Tim snorted, the sound bitter and hollow in the quiet bedroom. “If you want one last try. Now, why don’t you sign up for some marriage counseling or get yourself some therapy? ”
“No, it’s just crack on there, Rachel,” he muttered, his voice thick with a self-loathing he didn’t bother to hide.
“I’d carry on with the same mistakes. If you could call murder a mistake. ”
Across the room, the woman in the bed watched him, her face unreadable in the half-light. “How could you know that he was capable of that?
”
“What, taking advice from his know-nothing cousin? Solving his wife’s head in. Self-defense or not. ”
He let out another snort, a dry, dismissive sound that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Without one last try, Rachel would still be alive. ”
—
The words hung in the air like a verdict. Tim saw the flicker of doubt, the question she didn’t dare ask. He wasn’t talking about saving his own marriage anymore.
He was talking about a woman named Rachel, and the man who had ended her life after being told to give his own marriage one last shot. The same man who was now out on bail, waiting for a trial that would tear another family apart. “Who is different? ” he asked, the question less to her and more to the ghosts in his own head.
“You had a garden. ”
The woman, Yianna, lifted her head from the pillow. “Yeah, a garden and no left foot. You were a natural and all-rounder.
”
“With no garden. ”
“With a park on your doorstep, loads of mates to play with. And a personal coach. Right, smelly kid in the washing basket.
”
He almost smiled. “Your fault. ”
She gestured at his leg, a phantom limb she knew all about. “Should you really be doing this?
You’re not going to be his footy coach for much longer. ”
“All right, rub it in. ”
“I’m sorry. This isn’t easy for me either, you know.
You should have seen his little face when I had to tell him that you guys were splitting up. ” She looked at him, her expression softening. “Any false hope, he’s going to grab onto it. ”
—
Tim moved to the bedroom door, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him.
“All right, I’ll be more careful. It’s just I’m in limbo at the minute. Now, you’re in my place and you’ve a couple of months before I can get them out. ”
Yianna followed him into the corridor of the flat that had once been his home.
“Look, I’m not trying to kick you while you’re down. This whole situation is really messed up. Mum’s flat, mum’s kids, you’ve got all of the burdens and none of the benefits. ”
“All right, Harry’s not a burden.
He’s my pal. He always will be. ” Tim’s voice softened, the mention of the boy easing some of the tension. “I’m not kidding myself about your mum, you know.
Her mind’s made up. But let’s just be a bit easy with Harry. You know, his life’s just been turned upside down. Nothing’s going to be the same for him.
It’s frightening for him. ”
—
The doorbell rang, and a few minutes later, Ruth, Tim’s sister, stood on the doorstep with a suitcase at her feet. “Ah, that is a nightmare for you, Ruth. As you know, we don’t have any room here cuz the girls are due back any minute.
Well, let us know when you find somewhere and I’m sure Tim will come and visit. ”
Ruth’s face fell. “Okay. Yeah.
Take care. Bye. ” She turned and walked away, the suitcase wheels rattling on the pavement. Tim watched her go, a knot tightening in his stomach.
He knew what that call had been about. He saw the message on his phone, the name flashing. He dialed the number, and a cold dread settled in his chest as he spoke to the social worker. “Lucy’s foster placement’s fallen through.
”
—
Yianna joined him, her tone weary. “Poor Ruth having to do some work, eh? ”
Tim shot her a look. “That’s enough of that.
” He rubbed his temples, the pressure building. “Do you know I’m feeling like your secretary at the moment? One minute I’m talking to social services and the next minute I’m talking to the police. Can you believe they’ve asked him to go back in?
”
“Who? ”
“Richie. The cousin. Rachel’s husband.
They’ve asked him to go back into the factory, like nothing happened. ”
Yianna leaned against the doorframe. “I just can’t stop thinking about it, Tim. Richie booked a Streetcars cab.
You know, what if it wasn’t an accident? What if it was a cry for help? ”
“I think you’re overthinking it. ”
“See?
Tim, come on. Give yourself a break. ”
“I just feel so useless,” he admitted, the words dragging out of him. —
Yianna reached out, her hand brushing his arm.
“Interested. ”
He almost laughed. “Buy their underwear. All right.
I’ve got to go. Let me know what they say, yeah? ”
“Look, please don’t. If that’s important.
”
“No biggie. ”
—
Later that day, Tim sat in the café, watching the door. Nick and Toya slid into the booth opposite him, their faces set with purpose. “I thought we’d come for coffee,” Nick said.
“What is this, an intervention? ” Tim asked, his guard going up immediately. Toya looked around the room. “Oh, well, if you are, can you take it outside, please?
Because this is positive vibes only in here. ”
Nick leaned forward, lowering his voice. “So, what? A friend of a friend of some chip fire thinks my fella’s a thug?
”
Tim frowned. “Oh, Gavin Fairholme’s a stand-up guy, mate. Friend of Yasmin’s and Deb from the golf club. ”
“Oh, you’ll be telling me Gav’s inside leg measurement next.
”
“How do you know him? ” Toya asked, her eyes narrowing. “He’s a friend of Yasmeen’s,” Nick said, “and Dev, who tries to run the corner shop. ”
Toya’s expression sharpened.
“Did he tell you we want 10K under the asking price? ”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “I mean, Ali’s found this out. Guilty as charged.
Had words with the fella. ” He turned to Tim. “It’s Muslim women in business, they get ripped off. ”
“Yeah, well, I mean, all women in business,” Toya said with a pointed look.
Nick grinned. “Listen to us being allies, eh? ”
“Yeah, man’s playing for England. ” Tim gestured at them.
“Look, the point is, Sam has been spending a lot of time at Speed Dock. ”
“Yeah, all right. They’re chalk and cheese, but they gel. And Sam’s been teaching him chess, and Idris is so gentle with him.
”
“Well, you wouldn’t know that cuz you’ve barely said 10 words to him,” Toya cut in, her voice flat. “He’s barely spoken 10 words to me,” Tim shot back. —
The tension at the table was broken by a familiar voice. “Ah, your ears burning?
”
Tim looked up to see Nick’s son approaching. “Singing my praises again. Never ends. ”
“Ah, Nick wants to take you for a drink.
He’s paying. ” The young man glanced at Tim, a sour note in his voice. “Just try not to act like a thug. ”
Tim’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
—
That evening, the flat was thick with unspoken accusations. Yianna was in the kitchen, and her son, Sam, was lounging by the fridge. “Honestly, you have done nothing but hold your hand out all holidays,” she said. “Well, I’ve got to eat,” Sam replied, his hand already in the biscuit tin.
“There’s a fridge full of food. ”
“My friends. ”
“Well, take a packet of crisps, an apple. ”
Sam pulled out a new jacket.
“I mean, where’d you get this? Imperial War Museum? ”
Tim walked in and did a double take. “All right, who jocks that?
”
“We like sushi,” Yianna said, holding up a tub. “Sushi? ”
“It’s protein. You were telling me not to eat junk.
”
“Go on, there’s a tenner in me wallet. ”
“No, don’t you dare,” Yianna snapped. Tim shrugged. “It’s got to be better than chocolate or cider, isn’t it?
”
—
The next morning, Tim walked into the café to find Yianna already there with her new friend, Cassie. Cassie was fussing over her eyebrows. “Thank you, granddad,” Sam said, appearing behind them. “Them eyebrows are a crime.
”
Yianna glowered. “That’s Cassie’s. ”
“What’s your mum do? Get them waxed?
” Tim quipped. “Get yourself a spray tan while you’re at it. ”
Cassie laughed, unfazed. “Can’t put a price on self-care.
”
Yianna put her cup down. “I gave that to her just before she left. ”
“Yeah, she threw it at me when she was getting out of the car,” Cassie said. “What?
” Tim asked, surprised. “I dropped her off at the station. ”
“You did? ”
“Yeah, she said she’d had a bellyful of all of you.
”
Yianna’s face clouded. “No, it’s mutual, isn’t it? ”
—
Tim was quiet for a long moment. “I didn’t know what to say.
” He looked at the counter. “Can I get a white coffee, please, nanny, with an extra shot? ” He turned back to them. “Better than that muck they serve at Weatherfield, Nick.
It’s all right, you don’t need to pretend. I know everybody’s juggling. I’ve got this cousin called Richie. ”
“Don’t worry, I mean, it’s not a reflection, is it?
” Yianna said. “It’s a bit complicated. He’s got this daughter, a teenage daughter who is orphaned, or as good as. Sorry, it’s a dreary for you.
”
Cassie shook her head. “No, no, I mean, I was lucky. ”
“Well,” Tim said, “look here, I found my guardian angel, or he found me. You know, I was evicted when dad died, sleeping rough, and I slipped right through the net.
Lord knows what would have happened, eh? But, was I grateful? ”
“Well, he’s any teenager. Look how you’ve repaired him, though,” Yianna said.
“No, Lucy’s right in the net. She’s got police, she’s got social services, she’s got safeguarding conferences, you name it. ”
“Me? Social short?
”
“But nowhere to call home. You know, I’ll have that coffee. ”
—
Carla, the café owner, approached, wiping her hands. “Have I upset you?
”
Tim shook his head. “No, no. Something you said. ”
Roy, who had been sitting quietly, cleared his throat.
“Tim, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. So, my mate Beatty, well, she works in our gallery in Whitby and got a vacancy. She thinks I’ll be perfect. ”
“You must apply,” Tim said.
“Yeah, but you know, I’ve got so much I should be grateful for. I’ve got the flat, great mates, you. ”
“A telltale should you have itchy feet. ”
Roy’s face broke into a smile.
“They’re festering. But you know what? I might not get the job yet, so. Milk and no sugar?
Biscuit? ”
“Oh, no, thanks. ”
“Waitress perks. ”
—
Cassie joined them.
“I like your marks, eh. ”
Tim frowned. “My what? ”
“Oh, must be a fella.
She can’t play it cool. ” Cassie turned to Yianna. “Hey, this one is nice and clever and funny and he doesn’t bang on about Bitcoin. Plus, he knows about my stoma and he wanted to take me out anyway.
Wanted today. ”
Yianna’s eyes lit up. “Oh. Hey, hey, why don’t you come with us this afternoon, now?
You know, a little big shot summer school. Glenda said. ”
Tim raised an eyebrow. “What, tap dancing and that?
”
“Oh, no, no, no. Like street dancing, you know, the old pop, lock, and drop, singing, a few fight sequences. But if you’d rather stop here and serve biscuits all day. ”
Carla gave a theatrical sigh.
“Right, well, I’ll leave her and get started on paperwork. ”
“Yeah, great, great,” Cassie said, already pulling on her jacket. —
Later that afternoon, Ruth appeared in the doorway of the café, a piece of paper in her hand. “Ruth.
Um, Petticoat Tails? ”
“Oh, save me one. I’m just nipping out to get a life saver,” Tim said, grabbing his coat. But Ruth was already moving toward the counter, her voice tight.
“Uh, it’s Lucy. ”
Tim stopped. “What? ”
“What?
You said you’d discuss this. ”
“Well, there’s nothing to discuss. It’s only a couple of weeks. She’s me flesh and blood, so she’s off and I can’t have her living on the streets.
”
—
The summer school was in full swing. A group of kids were warming up, and Tim stood at the back, arms crossed. “Right. You going to show us some moves?
” the instructor called out. “What? ”
“You can handle it. ”
Tim shook his head.
“I could do baby freeze back in the day. ”
“What then? Doomsday? ”
“Cheeky.
” Tim handed the instructor a pizza box. “Right, is pepperoni okay for you, Harold? ”
—
Later that week, the show was over, and Tim sat in the car with his stepson, Sam. “You all right?
Here you go. ” Tim handed him a bag of chips. “I even film it for plot chart, eh? ” Sam said, scrolling through his phone.
“Didn’t Glenda say she’d like to send you to a showcase for the families? Signed you up. It’ll be a summer school. ”
Tim’s face darkened.
“What are you missing? My whole last week. ”
“Well, you said you enjoyed it. ”
“Yeah, for a day.
”
“What about all them cute girls? Glenda said you’re a natural. ”
Tim’s voice hardened. “You can stick it.
”
“What did you just say? ” Sam asked, his tone sharp. “I’m not going. Well, you can’t make me.
”
“Hurry, I’ve got places to be. ”
“So what? ”
Sam’s face contorted with frustration. “Well, where else are you going to go?
”
Tim got out of the car. “Bye. Bye. ”
—
Sam got out too, shouting after him.
“Hurry, get back here. Hurry. Hurry, get back here. Hurry.
You’re going to sulk over there now, eh? ”
Tim turned around, his voice flat. “This isn’t sulking, Tim. ”
“Well, it looks like sulking.
”
“Shame. I’m ashamed for you for sneaking to Ruth behind my back over something so important. ”
Sam’s face flushed. “Your own meanness cuz you don’t want Lucy, but you don’t want to look bad.
”
“Exactly what you did over the fostering. ”
“Yianna’s right, wasn’t I? We made a massive difference to those kids. ”
“It’s true, you have.
Sometimes you just got to jump in with both feet. ”
“Oh, and to hell with what Lucy needs and what we can provide. ”
“Oh. All right.
If you really don’t want to do this. ”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll just slam the door in Lucy’s face, shall I? Sure.
”
—
Tim drove back to the café, his hands gripping the steering wheel. He found Cassie sitting alone, scrolling through her phone. “Ruth, Lucy,” he muttered, but she didn’t hear him. Cassie looked up.
“I’m sorry. I have just banged on about myself for about 10 hours. ”
Tim forced a smile. “Well, one, you were less than 10 minutes.
Two, you got a really interesting life. ”
“Mhm. That’s one word for it. ”
“And you’re funny, and honest, and far, far too down on yourself.
”
Cassie’s phone buzzed. “Did my mom pay you to say all this? ”
“Seriously, if I have to sit through one more humble brag, no, outright brag about how amazing some girl’s life is, and how she manifested the whole thing. ”
Tim’s face tightened.
“Don’t get me started on manifesting. ”
Cassie paused. “Did you not manifest me? ” She covered her face with her hands.
“I’m sorry. I do not know why I just said that. ”
—
For a moment, the tension broke. Cassie laughed, a light, genuine sound.
“I am just not really used to guys asking questions. Apart from ‘I’m starting a podcast, would you listen to blah, blah, blah, boring idea that’s been done a million times. ’”
“I’m starting a podcast,” Tim said flatly. Cassie burst out laughing.
“Are you? ”
“So, what are you into then? ” he asked. “To toot my own horn, I’m a pretty good cook.
”
“Oh, yeah. Well, with a name like ‘Roman,’ I bet you’re very good at making pasta. ”
“Oh, this will sound like a humble brag, but if I do it, I do it properly. Farmer’s market first thing.
Pasta from scratch. The sauce is decent enough, but the basil, not fresh. ”
“I hate him,” Yianna said, appearing behind them. “It’s supposed to be the holidays.
”
“Who’s this? ” Tim asked. —
Yianna held up her phone, showing a video of Harry, Tim’s young son, sitting alone on a bench. “Um, my little brother, Harry.
I thought you were having fun. Glenda sent me a video. ”
“Yeah, for one afternoon, not the whole holidays. I want to be with my mates.
This is worse than school. ”
Before Tim could respond, Harry appeared in the doorway. “I’m really sorry. ”
“I’ll go crying to Bethany.
She doesn’t offer you,” Tim said. Harry’s face crumpled. “Oh, shut it, will you? You’re not the boss of me.
”
“Well, your mom’s not here. I am. Come on. ”
“You’re not my dad!
” Harry shouted, his voice cracking. Tim’s voice was low and sharp. “Well, your dad would have been bothered to take you to summer school. ”
“Why not?
”
“Cuz he’s dead. ”
The words hung in the air. Harry’s face went pale, then red. “Oh.
Didn’t mean that. I’m sorry. ”
“No, you’re not,” Harry said, his voice shaking. “It was a snide thing to say.
Come on. ”
Harry’s chin trembled. “Glad my mom binned you off. ”
—
Toya appeared in the doorway.
“Is everything all right? ”
“Oh, come for a nose, have we, Toya? ” Tim snapped. “Okay, we need to go,” Toya said, looking at Harry.
“Do we? I mean, do we? ”
“Well, don’t leave on my account,” Tim said. “This is family business.
I’m sorry, Roman,” Toya said to Cassie, pulling Harry out the door. “Listen, I’ll pay,” Tim called after them. “No, no, just leave it. ”
Cassie looked at him.
“Are you coming back? ”
“Um, no. You can have mine. Just put it in a doggy bag.
” Tim walked out, the door swinging shut behind him. —
Ruth met him in the car park, her face drawn. “You want me to take that off for you? Sorry.
”
Tim shook his head. “While you’re here, our home is your home. ”
“Yeah, you’re family. ”
“Do you want a hand unpacking your stuff, Lucy?
” Tim asked, but Ruth didn’t answer. “Are you warm enough? Cuz I can turn the heating up,” he pressed. “She’s wearing a hoodie,” Ruth said flatly.
“It was a dance. ” Tim sighed. “Look, you’ve got my number and the out of hours crisis number. But our whole life has gone forever.
Do we admit that or do we just pretend everything’s rosy? ”
Ruth looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. “No. But you can gently reassure that things will get better.
”
“You can do that. You’re more skilled than you think, Sally. ”
“Yeah. That’s what I said.
”
“Yeah, all the same. ”
—
The next morning, Sally, the social worker, was waiting for Tim at the café. “It’s a short emergency placement. If we thought you couldn’t cope, we wouldn’t ask.
”
“Yeah, it’s a vote of confidence,” Tim said, his voice flat. “I know you’ve had your doubts, Sally, but however nervous you feel, just imagine what it’s like for Lucy. I’ve every faith in you. ”
Sally let out a nervous snort.
“Yeah. ”
—
Tim’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. He answered it. “The person you are calling is unable to take your call.
”
“Voicemail again,” Ruth said from behind him. “That’s your mom. That’s three messages I’ve left her now, plus a text and a WhatsApp. You don’t think she’s had her phone robbed, do you?
”
“Found it, more likely,” Ruth said. “You sure you haven’t had any messages? ”
“You heard, she’s washed her hands of us. ”
“Yeah, well, so Russ says.
”
“Well, why would he lie? ”
“I don’t know, Ty, but…”
“Look, if you’re doing it for my benefit, then don’t bother. It’s Cassie’s not worth the effort. Did you give her a knock?
”
“I shouted. Maybe she’s got headphones in. ”
“Maybe she’s not hungry. ”
“And well, I didn’t want to go in.
”
“Oh, look, let me try. ”
—
They found the bedroom door locked. Tim jiggled the handle, then forced it open. The room was empty.
The bed was made, but a hoodie and a backpack were gone. “So, do we just like—” Ruth started. “Act normal, yeah. Well, as normal as you can when somebody’s walked in on their mother being murdered.
”
“Tim, she’s gone. Case, hoodie, backpack. ”
“Well, she can’t have been here all the time apart from when I nipped out to get some milk. ”
“And I brought the washing in.
Well, she wouldn’t take a case, would she, if she was going to do something stupid? ”
“I never thought of that. Well, then you stay here in case she comes back. ”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I’ll ring. ”
“Yeah. ”
—
Sally’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and saw the screen.
“It’s phoned a million times. You okay, hon? It’s like you’re talking. I might, too.
I’ve been line taming all day. 25 stars of the future all fighting for the limelight, and guess how many can actually dance? ”
“Six,” a voice on the other end said. “Glass half full kind of girl, aren’t you?
Honest answer? Three and a half. Brett’s got two left feet, but one of them’s got rhythm. ”
Sally looked out the window.
“You have anywhere nice? ”
“She’s at the bus stop, Sal,” Tim said, his voice urgent. —
Tim and Ruth found Lucy sitting on the bench at the bus stop, her hoodie pulled up, a backpack at her feet. “Lucy, you scared the living daylights out of us.
”
Lucy looked up, her eyes red. “Did he see you slip out? ”
“No. Wish I was.
”
“Lucy’s Tim’s niece. She’s staying with us for a few weeks,” Sally said. “Yeah. That niece.
”
“Yeah, well, you’re in good hands. I’ll take care, kidder. ” Tim reached out, but Lucy flinched. “All right.
”
“Where are we going, love? ” Tim asked. “Not back home. ”
“I heard what you said to the social worker.
I’m too much. ”
“Well, that’s not what we meant, love. We want you to stay. ”
“Our hearts are broken for you, and anything we can do to support you and your lovely mum.
” Tim’s voice faltered. Lucy looked at him, her expression unreadable. “Did you know my mum? ”
“Well, that doesn’t mean to say we don’t care.
”
“I just wanted to feel safe. ”
—
They drove back to the flat. Lucy followed Tim up the stairs, her footsteps slow and heavy. He stopped at the door and turned to face her.
“Come on. I know you’re here under duress, but I just want to make Leanne happy. ”
Lucy’s voice was flat. “Yeah, well, I’m in jail, and some of them come as a package, don’t they?
”
“Great kid. There’s not a bad bone in his body,” Sam said, appearing in the hallway. “Mm, we want to keep it that way,” Tim said. Inside, a man was standing in the living room.
Gavin. He looked at Tim, his face set. “So, your friend who put the offer on speed dial, um, Gavin? ” Tim asked.
“He’s a friend of Yasmeen’s, and Dev, who tries to run the corner shop,” Gavin said. “Did he tell you we want 10K under the asking price? ”
“I mean, Ali’s found this out, you know, guilty as charged. Had words with the fella.
It’s Muslim women in business, they get ripped off. ”
“Yeah, well, I mean, all women in business,” Tim said. “Listen to us being allies, eh? ”
Tim’s phone buzzed.
He glanced at it, then back at Gavin. “So, what was he on about? You marked his card about Sam. ”
“Yeah, but no way, mate,” Gavin said.
“Classic helicopter parent. Well, do you know what? He must be doing something right. He’s managed to tame the dragon.
”
“Mm, good luck to her. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. ”
—
Tim walked out of the room, leaving Gavin standing there. He found Lucy in the kitchen, picking at a plate of food.
“You hungry? Waste. You’ll get your appetite back. ”
“I’ll have it,” Lucy said quietly.
“It’s like human beings got hollow legs. ”
“Same. I’ll feel bad once I’ve seen my dad. ”
Tim’s face tightened.
“That’s not going to happen, sweetheart. Your dad did a terrible thing. ”
“Yeah, there’s going to be um a trial. Evidence, and you need protecting.
”
Lucy’s eyes blazed. “I was there. ”
“Yeah, so was everyone you got arrested. ”
Lucy slammed the plate down, her voice rising.
“You nothing to me, so stop pretending. I’m visiting. And you can’t stop me. ”
She turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Tim standing alone in the kitchen.
The door slammed behind her.
