Baby Dear: a gripping psychological thriller

by Linda Huber

  ‘That was my fault. I was expecting the woman along the road and I let him in without checking who it was. I won’t do that again.’

  Julie looked at her thoughtfully. Even if Sharon did check, it would still be possible to get into the flats – look how she’d got in a few minutes ago. ‘Maybe you should phone the police. After all, Jeff threatened you, didn’t he?’

  Sharon leaned her elbows on the kitchen table and clutched her head.

  ‘I can’t remember his exact words. It was so scary, Julie. And I can’t phone the police without telling Craig first, can I?’

  ‘I suppose not.’ Julie sipped her tea, thinking fast.

  ‘Tell you what,’ she said at last. ‘Remember Max Sanders, the policeman who came to my flat? We could phone him and see what he thinks. That way we could find out the best thing to do without it being official.’

  ‘Okay. That’s a good idea.’ Sharon reached for a biscuit, and Julie saw with relief that the colour had come back into the other woman’s face.

  Julie made the connection, hoping Max wasn’t at work. To her relief, he picked up on the third ring.

  ‘Julie! How’re you doing?’

  Her heart-rate went up a notch. ‘Fine, thanks. I meant to call a couple of days ago, but you know… And now my friend Sharon has a bit of a situation on, and we don’t know if it’s a police matter or not. Could you help us with that?’

  ‘I guess. Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll tell you if she should go to the police. Is that what you want?’

  ‘Perfect.’ Julie put the phone on ‘speaker’ so that Sharon could listen in too. Briefly, she told the story of Jeff Horne’s visit.

  Max didn’t speak until she had finished. ‘I see. I think she should report the incident, but to be honest, it’s the kind of thing we often can’t do much about. He could deny the threats and Sharon can’t prove anything. But she should report it, then we’d go and see him, and hopefully that would be enough to frighten him off.’

  Julie listened, dismayed. ‘Right, thanks. Is it stalking, what he’s doing?’

  ‘It’s heading in that direction, though saying Sharon should give the baby up is a bit unusual. Tell you what – I’m on duty at five. If she calls the station then and asks for me, I’ll deal with it myself. Stay with her until we get there, huh?’

  Julie ended the call, feeling warm all over. Seemed like he hadn’t minded Sam monopolising their ‘date’.

  She hugged Sharon. ‘Chin up. Now we know what to do, and surely a visit from the police will bring Jeff Horne to his senses. I do think you should phone Craig now, though.’

  She went back to the living area while Sharon phoned Craig. Jael was asleep in the pram, arms stretched above her head. Julie reached out and touched the little cheek, marvelling at the long lashes and tiny nose. Imagine anyone thinking Sharon would give her child up. What a weird person Jeff Horne was. Could he have lost his own child, perhaps?

  ‘Craig’ll be here in ten minutes,’ said Sharon, coming up behind her to lift the baby. She sank into the sofa.

  ‘That’s good,’ said Julie. ‘I’ll get off to collect the kids when he arrives, then.’

  Craig appeared shortly afterwards, and to Julie’s relief he put both arms round Sharon and she let him, leaning on his shoulder for a moment before breaking loose and pulling a rueful face at him. This definitely wasn’t the time for them to continue their being-a-parent war.

  Loneliness crept through Julie as she texted Max that she was leaving Sharon with Craig. How good it would be to have someone to lean on, just sometimes. Well, she had Sam. Look how he’d been ready and waiting after school yesterday, after his grumpy morning. That was him taking care of her. And right now, she’d better go and collect him, or she’d be the late one. Silently, she patted Craig and Sharon’s shoulders and left them to it.

  Jeff

  Jeff wandered along the river pathway, hands stuck deep in his trouser pockets. The tourist boats were out in full force today, one steaming up the river, the other chugging along in the opposite direction en route for the weir, where it would turn, giving the occupants a prime view of rocks and spray. The pathway was busy too. He didn’t enjoy having to weave round pram-pushing mothers, dog-walkers and running children – what were these parents thinking? Didn’t they know how easily a child could fall into the water and drown? It was crass; there was no peace and quiet anywhere nowadays. Annoyance scorching through him, he stood back to let three chattering young women with babies in buggies pass. Every one of them was far too young to be a proper mother to those children. Where was the fairness here? Yobs and slappers having babies all over the bloody place while he and Caro…

  Jeff rubbed his eyes. Somehow, his interview with Sharon hadn’t gone as well as he’d thought it would. He’d imagined relief on Sharon’s part, dawning realisation that here was the answer to all her problems, happy smiles through tears of gratitude. But she’d been positively off-putting. Really quite rude, in fact; it had started his headache off again. Ingratitude always riled him. He extracted his sunspecs from his inside pocket and put them on. The world was too bright today.

  He couldn’t put a finger on it, but there was something odd about his life now. Something had changed; something was wrong – if anything more could be wrong. Caro wasn’t herself either. Last week she’d avoided him, hardly said a word. She’d been chattier this week, but that was all it was – chat. Neither of them had mentioned babies or hospitals. They were like two strangers having artificial conversations in the lobby of some anonymous hotel.

  Which was why it was terribly important to find a baby quickly, and Jael would be ideal. Right here in Bridgehead, even. It wasn’t as if Sharon was brimming over with motherly love and enthusiasm. She should be grateful to him.

  He massaged his head, kneading the tight muscles across his scalp. It was awful, this stiffness in his head, like a continual buzz in his ears except it wasn’t in his ears, it was behind his eyes. Maybe he was just tired.

  At least he’d be able to rest over the weekend. Now that he’d told Sharon what he was going to do, he could leave her to realise she wasn’t going to get a better offer. Yes, he’d go back on Monday, and if Sharon wasn’t agreeable, well – he would have to be more assertive.

  Determinedly, Jeff increased his pace, swinging his arms, and heard something clink in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a red leather key ring with three keys attached, and stared at it blankly. These weren’t his keys. But he had seen this ring quite recently… Today, in fact, yes, it had been on the small table by Sharon’s flat door. He must have lifted it on his way out. Had Sharon noticed? Probably not, or she’d have called after him. Oh well, he could give it back on Monday.

  He walked on to the bridge where he had the choice of continuing along the pathway, or taking a steep flight of steps leading to the end of the High Street. Jeff hesitated, then started up the steps. The car was still parked at Cybersonics. He would drive past and collect Caro from the salesroom on his way home. It wasn’t often he was able to spoil his wife like that, and maybe they could have a nice talk on the way home – a real talk. They would have to talk more when they had the baby home, and Caro would want to then, anyway. She would be a happy mother, like all the others on the estate. Jeff smiled, then stopped so suddenly a couple of lads behind him had to swerve past. He was forgetting – Caro was going out tonight, meeting a friend straight from work. Ah, well. At least he’d have peace and quiet at home.

  If only his head would stop buzzing. But he would pop into the chemist’s on his way. A packet of magic pills would soon put everything right.

  By quarter to five Jeff was home again, a couple of paracetamol inside him dealing with the worst of the headache, and a large wedge of Quiche Lorraine from the Puff Pastry waiting to be heated for his evening meal. He opened the fridge and reached for a beer, then decided against it and popped open a can of coke instead. It wouldn’t do to aggravate his head. He poured the coke into a glass and took it th
rough to the living room.

  They’d need to change a few things in here when the baby came home, he thought, wandering round the room. Those plants on the window ledge weren’t exactly toddler-friendly, and neither were the ornaments scattered about the bookshelves. But time enough for that. They would go on a lovely shopping expedition too, and buy everything a child would need. Caro would love that; it would make her happy again and that was all he wanted. Jeff sank into the sofa and reached for the TV remote.

  The doorbell rang while he was zapping through the channels, looking for something to distract him from the dreariness of Friday evening home alone with the remnants of a headache. Jeff lurched to his feet.

  Two uniformed policemen were towering on the doorstep. ‘Jeff Horne? We need to speak to you about a complaint that’s been made. Can we come in?’

  Frowning, Jeff held the door open, then led the way back to the living room. Had there been a problem at Cybersonics? He couldn’t think of anything, and Davie would have mentioned it if something had happened on his shift.

  The older policeman introduced himself and his colleague, and Jeff sat down in the armchair, waving the two men to the sofa.

  ‘Mr Horne, we believe you visited Sharon Morrison at Riverside Gardens this afternoon?’

  Jeff stared. Had Sharon reported her keys missing? ‘Yes. I took some flowers to welcome her home.’

  ‘That’s not how she saw it, sir. Did you threaten to take her baby?’

  Jeff pulled at his collar. ‘No! I – I’m a family friend and I–’

  ‘She doesn’t see you as a friend, Mr Horne.’

  ‘I am!’ Jeff began to sweat. What were they implying? ‘I only want what’s best for her and the baby, and she’s not–’

  ‘What’s best for Mrs Morrison and the baby is that you stay well away in future. You seem to have forced an acquaintanceship to be in contact with the baby. That’s very suspicious behaviour, Mr Horne and we don’t like it. Not one bit.’

  ‘No – you’ve got it wrong! She can’t–’

  The older policeman stood up, followed by his colleague. ‘A piece of friendly advice, sir. Stay well away from the Morrisons. And their baby. Is that clear?’

  His voice was hard as nails now and both men were glowering at Jeff. Nodding, he shrank into the sofa, unable to think of anything to say to redeem himself, his headache returning with a vengeance.

  ‘We’ll see ourselves out.’

  Jeff sat motionless as they left the house and drove away. As soon as the sound of the car had gone he leapt up, yanked the drinks cabinet door open and poured a large slosh of whisky into his coke. That stupid, stupid woman. How dare she… She had convinced the police she was in the right, and she wasn’t, she wasn’t.

  Jeff paced up and down with his whisky, heat filling his head and anger coursing through him. But he would get the baby. You only had to look at their two families to see who would be the better parents, and which the better home for Jael.

  He would win in the end.

  13

  Caro

  ‘Jeff? Jeff!’ No answer came and Caro stared at him, sprawled on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the TV where two sports commentators were discussing last week’s football results. Was that really so fascinating, or was Jeff away in his own world again? He was so strange at the moment – one minute he’d be talking about something completely everyday like the gas bill, then the next he’d be lost in a daydream, oblivious to everything around him.

  Caro tried again. ‘Jeff!’ She strode from the kitchen and stood in front of him.

  He blinked, then glared at her. ‘Huh?’

  ‘You know it’s Granny’s lunch tomorrow? We’re supposed to be there about half one.’

  He stared straight through her for a moment, then turned back to the TV. ‘Yes, yes…’

  Caro went back to the kitchen and shoved a mug under the coffee machine. This was scary. Something very strange was happening to her life. Had anyone else noticed how oddly Jeff was behaving these days? No one had said anything, but then, maybe they wouldn’t. Was he working as usual? A couple of times last week she had wondered if he’d actually been at work, but his hours were so irregular it was difficult to tell.

  And then there was last night.

  She’d gone for a pizza and then on to the cinema with Rachel, an old school friend she saw occasionally. When she arrived home again just after eleven, Jeff was sitting in the spare room, in the dark. Caro nearly died of fright; she’d sensed he was in the house but he hadn’t answered when she called his name – she’d had to search for him. He was terribly upset about something; his eyes were positively wild, but he’d only mumbled something about a headache. She’d been afraid to ask much about it. A few months ago, she’d have taken him in her arms and cuddled it out of him. But Jeff’s non-existent sperm had altered them both so much she didn’t recognise him anymore, and you couldn’t cuddle a stranger.

  Tomorrow. She would bring her feelings into the open when they came home from the birthday lunch. No way could she go on like this. Her life was brimming over with negatives – no marriage, no-baby. No Liam and Alfie. She had so much love to give a child. You couldn’t love a no-baby, but oh, she did, she did, and it was killing her.

  Julie

  Telephone in hand, Julie stood at her fourth-floor window and stared down to the street below. The Saturday morning rush was starting, with people tripping towards the High Street and the shops, or down to the river for a day’s relaxation by the water. A mixed crowd was going both ways – parents with variously-sized kids in tow, couples of all ages, and a lot of folk just by themselves. It was a real summer parade, t-shirts and tops in rainbow colours and even the odd picnic basket. Happy people, most of them.

  Julie sighed and hefted her phone. To phone Max or not to phone? The real question was – did she want Max in her life?

  Yes, she realised. That little flicker of attraction, the nervous, excited feeling she had when he was near – it was a long time since she’d felt like that. It must be worth taking a risk. And she wanted to know what was happening about Jeff Horne, too. And the dead boy from the library, what was going on there? Julie gripped the phone with now moist fingers and punched out Max’s number.

  The phone was answered on the third ring. ‘Julie! I was just wondering if it was too early to call you!’

  Julie laughed. ‘The same thought crossed my mind the second your phone started ringing,’ she said. ‘Um, I wanted to ask what’s happening about Jeff Horne? Were you able to talk to him about what he said to Sharon?’

  ‘The boss-man nailed me for something else, unfortunately, but two of the other guys went. Jeff said it was all a big misunderstanding, and of course Sharon can’t prove anything. But they were pretty severe with him, so hopefully that’ll be the end of it. Sharon’s going to warn her neighbours about letting people in at the front door of the building, too.’

  Julie nodded. ‘Good. Surely that’ll be the end of it.’

  ‘Yeah. Listen, why don’t we meet later for another walk in the park? I’m off all day and it’s great weather.’

  It didn’t sound as if Sam’s questions had put him off. Julie thought quickly.

  ‘Good idea. If we make it after lunch, I can drop Sam at his friend’s birthday party and then he won’t interrogate you to half to death again. I felt a bit guilty last time.’

  She could hear the smile in Max’s voice. ‘He’s a great kid, and Amy’s a treasure.’

  Julie took a deep breath. The way to any mother’s heart was through her children… She made the arrangements to meet Max and rang off. Wow, she was looking forward to her afternoon.

  Max was waiting at the swing park when Julie and the children arrived, and bounded across to meet them, his face bright. Oh yes, thought Julie, as he bent over the pushchair and tipped Amy’s nose. There was something between them, but… It was early days.

  Sam had a few minutes on the slide before they crossed the park and left him at his
friend’s house. Julie saw the interest on Ben’s mother’s face when she opened the door. It would be all round school on Monday that Julie Mayhew had another man in her life.

  ‘Rather her than me,’ said Max, taking over the buggy as they walked back towards town. ‘Hosting a kid’s party must be absolutely exhausting.’

  ‘It is,’ said Julie. ‘Second only to Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. If you’re lucky you get to sleep for three hours in between.’

  Max laughed, then went on more soberly. ‘It must be difficult, on your own.’

  Julie glanced up at him. ‘Sometimes it is,’ she said slowly. ‘But they both give so much back, and you know – you just do what you have to. I have to put them first.’

  Max squeezed her arm. ‘Let’s take things nice and slow, then.’

  They strolled down the High Street towards the river, and Julie asked about the boy who had died.

  Max shook his head. ‘Nothing new. His mates have been questioned, but they’re keeping shtum about who got the drugs from where. Oh, we know a couple of possible dealers, the kind that sell contaminated stuff to kids. But there’s no proof, and maybe there never will be.’

  Julie sighed. ‘Life sucks sometimes.’

  She looked across the road at Jeff Horne’s business as they went past. A noisy crowd of teenagers emerged from Cybersonics and ran off in the other direction.

  ‘You know, I think he really likes kids,’ said Julie thoughtfully, remembering how Jeff had looked at Sam. ‘Jeff Horne, I mean. Maybe something bad happened to him, something to do with a child, and he hasn’t got over it yet.’

  Max stopped walking. ‘You may be right, but if I were you I wouldn’t go anywhere near him, Julie. He’s definitely a bit more than your average weirdo, no matter what’s happened to him.’