She was still tired from labour but she’d had a doze and though her body ached and she winced when she moved, she couldn’t feel bad. All she had to do was look at her daughter and she knew it had all been worth it, the pain and the months of swollen ankles, morning sickness and exhaustion.
There was a light rap at the door, and Aurora looked up at Serena Patterson poked her head around the frame. She smiled when she saw Aurora awake and sitting up, and stepped into the room. She had changed out of the suit she had worn to court, and wore jeans and a faded t-shirt, her hair tied back, looking casual. Aurora smiled back at her as Serena approached, smiling adoringly down at Angel.
“Congratulations,” she offered, “She’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks, we’ve named her Angel,” Aurora told her.
“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” Serena said. She glanced at Clint, who was looking down at his phone, and turned her attention to Aurora. “How are you feeling now?”
“I’m fine,” Aurora said, with a glance at Clint. “We called my mum earlier, she can’t wait to meet her granddaughter.” She wanted to add that she wished her sister was here to meet her niece, but she daren’t say it in front of Clint. She knew it would only serve to make him feel bad, and he was doing what he could to put things right, as worried as he might be about going to court. Still, his constant talk of Kojo coming to meet his niece grated on her. He didn’t seem to understand that it hurt her all the more, knowing Kojo could see Angel anytime, whereas Shaniqua would never meet her.
Clint shifted in his chair and then stood up, phone clutched in his hand.
“I’ll leave you ladies to it,” he said, and Aurora wondered if he had sensed that she had things to say that he wouldn’t want to hear. He lifted his phone, “I’m going to try Kojo again, see if he picks up this time.” He gave them both a smile, blew Angel a kiss, and left the hospital room, his trainers squeaking on the floor as he went.
Serena was quiet, and Aurora wondered if she too knew that there was something else she wanted to say. She took a deep breath.
“I just wish Shan was here to meet her,” she admitted. “It’s stupid, I know, but it’s not the same without her here. I never really thought about it whilst I was pregnant, but now that Angel’s here, I just wish that Shan was too.”
Serena sat down in the chair Clint had vacated, and nodded in understanding.
“I was the same when my son was born,” she said, her voice quiet. “Me and my brother were never that close, not really. Perhaps when we were kids, but then we went down different paths. I missed him when Nathan was born though.”
“Your brother –” Aurora murmured, then trailed off. She remembered from the courtroom that Khan had questioned whether he had affected her judgement in the case. She blushed, unsure what to say.
“He died,” Serena nodded, with a reflective look. “It was hard, but life goes on. You’ll never forget Shaniqua, but as times passes it will get easier. The pain fades, but your memories of her won’t.”
Aurora looked at the detective and saw the softer side beneath the hard officer she had always pictured her to be. She felt comforted by her words, though she knew she was far from moving on, and that the pain was still deeply ingrained within her. She hoped for it to pass, and maybe it would after the trial.
“I don’t know what to do now,” Aurora said softly, voicing another concern she had been holding inside, unwilling to confide in Clint about it. Serena’s brow furrowed as she listened. Aurora hesitated. “It’s just, I’m happy I’m a mum now, and I wouldn’t change it, of course I wouldn’t, but – it’s just that – I don’t want to be like Zoe, just a mum. I want a career, I want to achieve something more.”
“You haven’t spoken to Clint about it?” Serena asked, as if reading her mind.
“No,” Aurora shook her head. “I mean, I will do, but I don’t want him to think that I don’t want to be a mum. I do. I want to be something more than just a mother though.”
Serena nodded.
“I know exactly how you feel,” Serena said. “I always knew I wanted to be a detective, and when I got pregnant people told me I’d have to choose between the two. I proved them wrong. I’m a mother, and I’m a detective sergeant.”
Aurora admired the woman sat beside her and wondered if she could be the same.
“Have you ever considered joining the police force?” Serena asked, surprising Aurora. She had never really thought of it as an option before. Serena smiled knowingly. “You don’t have to have dreamt of becoming a police officer since childhood to get into the force, but it’s a good job, and you’re a smart girl. I think you’d do well.”
“I don’t know –” Aurora said, wondering what Clint would say if she told him she was joining the police. “I don’t think I’d be very good at it, you know.”
“It’s just something to consider,” Serena smiled. “You strike me as the type of girl who can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
Aurora smiled, trying to picture herself in a police uniform, Angel cradled in one arm, a badge in the other hand. It was an amusing thought.
“Anyway, I’ll let you get some rest,” Serena said, lifting herself out of the chair. “I just wanted to come and see how you were doing.”
“Thanks for everything today,” Aurora said. “For calling the ambulance, and for going into court. I can’t thank you enough.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” Serena said, smiling at Angel and heading for the door. She paused with her hand on the frame, and turned back to Aurora. “Just think about what I said. I think you’d make a good police officer.”
Aurora smiled as Serena left the room. She looked down at Angel, still fast asleep, and couldn’t quite bring herself to belief she could join the police force.
* * *
His phone rang again, but Kojo silenced the call. He saw Clint’s name flashing up on the screen for a few more seconds and then the screen went dark. He felt bad for not answering, but he knew what his brother would say. The baby had been born, which was great, but Kojo didn’t need to go and see the girl, he already knew what a baby looked like. Besides, Kojo was sure that Clint was just trying to get him to come to the hospital on the pretense of seeing his new niece. Once he was there Clint would no doubt start lecturing him again about who he couldn’t hang around with and that he still had to come back to Manchester with him, Aurora and the baby when the trial was over.
Hell no, Kojo thought. He wasn’t going back there and he had no intention of pushing aside his mates again, not for his brother, not for anybody. Kent passed him a can and Kojo cracked it open. This was his second, and Kent had a whole crate beside his bed, so the four of them could get pissed before they went off to some party that Kent had been invited to.
His phone flashed again, and Kojo groaned and silenced it again. Kent leaned over, ignoring Mickey and Leon’s guffaws as they rolled a joint, and nudged Kojo.
“You sure you’re all right mate?” he asked.
Kojo nodded, shoving his phone back into his pocket.
“Yeah, just my brother,” Kojo sighed.
“The snitch?” Leon asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re well shot of him.”
“Ain’t that right,” Mickey nodded beside him, then cursing as his finger slipped and tore the skin he was using to make the joint. “Shit, man,” he groaned.
Kent seemed indifferent and swigged from his can, and Kojo wondered if he was making a mistake. Should he be at the hospital welcoming his baby niece into the world? He wanted to, but he couldn’t face Clint.
He had always looked up to his older brother, always respected him and enjoyed his company, gone to him when he had a problem or when their dad had got drunk, but now things had changed. Moving to Manchester had changed Kojo’s opinion of Clint and he couldn’t bear to be around him at the moment.
Earlier he had packed up his suitcase and left Aurora’s flat, and he didn’t intend to go back. His mum had been delighted when h
e had turned up at the front door, wanting to move back in. His dad had shrugged with indifference, but that was just the way he was. He didn’t want to have to tell Clint he was gone, and he didn’t want to face the lecture he was certain would follow.
“Drink up man,” Kent said, nodding towards Kojo’s can. Kojo grinned and took a long drink, burping as he lowered the rim from his lips.
“You want to try a joint?” Mickey asked, as he lit the joint he’d finished.
Kojo hesitated. Having a few drinks was one thing, but doing drugs was another entirely. Then again he was sure Clint had smoked weed, amongst other things, and Kojo nodded, reaching for the joint. He put it to his lips and inhaled, holding the smoke in his mouth, then expelling it. He coughed, but the others seemed impressed and Leon nodded in approval.
“Let’s get this party started then,” Kent said, turning up the volume on his laptop. Leon and Mickey cheered, and Kojo joined in. He downed the rest of his can and grabbed another from the box, determined to forget about Clint and the baby.
* * *
The sun was sinking beneath the tall hospital buildings surrounding the car park as Clint cursed and shut off his phone, frustrated that Kojo was still not answering his calls. He wondered if his brother was out, or if he was in trouble, or just still in a mood with him. He would be having words with him when they got back to Marlena’s flat, he decided, to make sure Kojo knew he was pushing his luck.
He turned to go back inside when Serena Patterson came through the sliding doors and caught sight of him. She strolled purposefully towards him and smiled, hands in the pockets of her jeans as she stopped.
“How are you doing?” she asked, smiling at him. “And congratulations, you have a beautiful daughter.”
Clint blushed.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’m okay. Just trying to get hold of my brother, but his phone must have run out of battery.”
He thought Serena could see through the lie, but she didn’t say anything. They were silent for a moment, the beep of car horns and traffic filling the void.
“So you’re in court later this week?” Serena asked, eyeing him with a look that made Clint feel nervous. He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets, hardly able to look her straight in the eye, fearing she would see how scared he was about giving his evidence. Serena sighed. “You know, Clint, there’s no shame in being nervous. I’ve seen detectives who’ve had to give evidence hundreds of times before get shit scared before they go into a courtroom. It’s natural.”
Clint looked at her and knew she was telling the truth.
“You gave evidence today,” Clint said, remembering what Aurora had told him in the hours after Angel had been born. It had dashed his delight, her words only serving to remind him how much he was putting at stake by taking the stand. He didn’t just have Kojo and Aurora to protect now, but his daughter, and it had made him further question whether he was doing the right thing. He cleared his throat. “Aurora said you were really good up there.”
“I was nervous as hell before though,” Serena admitted. “But you know what? Once I was on that stand, I knew I was doing the right thing. Once it was over, I felt good.”
“Really?” Clint asked. He couldn’t even imagine taking his oath, let alone picture when it was all over. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.
“Because telling the truth makes us feel better,” Serena said with a shrug, as if she couldn’t see his discomfort. “And just remember, its half an hour, maybe an hour, of your life. Surely it’s better to do the right thing for that amount of time, rather than suffer a lifetime of regret for not doing it?”
Clint considered her words and knew that she was right. Perhaps it would not be so bad, he thought, but then the memory of the Banks brothers kicking the shit out of him resurfaced and he felt less sure.
Serena eyed him closely, and he knew she was trying to read his emotion.
“If anyone’s threatening you, let me know,” Serena said. “I’ve dealt with people like the Banks brothers before, many times.” Clint looked at her. She gave him a reassuring smile. “They might talk big, but when it comes down to it, if they’d really not wanted you to take the stand, you wouldn’t be here.”
Clint thought about it. It was true, if Tyrese was so determined to get Troy off the charges, he would have done more than give him a bit of a kicking. Clint had seen the Banks brothers do more damage for far less serious matters.
“Take care Clint,” Serena said. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You have a wonderful girlfriend and a lovely daughter now. You take care of them.”
Clint nodded and gave her a smile. Serena walked off across the car park, and Clint watched her go for a moment, wondering how she had made him feel better in such a short space of time. He walked back through the sliding doors and along the corridors towards the maternity unit, feeling confident that going to court was the right thing to do. Serena was right. An hour in court was far less painful than a lifetime of regret and wishing he had done the right thing.
* * *
Amal could not stop thinking about Shontelle. Perhaps she had got under his skin, or maybe it was just the thought that Naz had gone out to see her that made his insides clench with jealousy.
There was a knock on the front door and he dropped his phone onto the sofa beside him to answer. He did a double-take when he saw Detective Patterson looking at him, shoulders squared as if for a fight.
His muscles tensed, a flicker of panic racing through him. He had survived prison, but he had no intention of ever returning to a cell again.
“What do you want?” he demanded. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Patterson looked him right in the eye. He remembered the look on her face as she had questioned him about Troy, all those months ago when he had been arrested. This was one cold, hard bitch, he thought.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” she said, not reacting to his tone or words. “You’re due to give evidence tomorrow. I want to make sure you turn up.”
Amal narrowed his eyes. He had no intention of going, and nothing she could say would change his mind. Not out of any loyalty to Troy, he just wasn’t a snitch.
“Fuck off,” Amal said. He took a step back and went to close the door, but Patterson threw her arm out and held the door open. She was strong, he realized.
“You know you can be arrested for not turning up when summoned?” Patterson asked him. Amal swallowed hard, but he kept his cool, shrugging. “That doesn’t scare you?” she pressed him. “The thought of going back inside?”
“No, I’m not scared,” Amal snapped. “Not of you, not of anyone.”
“Are you scared of the Banks brothers?” she asked.
Amal laughed, shaking his head.
“Nah, like I said, I’m not.”
Patterson opened her mouth to respond, when her eyes flickered behind Amal. Amal turned as his mother approached the doorway, fixing her hijab, her face scowling.
“You leave my son alone,” she said, squaring up to Patterson. “He’s turned over a new leaf, he doesn’t want any trouble from the police. Get away from here, woman.”
“Mrs Siddiqui, I’m here because -” Patterson started, but she was cut off at once.
“I don’t care who you are,” Amal’s mother hissed. “Leave my son alone.”
She ushered Amal back into the house, and before Patterson could say anything else she had thrown the door shut in her face. Amal could not help but smile.
“Make sure you stay out of trouble,” his mother snapped, pointing a finger at him, her anger turning towards him. “I don’t want the police turning up again. Is that clear?”
Amal nodded, looking down at the floor. His mother went back into the kitchen, and he snatched up his phone from the sofa.
Though he was pleased Patterson was gone, her words lingered. He tried to distract himself online and glared at a picture that Naz had tagged himself in, of him and Shontelle. Naz’s arm was drape
d around her shoulders, a big grin on his face. Amal resisted the urge to throw his phone against the wall.
Closing his eyes, he wondered if Patterson was telling the truth, if he could end up back inside if he failed to show up tomorrow, trying not to feel the fear that now crept over him.
* * *
Tamar slipped out of his flat, glancing around as he did to make sure the path was clear and that Patterson was not lurking in the shadows for him. Amal had tipped him off, and he had made a quick getaway.
He wondered if Amal was considering turning up. Tamar knew that no detective could have persuaded him to turn up. He did not want another beating from the Banks brothers, and besides, Shaniqua Curtis was nothing to him. He had never met the girl before her death, so why would he care if Troy got sent down for killing her?
He was not going to risk his own neck for a dead girl’s justice.
His phone vibrated, and Tamar read the reply from Zoe. She was at home, and she wanted him to join her. Tamar smiled, shooting off a reply, as he set off to hers, his eyes alert for any sight of Patterson.
* * *
Serena knocked on the door to Tamar Ahmed’s flat and groaned inwardly. She should have known that Amal would text his mate, warn him that she was in the area. Either that or he was out on the piss, she thought.
She knocked one last time, and a curtain twitched in the flat next door. Giving up, Serena retreated down the steps to the concrete courtyard, looking around at the blocks that she had once called home too.
It had been a long time ago, but as hard as she had tried she could not forget it. She shivered despite the warm air, and left the Goldsworth, cutting across the playing fields. A group of kids laughed on one of the slopes, not giving her a second glance.
She had tried to help the case, she thought, for all the good it had probably done. Some people just did not care about justice, about right and wrong. She could never understand it, but she knew all too well about it.
The Goldsworth Series Box Set Page 99