‘Are you heading back to base?’ Charlie eventually asked, as they neared Helen’s Kawasaki.
‘Better had,’ Helen replied, wearily. ‘I’ve got to begin the hunt for a new crime scene photographer, now that Graham Ross has decided to move on.’
‘He’s only got himself to blame,’ Charlie replied, shaking her head ruefully. ‘If you lie down with dogs …’
‘My thoughts exactly. I’ve also got a month’s worth of paperwork to catch up on, so …’
‘Don’t overdo it.’
‘I’m fine, honestly. I’m eating properly again, sleeping well, everything is boringly normal.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ Charlie responded, smiling. ‘You could do with a bit of normal in your life.’
‘And how are you?’ Helen asked, changing the subject. ‘How’s Jessica?’
‘Much better, thanks. We’ve had three weeks of undisturbed sleep, so fingers crossed …’
‘And Steve? Everything ok between you two?’
Charlie paused, uncertain how to answer, which worried Helen. But to her surprise, Charlie now broke out into an even wider smile.
‘Actually, things are good. Better than good. I’m pregnant.’
‘Right,’ Helen said, momentarily stumped. ‘I didn’t know that you …’
‘I wasn’t. I didn’t plan for it, wasn’t ready for it, but accidents will happen.’
‘Well, then I’m very happy for you.’
‘Thank you. We’re both really pleased,’ Charlie replied, laughing at the cosmic craziness of it all. ‘I guess it was meant to be.’
Helen hugged her, giving her old friend a kiss on the cheek, before letting her go. Helen watched her walk away, feeling both excited and moved. Charlie had been through so much recently, Steve and Jessica too, and they deserved some happiness. It cheered Helen enormously to think that there would soon be a fourth member of their family, bringing fun, noise, happiness and chaos to their loving household. The last few months had been so dark, so challenging, but finally the sun was beginning to shine on them, promising better things for the future.
It was a timely reminder that amid all the death and suffering, there is always life.
THE BEGINNING
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MICHAEL JOSEPH
UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
India | New Zealand | South Africa
Michael Joseph is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com
First published 2018
Copyright © M. J. Arlidge, 2018
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Cover design: Andrew Smith
Cover images © Alamy
ISBN: 978-1-405-92567-9
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Epilogue
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
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Down to the Woods: DI Helen Grace 8 (Detective Inspector Helen Grace) Page 37