by Mel Sherratt
She shook her head: where had that little maudlin chain of thoughts come from? She was happy, wasn’t she?
Frankie interrupted her thoughts. ‘Ruby and Luke seem like normal parents to me, though, boss.’
‘Yes, I can see their love for their children.’ Grace had told Frankie that Luke wasn’t Lily’s biological father. ‘I still think they’re covering up something though.’
‘You don’t think it was an accident?’
‘Do you?’
‘No. I guess we’ll find out eventually, especially now that he might pull through okay.’
‘Which is wonderful news.’
They ate their sandwiches and sipped at the coffees in amicable silence, ignoring the odd stares from residents coming and going. They really didn’t like a police presence at Harrison House, even though it was down to the two of them for now.
‘I wonder how many illegal things we’ve stopped happening here since we started investigating.’ Grace grinned.
‘We’ve probably upset Seth Forrester. He seems to have a lot of swing around this block of flats.’
‘He might think he does but we’ll be on to him now it’s been brought to our attention.’
‘Don’t you miss all the murder and mayhem of Major Crimes, Sarge?’
‘I can always watch TV or read a novel if I do.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Although neither will be true to our jobs or else they wouldn’t make good entertainment.’
‘You know what I mean. Being on the front line, chasing down the villains.’
‘That’s what we do here.’
‘I guess but what I’m trying to get at is, isn’t this all a bit domesticated for you?’
She thought about how to answer him. Yes, it was tame after hunting down serial killers and murderers, but equally, she’d taken a lot of that home with her over the years. It marred you, there was no doubt about that. Sometimes it was easy to compartmentalise something, switch the computer off at the end of the day and never think about it again. But other times, it was really tough. Painful to think about, harder to forget. The nightmares, the images, they all stayed in her head. She had seen a lot in her years on the force, but nothing more than when she’d worked in Major Crimes. How to put all that into words – especially when she didn’t want to?
‘It’s more than a job to us, Frankie,’ she decided on. ‘I do miss being in the thick of things but I also enjoy what we do too. It’s all down to the tiny details. The criminals who slip up, ensuring we’re one step ahead. The lying, the deceit. I like digging into all of that.’
‘And you can outrun any criminal in Stoke because you do so much running on your treadmill. I think that’s a skill in itself.’ He laughed. ‘So you don’t miss your job then?’
She sniggered. ‘Not one bit.’
He nudged her. ‘Having a cool boss makes everything so much easier for me.’
‘Hey, stop crawling just because I bought you a cheese and onion bap and a lukewarm coffee.’
They sat in silence again. She liked that they could, that she felt comfortable enough to do so with him. And she was grateful to have this opportunity to work with him on a closer basis. He was young, had a keen eye and was eager to learn. He would be a great asset to the Major Crimes Team when there was a vacancy. He wouldn’t be with her for long.
‘Right.’ She wiped one hand against the other. ‘Let’s crack on.’
She spotted a figure walking towards them. She smiled, recognising the stance. It was Simon. He was wearing the thick woollen coat she’d chosen for him when they’d been out shopping the previous weekend, and carrying the same leather satchel which had been part of his attire since they’d met. His dark floppy hair was covered by a thick black beanie hat with the logo on for Stoke News, his lips looking a little blue in the bitter cold.
Those lips found a smile for her as he drew nearer.
She’d been lucky to find Simon, even more so to keep him. Their relationship hadn’t got off to the best of starts when she’d come to Stoke from Manchester and almost immediately been involved in a serial killer case involving her estranged family, the Steeles. From that day, Simon’s line manager had seemed hellbent on getting Grace for something, assuming she was corrupt too. But he had nothing on her.
‘Got anything for me?’ he asked.
‘Nope.’
‘I meant food, not intel.’
‘Same here. I was starving, sorry. I think you might find a few breadcrumbs if you look closely.’
‘See how she treats me?’ Simon turned to Frankie. ‘I hope she isn’t as hard on you.’
‘She’s a slave driver.’
Grace playfully swiped Frankie on the arm.
Simon sat down on the wall next to her. ‘What’re you up to?’
‘Just trying to find stuff out.’
‘No luck, I gather?’
‘Hey, ye of little faith.’
Simon waited and neither of them spoke.
‘You didn’t get much then.’
‘Not that we’re sharing with you. Unless you have any gossip for us.’
Their banter was comical. They both knew they wouldn’t cross the line, but loved teasing each other about it. Many people at the station hadn’t trusted Grace when they’d first got together but in time she had won them over. She was loyal to anyone she worked with, and fiercely faithful to Simon. It just took different ways of doing it.
Frankie stood up to go. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Simon leaned over to Grace for a sneaky kiss as Frankie sat back down. ‘I have to go anyway. People to interview, you know.’
‘Now that you can’t get your own way.’
‘Exactly that. You mean nothing to me otherwise.’
‘So you didn’t come over here just to see me?’
‘Not at all.’
He stood up before she could hit him this time, and walked away laughing.
‘You’d better leg it, mister, or I’ll be after you.’
Grace sat on the wall for a moment. At least now their relationship seemed cemented. And she loved how he made her feel with a wink of an eye or a smile that made her stomach flip.
In their line of work, it was nice to have a little light within the dark days.
2011
Telling Finn that she was pregnant had been far easier than letting Naomi know. It was a Saturday afternoon and Ruby was in the garden of her friend’s home, enjoying the summer sunshine. The sun was high but for some reason the mood was low.
After dumping Gareth, Naomi had been seeing Darius Pickford for six months, so even though things had been icy between them when Finn had come along, now they were both going out with someone they liked. It meant their evenings together were planned and treasured.
Ruby still wasn’t comfortable telling her what had happened, but she wanted to share everything with her best friend. Besides, she was bursting to tell someone, especially as she hadn’t mentioned anything to her dad yet. She was wondering how to broach the subject as she knew Naomi would be mad. But sitting here in the garden, time was running out before the pregnancy was visible anyway.
‘Jeez, I’m dripping.’ Naomi fanned a hand in front of her face. She was wearing shorts and a skimpy vest, her arms and legs the colour of caramel after a few days of hot weather.
Realising this might be her cue, Ruby took off her T-shirt. ‘I thought I’d show you my bump.’
Naomi looked at Ruby’s stomach and then gasped.
‘You’re pregnant?’
Ruby nodded, and grinned.
But Naomi didn’t smile.
‘How far gone are you?’
‘Fourteen weeks.’
‘So when did you find out?’
‘For certain? A few weeks ago.’
‘You knew all this time and didn’t tell me?’ The tone of Naomi’s voice made it apparent how upset she was.
‘I wanted to be sure first.’ Ruby clasped her hands over her bump.
‘But
we tell each other everything.’
Ruby lowered her eyes for a moment. ‘I just – I just didn’t know how to.’
‘Why not?’
‘I thought you’d be mad at me.’
‘For skipping sixth form all the time and getting pregnant, living in a council flat and going out with a loser?’ Naomi laughed harshly. ‘Why would I be mad?’
‘That’s not a very nice thing to say.’ Ruby sat up and put her T-shirt on again. ‘I never have a go at you and Darius.’
‘That’s because he comes from a decent family. His dad is a GP and his mum owns her own dental practice. They have reputable careers. Darius will have good prospects.’
‘And Finn won’t?’
‘He wouldn’t know where to start.’
‘Why are you always attacking him?’
‘I’m not.’
‘Yes, you are. Is it because you’re jealous that I live with him and he drives so we’re not stuck in a parents’ house all evening unable to do what we want?’
‘That’s not it, at all.’
‘Then what is it?’
Naomi sat up on the lounger. ‘He’s no good for you, Rube. You’ve changed since you’ve been going out with him.’
‘No I haven’t,’ she snapped.
‘Yes, you have! Look at you, all on the defensive. You never used to be like that.’
‘You’re just jealous that I have a man and you have a school-age boyfriend.’
‘I’m not. I just hate how everything is so secretive with you now. You could have told me ages ago but you chose not to. You could have even told me that you suspected you were pregnant. I would have supported you but you didn’t want to tell me.’
‘I was embarrassed, that’s all.’
‘You should be. You’re so clever and I thought you wanted to go into physiotherapy? You had plans to go to college.’
‘I can still do that.’
‘It won’t be easy with a baby.’ Naomi gnawed her bottom lip. ‘I’m not being funny but pregnant at seventeen isn’t what I expected from you.’
‘Well, that’s it, then. Friendship over.’
‘Don’t be angry with me. I’m worried about you, that’s all.’
‘Because I’m having Finn’s baby?’
‘Yes. You’re so young. Can’t you at least think about what you’re doing?’
‘You mean have an abortion?’ Ruby sat up and swung her legs round to the floor. ‘I might go home.’
‘No! Let’s talk,’ Naomi insisted. ‘How will you cope? I know I couldn’t.’
‘I have Finn. I thought I’d have my best friend to help me too, but it seems not.’ She stood up.
Naomi followed suit. ‘I’ll be there for you, you know that. But if you’re with Finn all the time, why would you need me? Besides, he scares me and I’m afraid for you.’
‘You’re a snob,’ Ruby cried. ‘He’s not good enough for you, is he? That’s what this is all about.’
‘He’s dangerous and I hear lots of things about him.’
‘No, he isn’t. He’s not the man you think he is. He’s kind and gentle and … and he loves me.’
‘I only want what’s best for you.’ Naomi reached for her hand. ‘Please stay for a while.’
‘As long as you don’t ask me to choose between you because you might be offended at who I pick.’
Ruby lay down again, closing her eyes and pretending to sunbathe. But she was fuming. Naomi had no right to speak to her like that. She didn’t understand how much her life had changed, how much she had grown up. How much she wanted to have Finn’s baby.
When she left Naomi’s house that night, she never went back. Naomi was heading off for university in September anyway. What did she care if she wasn’t happy for her?
Except that she did care. Naomi was like a sister. They had shared so much growing up. She was going to miss her. Perhaps things would calm down and they could get over it. But it wasn’t going to be her who made the first move.
Back at the flat, Finn was home. He made coffee. ‘Did you have a good afternoon?’ he asked.
‘It wasn’t great,’ she said, a huge sigh following. ‘We fell out when I told her about the baby.’
‘Oh.’
‘She didn’t seem happy for me. I’m sad about that.’
‘I know I’m no substitute for Naomi but you don’t need anyone else.’ Finn drew her into his arms. ‘I love you enough for everyone. I can be your best friend.’
Ruby nodded. He was everything to her. Maybe telling her dad could wait until after the baby was born too. She didn’t want to go through that humiliation again.
‘I can do girlie things with you.’ He flickered his eyelashes. ‘I’ll paint your nails, do your hair.’
‘No you won’t.’ She threw a cushion from the settee at him. ‘That would be my biggest nightmare.’
‘Seriously, Rube. We’re a team. You, me and the bump.’ He placed a hand gently over her stomach. ‘I can’t wait to see our baby.’
Ruby smiled at him. He was right. He was going to be a dad and she was going to be a mum. In one way, everything would change as soon as the baby was born anyway. Maybe falling out with Naomi was part of both of them growing up, moving on.
She had what she wanted right here.
EIGHTEEN
The news from the hospital was good. Tyler was doing well for now, though they were still running tests and observations. When Luke suggested going home to change, Ruby hadn’t wanted to leave, but the consultant had given her the reassurance that their son was stable. They decided to go and pick up Lily together.
Panic began to seep into Ruby as Luke drove them back to the flat. She didn’t know what to do, knowing the police would see through her soon. When things started fitting into place – or, rather, were out of place – that’s when everything would come tumbling down.
Once at Harrison House, she held on to Luke’s hand as they made their way to the main entrance. Even though no one knew they were due home, she felt eyes on her everywhere. A ripple of whispers seemed to go around the flats, residents popping heads over the walkways, leaning on the rail.
It was raining a little, a sharp nip in the air, but warmer than it had been of late. There were several vehicles in the car park, the usual residents who didn’t go to work or were home from night shifts. Ruby pulled her coat a little closer, unsure whether she was shielding herself from the cold or from the people. The sense of someone watching, being followed, covering her back, would never leave her and it wasn’t any different now.
They got inside the communal entrance quickly.
‘They’re blaming us, aren’t they?’ Tears slid down her cheeks. ‘They don’t have to say anything. I can feel it.’
Luke wiped at her tears. ‘I don’t care. We did nothing wrong.’
He squeezed her fingers a little more as they continued up to the first floor. But Ruby was frightened, scared for her life yet again. She couldn’t keep doing this. It wasn’t fair.
She was desperate to see her daughter now; to hold her in her arms after the events of yesterday. Before she’d got together with Luke it had been her and Lily taking on the world. There was a strong bond between mother and daughter, and Lily loved her little brother, which was good. Because once Tyler had come home, Ruby would have to make plans for their future. She didn’t feel safe now.
They both spotted the detective going door to door on the opposite walkway and quickly went into the flat.
‘What is she still doing around here?’ Luke hissed as soon as the door was closed.
‘I’m not sure. No one saw what happened though, did they?’
‘I don’t think so. Did they mention a man running away to you?’
Ruby nodded. ‘I told them I saw someone but that I couldn’t see what they looked like.’
Luke balked and began to pace the living room. ‘I told them I didn’t see anyone. They’re going to think one of us is lying.’
‘We were both wor
ried about Tyler.’ Ruby made a mental list of things to take back to the hospital with them. ‘No one could blame us for not taking notice of everything going on around at the time.’
‘We can’t let the police find out that it might have been something to do with us.’
‘I’m not lying again!’ she cried.
‘But—’
‘You’re going to land us in trouble if you think like that. It’s easy to slip up, so we must say as little as possible. I just said I saw someone running towards the main road. It could have been anyone.’
‘I suppose. I never saw where he went, did you?’
‘No, not after he dropped over the railing himself. And I was desperate to see how Tyler was by then.’
Luke flopped onto the settee. ‘He could be anywhere by now.’ Then he sat upright. ‘You don’t think he could be watching the flat, do you?’
‘Luke, you’re scaring me!’
‘But we have to think of the possibilities. This is a nightmare. And we still don’t know what we’re supposed to give him. Are you sure you didn’t recognise him?’
‘Why would I know who it was?’ Ruby couldn’t look him in the eye, knowing she was lying.
‘Because I don’t. I can’t understand why we’re being targeted, what he wants.’
Ruby turned to the door. ‘I have to fetch Lily. She’s been on her own with Norma for too long. She must be worried sick by now. And that Detective Allendale might call and I want to be ready to go as soon as we can. I don’t want to leave Tyler for too long.’
‘We need to talk to Lily, too. In case the police want to question her, to see what she saw.’
‘I’ll do it, when we’re at the hospital.’
Really, Ruby wanted to get out of Harrison House with her family. Already she didn’t feel safe here. The flat certainly didn’t seem like home any more. She doubted it ever would again. It had been tarnished.
At least they would all be safer in the Royal Stoke. She hated lying to Luke but surely no one would come after them in such a public place?