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Down to the Woods: DI Helen Grace 8 (Detective Inspector Helen Grace)

Page 37

by M. J. Arlidge


  ‘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

  Follow Penguin

  Copyright Page

 

 

 
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