“Poor Karen,” John nodded. “She’s lucky you were there to help out the last while.”
“Yes, after Steve’s arrest, she begged me to stay and help her in his place — I was planning to continue just until the case was finished,” Victoria replied, “but she was so overwhelmed with work that she asked me to carry on until she had a chance to breathe or until someone was appointed to assist her. Things seem to be quietening down now,” she added.
“Oh. Right. That’s good. I suppose.”
“I suppose.” Victoria paused. “It gives me more time to help out Janet around the house now that there’s another baby on the way. It’s the best way I can pay her back for putting me up for so long. It’s pretty crazy and messy there most of the time, but it’s nice crazy. But I can’t stay there forever, especially now.”
John nodded, his eyes far away for a moment as though lingering on a past memory.
“Yes, they’ll need the extra space,” he said at last. “Everyone seems to be moving on. Even Claire’s left home.”
“She showed me her new apartment last week,” nodded Victoria. “The size of a shoebox, and it’s all she can talk about. That and Joe.”
“Especially Joe,” John agreed.
“And Joe?”
“He’s so ecstatic that he barely talks at all,” John grinned.
“He deserves it,” Victoria said, glancing down at her feet. “When I think how I used to treat him—”
“Rather think how you treat him now,” John suggested. “We all regret things we did when we were younger. Joe knows that as well as you do.”
Victoria nodded.
“How is Todd?” John asked.
“Could be better,” Victoria said. “He’s having physical therapy to help get him mobile again, and he’s responding reasonably well to his medication, but he was in very bad shape even before being attacked, so it’s not going to be quick. Or cheap. We’re hoping the fund we set up for him will cover most of his costs. The poor guy’s also suffering from withdrawal, but he’s sober. Sometimes reluctantly sober, but Nurse Lemmer rules her ward with a rod of iron.”
“From what you’ve told me about Nurse Lemmer, if I were her patient, I think I’d be reluctantly sober too.”
Victoria laughed.
“I’d trust her with my life though.”
“What will happen to Todd when he is finally discharged?”
“Not sure yet, but I’m hoping Megan Jenkins will be able to offer him work maintaining her property and grounds. She suggested it a while back. I saw her last week but didn’t want to bring it up at the moment. She looked so tired and thin.”
John nodded.
“Yes, with Maurice in jail and then the divorce proceedings, she’s taking strain.”
“She needs a break.”
“She’s getting one. Didn’t she tell you? She and Gavin are heading off to Paris for a holiday.”
“Paris?” Victoria blinked, before adding ironically, “naturally, that’s always my first option when I’m stressed too.”
“Naturally,” John grinned. “Where else? Maybe you should pay France a quick visit once you’re no longer needed at the police station.”
“I’ve actually been offered Steve’s position with the police here — if I want it,” she said slowly.
“Are you going to stay? It’s a big decision to make.”
Victoria smiled without answering and carefully opened the box of ashes she held in her hands.
“My mother used to bring us here when we were little,” she said, her voice catching a little.
He nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder.
She took a deep breath and scattered the ashes, watching the wind carry them out across the water. She sighed, feeling her shoulders lighten as though she had shaken off the heaviness that had lain across them so long.
She became aware of his hand on her, aware of the unexpected sense of peace it brought, and smiled at him.
“No more nightmares?” he asked, gently drawing her closer.
She shook her head.
“You haven’t answered my question yet about whether you’re leaving,” he reminded her.
She glanced up at him for a moment and slid her arm around his waist. His body felt warm and safe and solid, and she rested her head against his shoulder, at peace at last.
“I just did,” she replied.
THE END
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