by Mel Sherratt
‘Finding it hard to after what I’ve seen.’ He shook his head as he filled Lyla in.
‘I’ll make you something. You go and shower.’
He watched her walking back across the kitchen, the bounce of her step telling him she’d had a good day. They had met at school in their early teens. Everyone said their relationship wouldn’t last, that it was a first love fling, but so far they had proved them all wrong. They were married at eighteen, eight years ago now. Call him old-fashioned but he liked the fact that neither of them had slept with anyone else. It made their marriage feel extraordinary. Lyla still made him feel special too.
Upstairs, Frankie stopped at his son’s door. It was ajar, a nightlight shining. Ben had only recently stopped needing the landing light on, but he still didn’t want the door shut. He had kicked off his covers and was almost lying the opposite way around in his bed.
Frankie chuckled to himself for a moment. How did they do that, move so much in their sleep? He lifted him up, a dead weight in his arms, putting him around the right way. Then he covered him, tucking him in.
Listening to him breathing, Frankie’s temper rose again. If anyone so much as laid a finger on his son, he knew there would be consequences. He wouldn’t be able to stop himself from hurting someone.
He couldn’t imagine his life without Ben. At least for now Tyler Douglas seemed to be doing okay.
‘He’s fine.’
Frankie turned to see Lyla was in the doorway. She was wearing her pyjamas now. He wanted to rip them off but would save those thoughts until later.
‘He was good at nursery today. He’s been telling everyone that his name from now on is Poo, and it has nothing to do with Winnie.’
Frankie couldn’t help but laugh.
Lyla came closer and he pulled her onto his lap. They both watched as Ben slept beside them, oblivious to the love emanating towards him.
‘Come downstairs.’ Lyla stood up and took his hand. ‘I don’t want to wake him.’
‘In a moment.’
She left him alone again. He bent and kissed his son’s head.
‘Stay safe, Poo,’ he whispered and turned out the nightlight. Closing the door, he rubbed at his eyes. He prayed he could keep him safe, that no harm would come to him when he wasn’t there. He wasn’t sure he would ever forgive himself if anything happened.
But you can’t wrap a child in cotton wool. They had given Ben the best start in life. He hoped no one would take that away from him.
Lyla had reheated him a large bowl of pasta bolognese. She sat down next to him at the breakfast bar as he ate.
‘I worry about you,’ she said. ‘Every time you go out of that door, I pray that you’ll come home at the end of your shift. I know you love what you do, but I also know there are terrible people out there, no matter who you are.’
He was about to speak when she continued.
‘But I also know I don’t need to worry because you can look after yourself. Promise me one thing, though. Please don’t take the law into your own hands if you find out someone has harmed that little boy. Our son needs a father, and I need you home with me. Don’t get too close.’
She knew him so well.
Frankie nodded. ‘I promise,’ he replied. ‘Besides, I need to finish painting the hall.’
It was half past midnight when Grace finally got home from the hospital. She hadn’t had such a late night for a while. Not since that last murder investigation before she changed posts the year before.
Except for the hall light, the house was in darkness when she dropped her keys on the kitchen table. Simon had gone to bed after she’d rung him again to say it would be a while before she got off her shift.
It was way too late to have a run on the treadmill in the conservatory, her usual stress reliever, so she crept around downstairs, made herself a quick drink and then went upstairs.
After showering, she tiptoed into the bedroom and got into bed. The covers were cold against her skin. Simon’s back was towards her. She wanted to reach across to him, yet didn’t feel it was fair to wake him. But he soon stirred. He switched on the lamp and turned to face her.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked.
‘Pretty crap, actually.’
‘Want to talk about it?’
‘No, but I need you awake.’ She pulled him towards her, kissing him and hoping he would respond. She needed to feel him as close to her as possible, skin on skin, so she could forget the images she was seeing in her mind over and over. The body of a young boy crumpled on the floor like a sack of potatoes.
Afterwards, they lay together. ‘Nice wake-up call,’ he grinned. ‘Feeling better?’
‘Much, thanks. At least I might sleep a little now. It was such a shock to see him lying on the grass.’
‘How are the parents?’
‘Staying hopeful. We’ll know more about his condition in the morning.’
‘He’s not going to die, is he?’
‘It’s down to him, I think. If he’s strong enough to survive.’
‘That poor kid. I remember when Teagan was four and fell off the climbing frame at the local playground. As a parent, you think you should have been there. It wasn’t my fault as, rationally, there was no way I could have stopped her even though I was right next to her. She was having fun, but the guilt I experienced afterwards? I totally felt as if I’d let her down.’
‘You hadn’t. These things happen.’
‘Do you think this was an accident?’
‘I’m not sure.’
It was clear he wanted her to continue – he couldn’t help but fish for information – but she said no more, not wanting to talk about the case.
He turned out the light and she squeezed her eyes shut tight to close out the night, and the images. But she couldn’t get the tragedy off her mind. After speaking to Tyler’s parents, she had come away none the wiser. Their story that Tyler had run from the house, pulled himself up the railing and fell over as he’d lost his balance didn’t ring true.
Had the parents got anything to do with it? Was his eight-year-old sister to blame in any way? Children were always squabbling; something could have happened by accident.
Whatever it was, Grace knew the case was going to be sensitive – it always was when children were involved. She prayed Tyler would pull through. A suspicious death was a terrible thing to police regardless of age, but a child even more so.
Tomorrow she would update Allie and see what else they needed to do. She also realised she’d have to keep an eye on Frankie’s welfare. Tyler Douglas was only a few months younger than his son Ben and she’d seen his face contorting several times during the evening, fists clenching, the veins almost popping on his temple.
Simon stirred in his sleep and Grace cuddled into him. She had to get some rest or she would be useless to anyone in the morning.
2010
Ruby was in Naomi’s bad books. She’d apologised several times but to no avail. She hated falling out with her best friend but was disappointed too. Ruby wanted to chat about Finn. She and Naomi often talked about boys. It was so much of what they discussed now, after years of dolls and games.
They were in Naomi’s bedroom. If she could, Ruby always went there after school. Naomi’s parents were mostly at work so they had the place to themselves. And it beat going home to her empty house.
‘I spent ages looking for you,’ Naomi sniped. ‘It was my birthday party.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t realise the time,’ Ruby replied. ‘And you were having fun, anyway, if I recall.’ She nudged Naomi.
‘I wanted to be with my best friend.’
‘I came to look for you but you were busy with Gareth.’
Naomi grinned. ‘At least I had something to do while you were missing.’
Ruby wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. Naomi had been all over Gareth Fitzjohn when she’d come in to say goodbye before going home. From where she was standing, she could see Naomi’s eyes closed as his to
ngue explored her mouth and his hands went wherever she would let them. So she couldn’t have been bothered about where Ruby was that much.
‘I didn’t know Finn was coming though,’ Naomi added.
‘I thought he was invited. He never said.’
‘He wouldn’t.’ Naomi rested on her elbows and put her head in her hands. ‘He’s a freeloader. He probably only came after a drink.’
‘He was in a car so he didn’t have anything.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I told you. He took me out for a drive in it. It was awesome.’ Ruby felt pride shoot through her as she realised how important this made her feel.
But Naomi wasn’t as impressed as she was.
‘He’s bad news, Ruby.’
‘How do you know?’
‘My dad says he’s always up to no good. You should stay away.’
‘Well, I’m not going to.’ She grinned. ‘He took my phone number.’
Naomi rolled her eyes. ‘Has he called?’
‘Not yet but he—’
‘It’s a cop-out. He won’t call you.’
‘Why do you say that?’ Ruby folded her arms. ‘He seemed to like me.’
‘Oh, I didn’t mean it how it sounded.’ Naomi seemed genuinely perturbed that she had upset Ruby. ‘I just meant that men are like that. They promise you everything and then they let you down.’
‘Some do,’ Ruby said. ‘Not all of them.’
‘I guess. So,’ Naomi moved to sit on her knees. ‘How many times did he kiss you?’
‘A few.’ For some reason, Ruby didn’t want to share anything with Naomi now.
‘Go on. Tell me all about him.’
‘Don’t want to.’ Ruby thought she’d punish her for a little while.
‘Well, Gareth’s hands were trying to get everywhere!’
‘Yes, I saw you. I think everyone did.’
Naomi laughed. ‘I all but had an orgasm standing up.’
Ruby laughed then.
‘Did Finn try it on with you?’
She shook her head, then wondered if he should have done. ‘Would it have shown that he liked me more?’
‘Not really. He might have been shy. Or bothered about where he was. I reckon you’ll just have to keep your fingers crossed that he does call. Else you won’t be able to get in touch with him, and that will be a shame.’
‘I’ll find him again somewhere.’ Ruby laughed this time. ‘He’ll be my Prince Charming. I will get my man.’
Naomi got off the bed and took her friend’s hand. ‘No more talk about boys. I’m starving. Let’s go and make chip butties.’
Ruby followed Naomi down the stairs and into the spacious kitchen. As Naomi raided the freezer, she thought about what her friend had said. Finn might give her the runaround but she hoped he wasn’t like that. He had been lovely when he’d said good night. He would call soon.
Slipping a sneaky look at her phone, she sighed. There were no messages yet.
TUESDAY
EIGHT
Grace was situated back at the same desk as she had shared within the old team layout. They were on the first floor of Bethesda Police Station, a large open-plan office with several partitioned box offices in a row in front of her. It was much better to be in the same building again, after working in Stafford Street where Allie had been based, or even out somewhere on one of the estates. It was good to be in close proximity to everyone. Besides, sitting in the main office meant she was a part of the banter or could catch up on the gossip circuit. The station was rife with it, internal and external chitter-chatter.
First up that morning was a chat with Allie, who was in Nick’s old office. Grace was glad to see she, too, had an open-door policy.
Perry arrived and threw his keys down onto the desk. ‘Morning. I heard about Tyler Douglas last night.’ He removed his coat and placed it over the back of his chair before sitting down.
‘It was terrible. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It took me ages to drop off to sleep, hence these.’ Grace pointed at the bags under her eyes. ‘And why I was up at stupid o’clock.’
‘How’s everything now?’
‘I’m not sure yet but he was in a pretty bad way last night. Do you know anything about his parents? Ruby Brassington and Luke Douglas.’
Perry shook his head. ‘They’re not on our radar, but if I find out they had anything to do with the accident, they’ll feel the wrath of me.’
Grace knew his threats were empty but she realised it must be hard for him. Like Frankie, Perry’s boy, Archie, was a similar age to Tyler Douglas. It must get to them both. It got to her enough and she wasn’t a parent.
‘If you need any help let us know,’ Perry added. ‘You are okay?’
‘Yes, thanks.’ Grace appreciated his concern. ‘Anything come in for you overnight?’ Perry was acting Detective Sergeant for the Major Crimes Team at the moment.
‘An assault on a fourteen-year-old. His mum called it in so I’ll be off to see them soon.’
‘No rest for the wicked.’ Grace spotted Allie standing up in her office and headed over to her. She knocked on the door frame before going in.
‘Do you have a minute?’
‘Barely.’ Allie pointed to the ceiling. ‘I’ve got a meeting with the Gods.’ Upstairs was where the DCI and those ranked above were based.
Grace smirked at the in-joke. ‘It won’t take long. It’s about Tyler Douglas.’
Allie indicated for Grace to sit down on one side of the desk and then sat the opposite side herself. ‘Did you get anything else after we spoke?’
‘Most people didn’t see anything.’
‘I saw nothing.’ Allie rolled her eyes. ‘It’s laughable that they still use that. What do you think happened?’
‘I can’t tell, so me and Frankie are going to try and get some sense out of the residents this morning. I’m not sure it warrants police interception unless a crime has been committed. Unless we can find a witness, we only have the parents’ statements to go on.’
‘Gut feeling?’ Allie asked.
‘Something doesn’t feel right but I’m not sure if it’s suspicious or not. It could be that his eight-year-old sister was involved and the parents don’t want to say. Or it could be that she tried to stop Tyler from falling and couldn’t. Although then, why wouldn’t they tell us the truth?’
‘Maybe they think she will be in trouble.’
‘She will be if she’s pushed him.’
‘Does she look like she would?’
Grace screwed up her nose. ‘Anything’s possible but I didn’t get that about her. More that she was scared to talk.’
‘And the parents?’
‘I don’t think they did it either if I’m honest. But I’d like to see what I can find out for sure.’
‘Okay, keep me informed,’ Allie agreed. ‘It won’t hurt to properly interview the parents now they may be a little less emotional, and see if everything tallies with last night’s account. Until an accident is or isn’t ruled out, we need to know as much as possible. And there are no warning markers against either of them, or the property?’
‘None at all.’
‘I’ll leave it with you then.’
‘I’ll give it my best shot.’ She nodded. ‘Someone will tell me something by the end of the day.’
Grace followed Allie out of the room and back to her own desk. The cold weather called for a cuppa. But first she’d ring the housing officer that covered Harrison House.
NINE
Caleb pulled the duvet up around his neck and turned over in bed. It was gone school time but he wasn’t going in today. He’d faked a headache when his mum had come to wake him. Usually she saw through it, gave him a lashing with her tongue and sent him on his way. But today she’d taken pity on him.
It was a good job he had such a strict mum or else he and his brother would have got up to much worse than they had so far. Johnno was five years older than him, living at home but Mum wouldn’t
allow him to claim dole. He had to get a job or find somewhere else to stay, that was the rule.
She was a good influence on them both, but still he had secrets from her. She didn’t know what he’d been doing for the past few months. But he was done with that. He wasn’t sure he wanted to earn the rest of the money he needed. Because what he’d seen Seth do last night meant he’d never trust him again. And in his haste to get away, he hadn’t delivered the package.
His phone went off. It was his friend, Shaun.
‘You heard about Milo last night?’
‘No, what happened?’ Milo was another of the boys fetching and carrying for Seth.
‘He got beat up really bad at Harrison House.’
Caleb sat upright. He was just about to say that he’d been there too but stopped himself at the last moment.
‘He has broken ribs,’ Shaun added. ‘Cuts to his face and you should see his back. It’s covered with bruises.’
‘Did he say who got to him?’
‘He wouldn’t tell me. He’s scared of someone. Hey, why aren’t you in school?’
‘Bad head.’
Once the call ended, Caleb put on his radio. The news was due on and he wanted to hear what was being said about yesterday.
‘Police are investigating an incident at Harrison House where a toddler fell from a first-floor walkway. Two-year-old resident Tyler Douglas fell outside his home at approximately 6.30 p.m. last night. Harrison House, off Ford Green Road, belongs to Trent Housing Association who are also looking into the matter. Safety concerns have now been raised by local residents several times. According to one tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, it was an accident waiting to happen. Police are urging anyone who saw anything to contact them on the national helpline.’
Caleb let out a sigh of relief. It seemed as if he’d be all right if they were treating it as an accident. He just needed to keep quiet, that’s all. If no one came forward to say they had seen anything suspicious, he would be home and dry. And it looked as if no one had seen the assault on Milo either.
He picked up his phone when it alerted him to a new text message. It was from Seth.