He was asleep on our couch again, sprawled out like a lazy cat, not a drop of beer spilled on any of my best cushions. I’d taken the day off for some quality time with Tim, and instead, I was stepping over his mate Richie, who’d apparently decided to move in. “Don’t worry about it, it’ll wash off,” Tim said, heading for the kettle. “I’ve just made a brew for me and Richie.
Do you want one? ”
“Oh, did you tuck him in last night and read him a bedtime story as well? ”
“I’m just trying to be a good host. He’s our guest after all.
”
“No, Tim. He’s your guest. I never asked him to take residency on our couch. ”
“He’ll hear you.
”
“Then maybe he’ll get the message and go back to his wife and family like he ought to. ”
“It’s complicated, I told you. ”
“I don’t care, Tim. I took today off so we could have some quality time together and maybe even a bit of afternoon delight if you were up for it.
”
Richie’s voice came from the sofa. “Is it proper Catholic? I’m well up for a bit of afternoon delight. ”
Tim laughed.
“I’ll have a word with him and make sure he realizes it’s a one-night only offer. ”
“Good. ”
“Right, I’ll go and give him his tea. ”
“No, I’ll give him his tea.
Wakey, wakey. Rise and shine. Tea? Here you go, boys.
”
Richie’s son sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Thank you. Is me dad not joining us? ”
“Uh, no.
He had to leave early this morning for work. He had some work to sort out there. ”
The phone rang later that morning. I didn’t think anything of it when I picked it up.
“Hello. ”
“Maria Connor? ”
“Speaking. ”
“It’s the police.
Can we have a word, please? At the station. ”
That was how it started. A polite request that turned my stomach to ice.
I thanked them, hung up, and went through the motions of the day, waiting for the moment I could slip away without raising suspicion. Meanwhile, Tim was having a word with Richie outside. “Listen, I just want to have a bit of a word with you. It’s been great seeing you and that, but Sally’s house proud and sleeping on the sofa’s not going to work.
”
“It’s all right. I get it. Appreciate you both putting me up, but I’m going to grab me bag when we get home. I’ll be out of here today.
”
“What are we doing about Rachel? Give it another go? ”
“No, no chance. We’ll just be at each other’s throats again.
It’s going to happen. Oh, whatever I do, she just winds it up. She’s in me face shouting. It’s like walking on eggshells.
”
“Some sort of counseling or marriage guidance or something to see if that works. ”
“Been there, done that. Honestly, if you got to… where can I go while you’re in there? I got me Liverpool massive.
I can crash in his for a bit and see what happens. ”
“What about Lucy? What do you say to her? ”
“Well, she knows how bad things have been recently.
Me and her are close. We pretty much tell each other everything, so don’t think it’s going to come as a surprise to be honest with you. ”
At the station, they sat me down and went through my statement again. The detective, Lisa Fleming-Swain, looked at me with that patient, knowing stare that made my skin crawl.
“I’m going to go through your statement again, and I’m just curious to know why you lied to us. ”
“I didn’t lie. I’ve been telling you the truth. ”
“Did you and Gary work together that night?
But you weren’t there, were you? And you know, just like we do, where he really was. Helping Sarah Platt cover up Theo Silverton’s murder. ”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know anything about that.
I was with him. I just… I’d had quite a bit to drink that night, and I fell asleep, so that’s why I can’t tell you any more than that. ”
“That’s convenient. ”
I kept my face neutral.
“Yeah, it is. ”
She leaned in. “He must really care about her, though. Sarah.
To risk everything for a lie like that. I mean, you wouldn’t just do that for anybody, would you? Only someone who means a lot to you. Or you were in love with.
I mean, does that not bother you? And not only that, but by getting you to give him a false alibi, it seems like he’s quite happy to risk you getting arrested for perverting the course of justice. He’s hardly what I’d call a keeper, are you going now, is he? So, why, Maria?
Why are you sticking up for him? ”
“I’m not. I’m not. I’m telling you the truth.
”
I left the station with my heart pounding. When I got home, Tim was still there, sitting at the table with his laptop. “Oh, yeah. I was just heading to the office.
So, I was finishing off some work at home. Everything okay? ”
“Kind of. Just got back from the station.
”
“Are you sure you’ve made the right decision representing Gary? ”
“Probably not, but it’s a job, isn’t it? Speaking of which, I was checking my emails. That paperwork you were meant to send to the court about the hearing next Friday, you didn’t send it.
”
“Are you joking? All right, yeah. I’ll… I’ll do it as soon as I get to the office. ”
“It’s too late.
We’ve missed the deadline. ”
“I don’t… I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. Look, please don’t think I’m having a go, but I’m worried about you.
”
“I’m fine. I’m just a bit tired. ”
“That’s what I’m worried about. You’re trying to help run Speed Dial, and it’s a really stressful job.
You’re spreading yourself too thin. You can’t keep going on like this. ”
“Well, what else am I supposed to do? ”
“I think you need to make a decision.
Speed Dial or the solicitors. You can’t do both. ”
My phone buzzed. I picked it up.
It was Bob. “Hello? You there? ”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.
What’s going on? Is everything all right? ”
“Oh. Bob, apart from being in this place, you mean?
Yeah, okay. Um… I just wondered if we could talk. ”
“Yeah, I’m listening. ”
“No, not on the phone.
I need to see you. ”
I hung up with a knot in my stomach. Later, at the salon, I ran into David. He looked as uneasy as I felt.
“Sorry, is this a bad time? ”
“No, you’re all right. I just had to rush out and get some lunch, that’s all. I had to lock the salon though, because Maria’s being questioned by the Rozzers.
”
“About Theo? ”
“What else? When Das was there and all. Gary, why?
”
“No idea. Doesn’t look good though, does it? No doubt we’ll probably hear about it soon. ”
“Listen, I know you’re worried about your mum, aren’t you?
I mean, we all are, but all we can do is just… just try and keep it together and be there for her. ”
“I know, but that’s the thing. I just… I don’t know what else I can do except look after Harry. That’s literally it.
”
“Have you ever thought about baking her a cake and sticking a file in it? Look, a boyfriend’s a plodder at the end of the day, isn’t he? And as much as I think he’s a tool, if anybody’s going to get her out of this mess, it’s… it’s him. ”
When Tim came back from dropping Richie off, he found me in the kitchen, staring at a text on my phone.
“Uh yeah, it’s from Lucy. Once and I don’t know when I’m going to be back. ”
“Are you sure about this? ”
“About what?
”
“Giving up on everything. Your marriage and your home. ”
“Well, not really. I mean, I just don’t want to go on this way.
It’s not good for any of us. ”
“Well, maybe it doesn’t need to be this way. I know things aren’t perfect, but what matters is… Sally and I have had some right barnies over the years, but you work through it, don’t you? Especially if you love that person.
”
“Do you? ”
“I love Rachel. ”
“Yeah. ”
“When we first got together, she was everything to me.
Didn’t want to be without her. Couldn’t stand all the blokes looking at her. I just wanted her to be mine. Used to have such a laugh.
Like proper cracking up at each other. And then… changed. ”
“Well, if it was like that once, maybe you could get it back. Ain’t it worth one last chance to see if you can work it out?
What’s the worst that could happen? ”
“Oh, you’re back. ” It was Gary, standing in the doorway. “Yeah, just so you know.
The number pulled you in as well, I waited for you. Come pick you up. ”
“Yeah, it’s fine. I got a cab.
”
“So, they’re not going to charge you then? ”
“No. ”
“Yeah, that’s brilliant, eh? ”
“No, don’t, Gary.
No, it’s not brilliant. Actually, far from it. You know, the police called here, and I had to lie to Liam and Jacob about what was going on. I’ve been questioned all morning, again, by Lisa Fleming-Swain, who still doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.
And even though they’ve not got proof, I could have actually been done for perverting the course of justice because of you. ”
“I know, and I’m sorry, babe. ”
“Yeah, well, sorry doesn’t really cut it right now, does it? What is it with you?
”
“What? ”
“You. I’m meant to be the big hero all the time. Gary Windass sweeps in yet again to save the day.
Never mind who else it affects. You know, you didn’t even tell me to my face what you were planning on doing. I just got a text. ”
“Well, yes, because I knew you’d try and talk me out of it.
”
“Yeah, I would have done. But it wouldn’t really have made any difference, would it? Not when it comes to her. ”
“To who?
”
“Oh, who do you think? Sarah. ”
“Oh, come on. ”
“No, don’t.
Right, before you accuse me of being paranoid again, do you want to know something else? Even Lisa said that for you to have done what you did, covering up for her, you must still have feelings for her. ”
“She’s wrong, all right? She’s wrong.
But I told you time and time again, yeah, that’s not what this was about. I promise you. Okay, I promise. Look, they’re not going to charge you, yeah?
That’s the main thing. That’s what matters. ”
“Is it? ”
He didn’t answer.
Later, David found his mum’s boyfriend, Bob, pacing outside. “I’ve been looking for you. ”
“Why? What have I done now?
”
“I heard that Gary handed himself in. I thought you said you weren’t going to make him do that. ”
“I didn’t. I didn’t have chance to talk to him.
He did it himself. If you’re asking if I’m sorry about it, I’m not, because this will help you in the long run. ”
“What’s going to happen to him? ”
“Who cares, Bethany?
”
“I care, and so will my mom. ”
“She rang me before. She wants me to go and see her. ”
“But why?
”
“Well, she wouldn’t say over the phone. ”
“Did she seem okay? ”
“Well, she seemed angry, to be honest, but do you know what? I don’t get it.
Because whatever Gary does, lies, breaks the law, covers up a murder, he still comes out smelling of roses. You forgive him, Maria forgives him, even your mom forgives him. But me? I’m the bad guy.
I’m done with this. ”
“Look, I don’t know why my mom did what she did, but I know that she loves you. And she wants to be with you. Okay?
”
Meanwhile, Sarah Platt was at the bistro, booking a table, the mask of normalcy slipping back into place. “So that’s a table for 10, 7:30 on Saturday. Okay, we’ll see you there. Bye.
”
Bob came in, looking grim. “Oh, you’ve been hanging out the washing then. ”
“How did you guess? That duvet that Richie slept in stank of ale.
”
“Oh, sorry about that. I’ve got something that might put a smile on your face. ”
“Not in the mood to. ”
“Gee, I’m not talking about that.
”
He handed her a bunch of flowers. “Aw, they’re lovely. ”
“Yeah, so are you. ”
“Get away from…”
“No, serious.
Listen to Richie talk about what him and his missus are going to do made me realize how lucky I am. How lucky we are that we found each other. ”
“Yeah, we are. So, is he on his way to his mate’s house now then?
”
“No, I dropped him off at home. ”
“Thought him and his wife were splitting up. ”
“Well, persuaded him to have another go, see what happens. Get some flowers and that, do a bit of groveling.
”
“Oh, that’s what this is all about, is it? And you think that that’s the way to win me over, is to bring me a bunch of flowers and do a bit of groveling. ”
“You haven’t seen me grovel yet. I’m good at it.
Really, really good. ”
“I’ll find a vase for these. ”
“Yeah, you better hurry up. ”
The next day, Sarah went to see Bob at the station.
She was still angry. “Well, you said you weren’t hurt too bad. ”
“That’s just bruising, isn’t it? It’ll go.
”
“Listen, I know you want to speak to me about something and I can tell that you’re still angry at me, but I just wanted to let you know that I never forced Gary to go down to the station and give his side of everything, okay? I wanted to tell him not to, but it was too late. ”
“You weren’t sorry that he did though, were you? ”
“No.
Because he lied to the police and he lied to everyone else. Covered up a murder. ”
“Listen, he did that to protect me. ”
“And why do you think I’m doing all this?
I’m trying to get you out of this flaming mess. I’m risking my career, I’m risking everything for you and your kids. And if the police know he was there that night and it was his idea not to call it in and it helps your case, which it will, I’m glad he spilled his guts. ”
“Even if it means that he gets sent down for helping me.
”
“You seem to be more worried about what happens to that loser than you are yourself. ”
“Well, yes, I am. I am worried about him. I’m the real… because they have family as well… but no actually… Okay, I am.
I am just… I’m just worried sick about you, about like what you’ve done trying to sort this out because of me. ”
“Is that right? Do you know what I think? You wanted me off.
Telling me to leave him alone. Even though it’s going to be a lot worse for you. I think you’re still in love with him. Aren’t you?
”
“What? ”
Back at the salon, David found his mum smiling to herself. “Someone’s looking very pleased with themselves. ”
“Nah, I wasn’t thinking about that.
Well, maybe I was a little bit. ”
“So why are you looking so smug then? ”
“Didn’t I ask you… it’s a nice feeling, isn’t it? Now that you’ve helped someone steer them along the way.
”
“You mean what you said to Richie about giving his marriage another go? ”
“Yeah. What happened with Will, you know, all that stuff? With Megan and just helping him see what she was really like.
Maybe I should retrain. ”
“As what? ”
“Well, a therapist. Motivational speaker or something.
”
“You might have left it a bit late for that. Takes a lot of work and time to become a therapist. ”
“It always seems impossible until it’s done. ”
“Did you make that up?
”
“No. It’s a quote from Nelson Mandela. ”
“Oh. ”
“Good though, isn’t it?
”
“It’s good. Oh. ”
“Oh, I’ve left his flipping wallet. ”
“You kidding?
”
“I’ll run and drop it off. I won’t be long. ”
Meanwhile, Bob had tracked Sarah down. He was furious.
“I can’t believe you’re asking me that after everything we’ve been through. ”
“Yeah, we’ve been through a lot, which is why I deserve an answer. It’s a simple question, yes or no? ”
“Is that why you went after him?
Because you got this like mad idea that you became obsessed with. Is that what this is about? ”
“It’s a simple question, Sarah. Come on.
Do you love him? ”
“No, I do not. I do not love Gary. I love you.
”
He sighed. “That’s… that’s why I asked to see you. So that I can… I can tell you face-to-face. ”
“To tell me what?
”
“This. Me and us… it’s over. ”
“All right. I don’t understand.
You just said that you loved me, so…”
“Yeah, I do. I love you. I love you so much. I do.
But I can’t… I can’t watch you jeopardize everything that you’ve worked for, and I can’t watch you do this to yourself. You never used to be jealous, ever. Like… no. Like you don’t trust me, and I can… I can see it in your eyes when you look at me.
And anything I ever say or whatever I tell you, you’re never going to believe a word I say, are you? I’m not… I’m not having a go because I get it. I know. I know it’s my fault.
But I can’t… I can’t do this anymore. I can’t… I can’t watch you throw your career away because of me. And come on. You know… you know as well as I do.
If I get sent down for this, you’re not going to be able to stay on the police force. A copper with a convicted murderer as a partner, that’s not going to work. ”
“Then I’ll get another job. ”
“So you could spend the rest of your life secretly blaming me.
No. I’m okay, thank you. I’ll pass on that one. I’m sorry.
I’m just… it’s over. Okay? You just need to like forget about me and move on. ”
“I don’t want to move on.
I want to be with you. I love you, Sarah. ”
“Well, it’s too late because I’ve made my mind up. Take care.
”
She walked away, leaving him standing there. Back with Tim, everything seemed fine for a moment. He’d dropped Richie off at home, flowers in hand for me, and I softened. “Well, you said you weren’t hurt too bad.
That’s just bruising, isn’t it? It’ll go. ”
But the peace didn’t last. Tim’s phone buzzed.
It was David. “You forgot your wallet in Nuneaton. All right. You’ve not had another row, have you?
Is that blood on your shirt? Where’s Rachel? ”
Tim’s voice went tight. “No, she’s in her room, mate.
She’s in the bath. ”
“What have you done? What have you done?
”
“I need you to…”
The line went dead.
