Witness

by Mandasue Heller

  ‘He was up in court last week,’ PC Bennett said from his position at the window. ‘Two years suspended.’

  ‘You’re kidding me?’ Suzie spluttered. ‘Why wasn’t I told about this?’

  ‘The charges weren’t related to you, so you wouldn’t have been marked down for notification,’ said Bennett.

  ‘Of course they were related to me,’ Suzie argued. ‘I’m the one he attacked, and it was me who called you to tell you he was in my house while you were out there looking for him.’

  ‘There wasn’t enough evidence to proceed with your case,’ Spencer interjected, sounding as uncomfortable as he was beginning to look. ‘But he kicked off after we removed him from the house, so he was charged with assaulting an officer and damaging police property.’

  Suzie was outraged. ‘So he half kills me and then breaks into my house to finish the job, but that’s all right as long as he doesn’t damage anything belonging to you lot?’

  ‘I want to see my mum,’ Holly blurted out.

  Visibly relieved by the interruption, Spencer said, ‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible right now.’

  ‘She – she’s not going to die, is she?’ Holly swiped at a tear that was slithering down her cheek.

  ‘No, of course not.’ Spencer gave her a reassuring smile. ‘But they need to do a thorough assessment of her condition before anyone can see her.’

  At the window, Bennett was talking quietly into his radio. Turning to Spencer when he’d finished, he said, ‘We need to get going, mate.’

  Spencer rose to his feet and, looking down at Suzie, jerked his head towards the door, saying, ‘Could I have a quick word?’

  Suzie squeezed Holly’s hand, and said, ‘Won’t be a sec,’ before following him out into the hall.

  ‘I need to know your real relationship to Holly,’ Spencer said quietly when she’d closed the door.

  ‘I’ve already told you, I’m her aunt.’ Suzie folded her arms.

  ‘I’m not calling you a liar, but I know how these things work,’ Spencer said. ‘Everyone called their mum’s mates auntie or uncle when I was a kid, and if that’s what’s going on here I need to know so we can contact an actual relative.’

  Sensing that he would ask for proof if she persisted with the lie, Suzie said, ‘All right, I’m only a friend. But she hasn’t got any family apart from her mum, so what happens now?’

  ‘Because she’s a minor and we don’t know how long her mum’s going to be in hospital, we’ll need to place a protection order on her,’ Spencer said. ‘Social services will take over from there.’

  ‘Is that really necessary?’ Suzie asked. ‘She’s nearly sixteen. Can’t she stay with me?’

  ‘That’s the procedure in these cases, I’m afraid,’ Spencer said. ‘And, to be honest, I’m not sure you’d be given clearance to take her even if you were her aunt, given the history of violence with your ex.’

  ‘That was him, not me,’ Suzie replied sharply, annoyed that she was being judged because of Rob’s actions. Then, swallowing the irritation, she said, ‘Look, you just said you don’t know how long her mum’s going to be away, so can’t you wait for one night before escalating it? Unless there’s something you’re not telling me?’ she added, when it occurred to her that this might be worse than he was letting on. ‘She’s not dead, is she?’

  ‘No.’ Spencer shook his head. Then, lowering his voice, he said, ‘Holly doesn’t need to hear this, but we recovered a knife from the scene.’

  ‘She was stabbed?’ Suzie’s eyes widened. ‘Christ, that’s awful. Did you catch him?’

  ‘Not yet. He legged it when he was disturbed, and the lads couldn’t give us much of a description because he was wearing a balaclava. But we will.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Suzie shuddered. ‘There’s enough weirdos round here without adding a knife-wielding maniac to the list.’

  ‘Well, now you know what we’re dealing with, I’m sure you’ll understand why we need to put safeguarding measures in place for Holly,’ Spencer said.

  ‘Yeah, but does it have to be tonight?’ Suzie asked. ‘She’s already traumatized, and sending her to spend the night with strangers will feel like a punishment. Josie wouldn’t want that, and neither do I, so please let me look after her. If you’re worried about my ex turning up, I’ll stay here.’

  Spencer breathed in deeply and ran a hand through his dark hair. Then, sighing, he said, ‘All right, here’s what I’ll do. You told me you’re her aunt and Holly didn’t dispute it, so that’s what I’ll put in my report. But if her mum ends up being kept in for more than a couple of nights, it’ll be out of my hands.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Suzie touched his arm. ‘She’ll be safe with me. And if any awkward questions get asked, I’ll take the blame so you don’t get into trouble.’

  ‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,’ he muttered, sounding like he was already regretting his decision.

  ‘It won’t,’ Suzie said, mentally crossing her fingers. ‘But you’d best take my number, just in case.’

  After saving her number into his phone, Spencer went back into the living room.

  ‘OK, Holly, we’re going to leave you with your aunt for tonight,’ he said. ‘I’ve got her number, so I’ll ring as soon as we’ve got any news about your mum. Try not to worry.’

  ‘She’ll be fine,’ Suzie said, putting her arm around Holly. ‘I’ll look after her.’

  Spencer nodded and said goodbye, then he and his colleague saw themselves out.

  ‘What am I going to do?’ Holly whimpered. ‘What if she dies?’

  ‘That is not going to happen,’ Suzie said firmly, peering into her eyes. ‘She’ll be home soon, and you need to pull yourself together or you’ll be no use to her. I persuaded PC Spencer to let me stay with you tonight, but if social services get wind of it and come sniffing round, you need to show them that you’re mature enough to cope with this. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Holly whispered, wiping her nose on her hand.

  ‘Good girl,’ Suzie said, giving her a quick hug. ‘Now I need to nip home and get a few bits. Will you be all right here till I get back, or do you want to come with me?’

  ‘I’ll stay here.’

  ‘OK, I won’t be long.’

  Holly forced a tiny smile, but it slid off her lips as soon as Suzie had gone, and she stared at the cushion where her mum had been sitting when they ate dinner earlier. The coppers hadn’t told her much, but she knew it had to be bad for them to tape the road off, and she felt guilty that she hadn’t followed her instincts and gone down there. It would have been too late to stop her mum from getting attacked, but at least she could have comforted her and gone in the ambulance with her. Now her mum was alone, and she couldn’t even go to see her. And if she died . . .

  Fresh tears burned her eyes at the thought of never seeing her mum again, but she swiped them away at the sound of the doorbell ringing. Assuming it must be Suzie, she went out into the hall to let her in – and cursed herself for not checking first when she saw that it was actually Carol from the second floor. Too polite to close the door in the woman’s face, she pushed it to until there was an inch-wide crack and peered out at her.

  ‘Are you all right, love?’ Carol asked. ‘I saw the coppers and her from across the road leaving and wanted to check on you.’

  ‘I’m OK,’ Holly said.

  ‘Not being funny,’ Carol said conspiratorially, casting a quick glance back along the corridor, ‘but does your mam know you’re knocking about with that tart? Only I’m not sure I’d be happy if one of my kids got mixed up with her sort.’

  ‘She’s not a tart,’ Holly bristled.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Suzie asked.

  ‘Fuck’s sake!’ Carol yelped, spinning round to face her. ‘What you sneaking up on me for? You’re lucky I didn’t lamp you one.’

  ‘Is that right?’ Suzie gazed coolly back at her.

  Carol narrowed her eyes and looked her up and down, clo
cking the pyjama pants beneath her coat, and the wine bottle sticking out of the carrier bag she was holding. Then, turning back to Holly, she said, ‘You seem like a nice girl and I’d hate to see you get led astray, so watch yourself, yeah?’

  ‘Suzie’s my friend,’ Holly shot back indignantly. ‘And you don’t even know me, so why’re you—’

  ‘It’s all right, I’ll deal with this,’ Suzie said, pushing Holly inside and pulling the door shut.

  ‘Oh, you think you can deal with me, do ya?’ Carol sneered, rolling her sleeves up as if preparing for a fight.

  ‘Why are you here?’ Suzie asked, maintaining her cool. ‘You can see she’s upset, so leave her alone.’

  Carol’s lip curled into a sneer, and she said, ‘You proper think you’re special, but you don’t fool me, and I doubt them coppers’d be too happy if they knew what kind of woman was looking after her in there.’ She nodded at the door.

  ‘And what kind of woman would that be?’ Suzie raised an eyebrow.

  ‘A whore,’ Carol hissed, pushing her face into Suzie’s. ‘I knew it the minute I clapped eyes on you, and I ain’t having no tart look down their nose at me, so I’d quit before yours gets rearranged, if I was you.’

  ‘And I’d quit making threats, if I was you,’ Suzie replied icily. ‘Unless you wouldn’t want the drug squad to hear about that little business you’re running in your flat.’

  ‘You what?’ Carol drew her head back. ‘You’re talking shit.’

  ‘Am I?’ Suzie challenged. ‘Well I guess you won’t have anything to worry about when they pay you a surprise visit, will you?’

  Carol’s fat jowls quivered and her mouth flapped open as if she wanted to continue the argument. Then, seeming to think better of it, she clamped her mouth shut and gave Suzie a murderous look before stomping away.

  Pacing the hallway, chewing her thumbnail, Holly said, ‘What was all that about?’ when Suzie came inside. ‘She looked like she wanted to kill you.’

  ‘Oh, she did,’ Suzie chuckled, closing the door. ‘But I doubt she’ll bother us again now she knows that I know about her little sideline.’

  ‘Sideline?’ Holly repeated, following when Suzie headed into the kitchen after hanging up her coat.

  ‘She’s a dealer,’ Suzie said, twisting the lid off the wine bottle and looking around for glasses.

  ‘How do you know?’ Holly took two out of the cupboard and passed them to her.

  ‘I haven’t been sleeping too well since Rob left, and I see a lot of people coming in and out of here at odd hours,’ Suzie explained as she poured the drinks. ‘They never stay for long, so I figured someone in here must be supplying them. I didn’t know it was her for sure, but her reaction when I threatened to report her to the drug squad confirmed it.’

  ‘Wow.’ Holly shook her head. ‘And she had the cheek to warn me about hanging round with you.’

  ‘I don’t give a toss what she thinks of me,’ Suzie said dismissively. ‘Anyway, forget her and go and wash that mascara off your face, then put your jimmies on while I find us a film to watch.’

  21

  Josie opened her eyes, but immediately wished she hadn’t when a harsh overhead light blinded her. Raising her arm to block it out, she felt something tug at her skin and squinted in confusion at the bulky plastic thing taped to the back of her hand. She followed the clear plastic tube coming out of it to a drip standing beside the bed, and her heart lurched when she realized she was in hospital. But why?

  Swallowing dryly when a vague memory nudged into her consciousness, she closed her eyes and tried to grab onto it. She’d made lamb stew, she remembered. It was Holly’s favourite meal when she was little, and she’d made it because she felt guilty for not listening when Holly had told her she was being bullied and had asked for time off school. She’d got up early and gone to the shop, then she’d made the stew and eaten with Holly before heading out to work. And then . . .

  Nothing. Just empty black space.

  Struggling to sit up, she cried out when a sharp pain tore through the back of her head.

  ‘Take it easy,’ a voice cautioned.

  A nurse appeared at the side of the bed, and Josie gazed up at her. ‘Why . . . why am I here?’ she asked, her voice raspy to her own ears.

  ‘The police will explain,’ the nurse replied evasively. ‘I’ll give them a ring and let them know you’re awake. Now, how are you feeling?’

  ‘Like I’ve been hit by a train,’ Josie said truthfully.

  ‘The meds you were given when you came in are probably wearing off, so I’ll get you some more,’ the nurse said. ‘And would you like a drink?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Won’t be a sec.’

  The nurse left the room and Josie looked around. There were three more beds in the room, all occupied by frail-looking old ladies who, with the exception of the one in the far corner whose gaze seemed transfixed by something on the ceiling, were fast asleep and snoring softly. Quietly, to avoid disturbing them, Josie lifted the sheet off her legs and gingerly sat up again. A dark bruise had spread out across the back of her hand, and she winced when she accidentally jabbed the tender flesh with her thumbnail while trying to peel off the tape that was holding the cannula in place. Distracted by the sight of yet more bruises running up her arms, she sucked in a sharp breath when she noticed dark blood on the front of the gown she was wearing.

  The nurse came back into the room carrying a jug of water and two tablets in a small plastic cup. Rushing over to the bed when she saw Josie teetering on the edge of the mattress, she put the items on the table and eased her back against the pillows, saying, ‘Try not to move around too much. If you need the toilet, I’ll fetch you a bedpan.’

  ‘I – I need to go home,’ Josie said, licking her dry lips. ‘My daughter—’

  ‘The police have spoken to her and she’s safe with her aunt,’ the nurse said, pulling the sheet over her legs before drawing the curtain around the bed. ‘Now stop worrying and try to relax.’

  Josie’s heart thudded painfully in her chest and the blood rushed to her head. ‘I’ve got to go home,’ she gasped, struggling to sit up again. ‘I need to see her.’

  ‘What you need is to keep still,’ the nurse said firmly, placing a hand on her arm to hold her in place. ‘You’re in no fit state to go anywhere, and Doctor Ross will be in to see you shortly, so—’

  ‘You don’t understand,’ Josie said, her voice rising in panic. ‘Holly hasn’t got an aunt. I don’t know who she’s with.’

  ‘Calm down,’ the nurse said patiently, holding her arm. ‘It’s perfectly normal to feel confused when you’ve suffered a trauma to the head, but things will start settling down if you relax and give your body a chance to heal. OK?’

  Josie did feel confused, but one thing she knew for certain was that Holly did not have an aunt. Not one that Holly knew of, anyway. No one from the past knew where they lived – Josie had made sure of that. And if she wanted it to stay that way, she needed to be very careful right now, because the last thing she needed was for the nurse to alert the police that something might be wrong and have them start digging. That would open a huge can of worms, and Josie couldn’t risk that.

  ‘Sorry,’ she murmured. ‘It freaked me out, waking up in here, but I’m OK now. It’ll be my, um, sister. Holly must have rung her and asked her to go round.’

  ‘That’ll be it.’ The nurse smiled and patted her shoulder. ‘Now let’s get you comfortable.’

  Resting against the pillows after the nurse had raised the back of the bed up, Josie swallowed the tablets and then gulped the water down to douse the flames in her throat.

  ‘Better?’ the nurse asked, taking the tumbler from her hand and placing it on the table.

  ‘Yes, thanks. How long have I been here?’

  ‘A few hours,’ the nurse said, gazing at the watch that was pinned to her tunic as she checked Josie’s pulse.

  ‘Can’t you tell me what happened? Everythi
ng hurts. Was I run over?’

  ‘The police will explain when they get here.’

  Someone on the other side of the curtain gave a small cough as the words left her mouth, and she smiled when she pulled it back and saw two police officers standing there.

  ‘Speak of the devil,’ she said, waving for them to come in. ‘PC Spencer?’ She looked at each of the men in turn.

  ‘That’s me,’ Spencer said. ‘And you’re Lorraine?’

  ‘I am.’ She smiled. ‘And this is Josie.’

  Josie sank lower in the bed and eyed the officers warily.

  ‘Try not to overdo it,’ Lorraine said quietly to Spencer. ‘She was a bit confused when she woke up.’

  ‘We won’t keep her long,’ Spencer promised.

  Lorraine gave Josie one last look then left them to it, swishing the curtain shut behind her. Spencer pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down. He introduced himself and his colleague to Josie, and asked if she was up to talking to them.

  She nodded, her gaze flicking from him to PC Bennett, who had moved to the end of bed and was blatantly reading her notes.

  ‘Do you know what happened?’ Spencer began.

  ‘No,’ she murmured. ‘The nurse said you’d tell me.’

  ‘You were assaulted,’ Spencer said, watching her face closely as he spoke.

  ‘Assaulted?’ Her eyes widened in shock. ‘W-what do you mean? I thought I’d been run over. That’s what it feels like.’

  ‘A man attacked you in the alleyway leading off the estate,’ Spencer told her. ‘Some lads disturbed him and he got away. They weren’t able to give a description because his face was covered, but we hoped you might remember something.’

  A murky vision flashed into Josie’s mind and she closed her eyes and gripped the edge of the mattress when the bed lurched beneath her.

  It was pitch-dark in the alley and she didn’t want to go down there, but the bus was due . . .

  ‘Josie?’ Spencer’s voice cut into her thoughts. ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘I – I feel a bit dizzy,’ she mumbled.

  ‘Do you need me to fetch the nurse?’