched down and winked. ‘Come on Adrian. Let’s get you back home to your mother.’
She helped him to his feet. The woman headed away.
They held their composure until they reached the staircase, and then their laughter burst through their skin.
‘I want my Mum!’ Imogen screeched.
‘I couldn’t thing of anything else to say. I panicked.’
‘I could never be your mum.’
Luke laughed. ‘You were so close to being caught. If she’d have seen you . . .’
‘But she didn’t.’ Excitement danced in her eyes. ‘It’s better than we expected, Luke. Much better.’
‘Go on.’
Dawn had fertility problems. It was caused by the accident.’
‘Then she was very lucky to have Dylan.’
‘Indeed.’
Chapter 31
Imogen removed her jacket and switched on her computer.
There was a twinkle in her eye and a curve in her lips. ‘Hello son.’
He looked away, trying to suppress his laughter, and bit his lip. ‘Mum.’
She burst into laughter, her teeth glistening, and tears streaming down her face. She mimicked his actions of the previous day, the sinking to the floor and the crying out of his anguish, and his belly and jaw ached with unsuppressed pleasure. It took a while for their shared joy to pass.
She wiped away her tears. ‘It was so funny. That woman actually believ
ed you.’
‘Was she a bit dumb?’
‘Must be. You’re not exactly a good actor.’
‘How did you keep a straight face?’
I don’t know.’
She was off again, howling her delight. Amused, he leaned into his chair and grinned. ‘You’re make-up’s smudging.’
‘I know.’ She tried to say something more, but the words wouldn’t free. She stood up, her face red and puffy, and pointed to her middle and then to the door. Luke didn’t have a clue what she tried to say until she ran to the bathroom.
He used the time to calm his lungs. Despite the aching, he felt wonderfully cleansed.
She returned minutes later. ‘I nearly wet myself!’
He stood up, leaned forward and looked over the back of her seat.
‘Don’t, you’ll set me off again.’ She flapped her hands in front of her face and breathed slowly, in and out, in and out.
‘Are you okay now?’ he asked.
She nodded. ‘Did you tell Crystal?’
Luke shuffled in his seat. ‘No.’
‘No! Why ever not?’
‘We didn’t get the opportunity. We were busy doing other things.’
‘Yuk. Too much information.’
‘You didn’t think that yesterday.’
She headed to the drinks area to make a coffee. ‘That was different.’
Luke frowned, puzzled.
‘Want one?’ she asked
‘No thanks. Did you tell Mark about yesterday?’
She shot him a pained look ‘Why do you ask?’
‘I . . .’ he hesitated, puzzled by her obvious anxiety. ‘I just wondered.’
‘He heard about it,’ she said, her voice controlled.
‘How?’
Her phone started to ring. She grabbed it from her bag and hurried out of the office and into the next room. He didn’t intend to listen, but for some reason was drawn to the conversation.
‘No, not now,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to . . . no Mark, listen to me.’ Silence. ‘Stop it. I won’t do it.’ Another silence. ‘I will not. This has nothing to do with Luke. Leave him out of it. We’ll speak about this later.’ An extended silence. ‘I won’t talk about this now, goodbye.’
The conversation ended and an unsettling feeling rested in Luke’s stomach. It was made worse by the fact Imogen did not return swiftly to her desk. Instead, she hurried to the bathroom. It was fifteen minutes before he saw her again.