Be Careful What You Wish For

by Vivien Brown

‘No, it’s not here.’ Madi had turned the flat upside down but there was no sign of the award. Or of her locket. Two things that had meant so much to her, for their sentimental value rather than any monetary one, and both gone.

  ‘Thank you, Miss Cardew. I think we have all we need here for the moment. We’ll be off and leave you in peace. Oh, and I’ve heard that Miss Harris has just woken up, you’ll be pleased to know. I’m going to see her now, so hopefully we’ll have more information soon, assuming her memory is intact. Don’t hesitate to call me if you find anything or think of anything that might help us with our investigation.’

  ‘I will. Just one question though … Do you think it was a targeted attack? As so little was taken, it can’t have been a random burglary, can it? There’s no mess, no drawers pulled out, no vandalism. And no sign of a break-in. Either she let them in or someone must have had a key. Was the attacker after Prue, do you think? Or could they have been looking for me?’

  He couldn’t answer that. Nobody could. But it was a worrying thought, that she – or poor, sweet Prue – might have enemies, someone who wished them harm.

  Madi watched as the tape was removed and the flat reverted from a crime scene to a home. She closed the door after them all and sat down, finally allowing herself to close her eyes and breathe. Her thoughts were taking her to places she really did not want to go. It was all too much to take in. That she had been living here, right above Jeremy’s family, without knowing who they were.

  They had a key to her flat. And Suzy was so upset, so hurt. She really seemed to hate her. Enough to have done this, maybe? Invaded her space, stolen from her, hurt an innocent girl who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

  No, she mustn’t jump to conclusions. Suzy was upset, but that didn’t make her violent or a would-be killer. And she was blind, for heaven’s sake. No, she must let the police do their job. They had heard the conversation, all of it, and they would be asking questions, the right questions, not just guessing at things the way she was. Besides, there were other keys to her flat. Too many, when she thought about it. George still had one, even though he’d not used it in years, and that surely meant that his wife had access to it as well – the wife he had fallen out with not so long ago. And Prue had a key, of course. And there was a spare too, that Madi kept in a kitchen drawer. Betty from next door had borrowed that key when Madi had first come home from the hospital after her mastectomy and had just wanted to sleep. Betty had used it to let herself in, not wanting to disturb the patient, when she’d been out to get Madi some shopping or to pick up her prescriptions from the chemist. Had she ever returned it? Madi couldn’t remember. She went into the kitchen to check, and yes, it was there in the drawer where it belonged.

  She really must stop trying to be some kind of amateur sleuth. The police would get to the bottom of things soon enough. For now, she had other things to be getting on with. Faith and Stuart would be here soon and she still needed to make up their bed, and change the sheets on her own. Madi just hoped they would be bringing good news with them because it was Prue who mattered the most right now.

  Chapter 37

  PRUE

  ‘Prue?’

  When she opened her eyes, she felt a lot better, clearer in the head. Joe was sitting beside her, holding her hand.

  ‘Still here?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘What time is it?’

  ‘Ten past eight. Visiting hours are over.’

  ‘So how come …?’

  ‘I sweet-talked the nurse, told her I’d come a long way, promised I’d be quiet. Your mum and dad have just gone. They didn’t want to wake you, but they needed a change of clothes and a bit of sleep, now that they know you’re okay. Miss Cardew said they could stay at hers. Your mum’s shattered. It’s been hard for her, seeing you so poorly. They’ll be back first thing.’

  ‘Great. Could you pass me a glass of water, please?’

  He poured some from the big plastic jug on the tray at the foot of the bed, and held the tumbler to her lips.

  ‘What exactly …?’

  ‘Happened to you? Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but the police are doing their best to find out who did this. It was someone at the flat where you were staying, some sort of intruder. Someone you let in, or who was already there. Maybe you disturbed him, and he hit you. You’ve already told the police that you don’t remember anything about it.’

  ‘Have I? I don’t even remember doing that.’

  ‘Just an hour or so ago, but you were still very groggy. They’ll be back again once you’ve rested.’

  ‘Am I all right? Not going to die or anything?’

  ‘A head wound, bruises, concussion, scalded skin in places. You were holding a boiling kettle, apparently. You’ve been very lucky it wasn’t a lot worse, but I can assure you you’re not going to die. A tough cookie like you … it’ll take more than a bump on the head. And do you really think your parents would have left you here alone if that was on the cards?’ He attempted a laugh but it came out more like a sob.

  ‘Why are you here, Joe?’

  ‘I had to come. I care about you.’

  ‘Care about me? What exactly does that mean?’

  ‘We’re friends, aren’t we? Good friends. That counts for a lot. To me anyway. We’ve known each other for ever, Prue. Been through so much together, good times and bad. You’re like the sister I never had, the one I wish I’d had.’

  ‘I know. Same here. About you being like a brother, I mean. Shame we confused it with something else, isn’t it?’

  ‘I do love you, you know. Always have. But just … not like that, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘I’m beginning to.’

  ‘Maybe this isn’t the time to talk about this?’

  ‘Why not? We’ve put it off long enough, don’t you think? The big conversation. The why you never loved me like that. Why we’re not meant to live happily ever after …’

  ‘I’m not sure you’d really want to hear it.’

  ‘Try me.’

  ‘Maybe not now. You’re tired, hurt …’

  ‘Yes, now. And this is only physical hurt. It will heal. What you caused me was more like mental hurt, emotional hurt. Have you any idea how badly my confidence has been knocked over the last few years? For heaven’s sake, Joe, I had a boyfriend who went off to uni and then worked miles away and who seemed really reluctant to come back, one who hardly touched me when he did. It didn’t feel like love, not proper love. You weren’t ripping my clothes off or looking like you wanted to. And when we did … you know … where were those fluttery feelings I knew we were supposed to feel? They weren’t there, were they?’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘All I really wanted was … what Sian had.’

  ‘Ralph, you mean? You wanted my brother?’

  ‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Stop comparing yourself with Ralph. It’s not about Ralph. None of it is. No, what I wanted was romance, passion, lust! It was never really there, was it? I needed you to really want me. Fancy me. Have trouble keeping your hands off me. But you didn’t. And in my head that had to be my fault. I wasn’t pretty enough, sexy enough, maybe even clever enough, especially once you’d gone and got your degree. I was just plain old Prue, country girl, and coming back to be with me wasn’t enough for you. I wasn’t enough for you …’

  Joe gripped her hand, pulling it up to his lips and holding it there. He closed his eyes. ‘So, how was proposing meant to help? Did you think a wedding ring on your finger – and on my finger – would change all that?’

  ‘I don’t know what I thought. That it might change you, I suppose. But I was just burying my head in the sand. Pretending. Trying to make you be someone you’re not. I just wanted to shake you into doing something. Anything. So, tell me. What went wrong with us? Why was it a “no”? Why was it always only ever going to be a “no”?’

  ‘Because … oh, this is so hard.’

  ‘Just tell me, Joe. I’
m tired now. Tell me, or go.’

  ‘All right. All right. It was going to uni. Suddenly feeling free of my old life, free to do what I wanted without being watched or judged. It was like a light being switched on. I could be me. For the first time. The real me. And that was because of Jake.’

  ‘Jake? Your flatmate?’

  ‘More than that, Prue. Jake was … is … much more than that. We grew close, spent a lot of time together. It just sort of came out of that really.’

  ‘What did? Do you mean that you and Jake …?’

  ‘Are you shocked? Look, Prue, you’re the first person I’ve told. The only person. And I’m not finding it easy.’

  ‘You and Jake? Well, I didn’t see that coming. But I’m not shocked exactly. Surprised, though. Go on, you’ve started now, so tell me. All of it. I’m not going to get upset, believe me. If that’s who you are, what you want …’

  ‘It is, and I am so sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be. It’s a relief really. That the not fancying me stuff had a reason. That it wasn’t me being … inadequate.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. You’re gorgeous. Just not my sort of gorgeous, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘Okay …’

  ‘So, after uni, Jake went back home, up to Leeds. I wanted to be with him. I found a job up there, to be near him, but I was so scared to bring him home to Shelling, to introduce him to my dad, to have to tell him … and you. I was in denial. Hiding. I didn’t know how to admit the strength of what I was feeling, to anyone. Even to me. And in the end Jake just had enough of it. If I couldn’t walk down the street holding his hand, if I couldn’t come out and tell my family who he was, and who I was, then we were over. So I chucked my job in and I came home to Shelling, and tried to fit back into my old life, and back in with you.’

  ‘That was never going to work, was it?’

  ‘Probably not, but I thought if I tried … Jake’s not like me, you see. He knows what he wants. He’s very upfront, very open. Nothing scares him. And everything … everything scares me.’

  ‘Oh, Joe, you idiot. You could have saved us both so much aggro if you’d just told me. Been honest with me. And is it over, with Jake?’

  ‘I thought it was, but I couldn’t get him out of my head. We’ve met up again a couple of times recently. He’s been staying in Norwich, on a work thing, and he’s been over to my place once or twice. I think there might still be a chance, you know. Because it’s still there, Prue. The spark …’

  Prue’s mind flickered to Simon and, yes, she did know.

  ‘Then get out of this hospital and go get him! It doesn’t matter what your dad thinks, or your brother, or me. If you love this guy, you have to tell him. You’ve got a lot of friends who care. And a dad who loves you, even if you’re both too stubborn to sort out your petty differences.’

  ‘So, you’re not heartbroken then? About us? Or there not being an us?’

  ‘Honestly? No. I think we both have a great future to look forward to, but separately, eh? We were brilliant as mates, just not so hot at pretending to be anything else.’

  ‘Hello?’

  They both turned towards the door and Prue felt her pulse speed up a notch just at the sound of the voice. Simon! As if just thinking about him had conjured him up.

  ‘Is it all right to come in? The nurse says I can only have five minutes. Visiting’s over, apparently.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I’ll leave you to it.’ Joe stood up, looking awkward.

  ‘Thanks for coming, Joe. I love you, you do know that?’

  He came closer to the bed and leant down to kiss her goodbye. ‘Love you too.’

  ‘Simon, this is Joe, one of my oldest and dearest friends. And Joe, this is Simon, my …’

  ‘Boyfriend?’ Simon said, holding out his hand to shake Joe’s and looking at Prue inquisitively. ‘If she’ll have me, that is.’

  Oh, I’ll have you, all right, Prue thought, gazing at Simon as those wonderfully unfamiliar butterflies flipped around in her tummy again, nineteen to the dozen. Just as soon as I’m out of this hospital bed, I’m definitely going to have you …

  Chapter 38

  MADI

  When Prue’s parents arrived, they both looked shattered.

  ‘Oh, Faith, I am so sorry,’ Madi said, pulling her friend in for a hug as Stuart dumped their hastily packed overnight bag on the floor and sank into a chair.

  ‘She looks so pale, Madi, but she’s going to be okay. No lasting damage, brain-wise anyway, although the burns might leave some superficial scars. She did wake up a couple of times, briefly, so we’ve spoken to her, which puts my mind at rest no end. The police have been too, but she doesn’t remember much about what happened. She just needs time now, and plenty of sleep. As do I! We’ve left Joe with her. Poor boy drove straight up when he heard. He wanted to hang around as long as they’d let him, but I don’t suppose she’ll even know he’s there. He was talking about a B&B if he didn’t get to talk to her tonight, so he can see her again tomorrow. He’s a good lad.’

  ‘Do you think she’ll want to see him, after …’

  ‘Failed romance or not, Madi, they’ve known each other since school. She won’t turn him away. Which reminds me, I need to let Sian know what’s happening too. She’ll be worried sick.’

  ‘A cup of tea first though, eh? And I’ve only been home a matter of hours myself so I have no idea what I can offer you in the way of food. Whatever Prue’s left behind, I suppose, or something from my freezer.’

  ‘Don’t go to any trouble, Madi. We’re all tired. Maybe there’s a takeaway or something we could order in? Our treat, for putting us up.’ She followed Madi into the kitchen. ‘Is that … the kettle that was …’

  Madi hadn’t given it a thought as she’d filled it with water and flicked the switch on. ‘Oh, I suppose it must be. It’s the only one I’ve got.’

  ‘I would have thought they might have taken it away, as evidence or something.’

  They both stared at it as it began to boil, its blue light highlighting the bubbles as they bounced around inside.

  ‘I just don’t understand how this has happened. Or why.’ Faith stood leaning against the wall, her arms folded tightly around herself. ‘My Prue wouldn’t hurt a fly …’

  ‘I know.’ Madi pushed down the awful thought that it was all her fault, that she should never have let Prue stay here when there was some maniac about, someone whose anger was more than likely aimed at Madi, not at Prue. ‘Poor kid.’

  ‘And she only came back here yesterday to have a last bit of fun, to finish her adventure. If only she’d stayed at home with us, where she belongs.’

  ‘We can’t tie our kids down, Faith.’ She swallowed the lump in her throat as she thought of George and just how much she needed him right now. ‘They have to live their own lives.’

  ‘Oh, I know. I’m just having one of those what-if moments. What if she’d never come to London … and now she’s talking about moving here full-time, studying here. Doing a photography course. I shall worry myself sick the whole time, especially now.’

  ‘I didn’t know that. But she does have talent. Surely, if it’s for her career …?’

  ‘Yes, and I won’t try to stop her, obviously. Doesn’t stop me fretting though, does it? Now, come on, let’s have that cuppa and ring Sian. Then you can fish out a takeaway menu if you have one.’

  Madi remembered the piles of them that constantly built up in the hall downstairs. ‘Oh, I think I can manage that,’ she said.

  ‘Mum! Are you all right?’

  Madi stood at the door early the next morning, still wearing her pyjamas, and looked into the face of her son.

  ‘George?’ Was it really him? It was as if her longing to see him had actually conjured him up. She had to blink a few times to convince herself she wasn’t dreaming. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘It’s all over the papers.’

  ‘What is?’

  ‘The attack on that young
girl, right here at Belle Vue Court.’

  ‘Oh, it’s just so awful.’ She could hear the sob in her voice, but it wasn’t for Prue. It was for George, whom she had so badly wanted to see.

  ‘They didn’t say which flat, but it didn’t take a genius to work it out. A top-floor flat. Staying at the home of an actress. How do they get access to all this stuff?’

  ‘I have no idea. No reporters have been here as far as I know. Unless …’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Stan. That old busybody downstairs would sell his own mother given half the chance. He has his nose into everything. He’d have seen the police, the ambulance, probably even watched poor Prue being carried out. You can bet your life he’d be more than happy to talk.’

  ‘Well, I hope they didn’t pay him anything, the bloody ghoul! But what’s been going on here, Mum? Who was this girl and why was she here?’

  ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you, but come on in, George. Please. Let’s not give Stan any more to gossip about. He’s probably down there right now, listening up the stairs with his notebook out!’

  It felt strange having her son back, large as life, in her living room. He had lived here as a child, in between long stays with his grandparents, but he had moved out as a young man, and she couldn’t remember the last time he had visited. It must be at least a year ago. It felt even stranger when he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. But nice. Oh, so nice …

  ‘I was so worried. Are you sure you’re okay? You feel thinner. You haven’t been dieting for a part?’

  ‘No. Not everything in my life is for a part. I’m just thinner, that’s all.’

  He pulled back and looked at her more closely. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’

  ‘I could say the same to you. Not a word in months. I have no idea what’s been happening in your life either. And Jessica? You said she’d left. Are you …?’

  ‘We’re working on it, Mum. And she came back, which is what counts.’

  ‘Not divorcing then?’

  ‘Oh, God, no. I love her, Mum. And she loves me. It’s just the baby-making thing, you know. Hospitals, tests, embryos, failure … all the stress of it, not to mention the cost. It took its toll. On both of us. Some days I just wanted to bury my head under the covers and never come out.’