by Black, Helen
‘What do you want?’ says Misty from the chair at her dressing table.
‘I brought you a cup of tea,’ Gem replies.
Misty sighs and turns back to the mirror. Gem don’t know if that means she wants it or not. But it seems a shame to waste it, so she scuttles over and puts it next to Misty with a smile.
Misty looks at her in disgust. ‘What have you got to be so fucking happy about?’
Gem shrugs. She’s just happy to be here, earning money. Feyza said she’d pay five pounds an hour so Gem should have enough for nappies, food and fags at the end of today.
‘Don’t be so horrible,’ says Feyza from the doorway.
‘I didn’t hear you knock,’ says Misty.
Feyza steps inside and closes the door behind her, arms folded over her chest. ‘We need a chat, yes?’
Misty sniffs, picks up a bottle of cleanser and squeezes a big blob onto some cotton wool. She’s forever taking off all her makeup and then redoing it all over again.
‘Wipe frown from face too, you understand me?’ says Feyza.
Misty rolls her eyes and aims the used cotton wool at the bin. She misses and it lands with a plop on the floor. Gem bends forward and collects it up, careful not to touch the orange stain of Misty’s foundation.
‘Customers want to see happy girls,’ says Feyza. ‘Not miserable bitches.’
‘Customers don’t care,’ says Misty.
Feyza says, ‘Don’t push me.’
‘Why?’ says Misty. ‘What’re you going to do?’
‘I put you out of here and you take your chances with all the rest.’ Feyza jabs her thumb over her shoulder. ‘On street.’
Misty slams down the bottle of cleanser and refuses to even look at Feyza.
‘You know you on to good thing here,’ says Feyza. ‘Don’t fuck up.’ Then she leaves, slamming the door behind her.
‘Fucking Turkish slag,’ says Misty. ‘On to a good thing? I make her more money than all the rest of the girls in here put together.’
Gem wonders if that can be true. Misty is busier than the other girls, but she’d have to be four times busier than them, wouldn’t she? For every one customer they did, she’d need to do four. And though Misty is good at getting them in and out, even she ain’t that quick.
‘I could go to any of the Russians and they’d beg me to work for them, I’m telling you,’ says Misty. ‘Fucking beg me.’
She reaches for her fags and lights one. Gem notices that her hand is shaking.
‘What are you staring at?’ Misty shouts at her. ‘Stop fucking staring at me.’
‘Sorry,’ Gem mumbles and gets out of the room before Misty really loses the plot.
Lilly woke in a better mood than the one that had dogged her at bedtime. It had snowed again and she made the decision then and there that she wouldn’t wake Sam or Alice. They were having the day off and would spend it having snowball fights, interrupted only by disgustingly huge cups of hot chocolate. With whipped cream. And marshmallows.
As she plodded past the sofa, David stirred, his face buried in the pillow she had tossed to him the night before. He had, after all, played chauffeur all day.
‘Tea?’ she asked.
‘If you’re making,’ he said.
She didn’t bother asking if he wanted toast and shoved in another slice alongside her own. While she waited for them to pop she looked out of the kitchen window. Dawn was sneaking up on the fields beyond her garden, inching cautiously across the horizon.
‘I always loved this view,’ said David.
Lilly almost snorted tea through her nose. ‘You did not. You said it reminded you of the dark side of the moon.’
He laughed and as the toast popped caught both slices in mid-air.
‘You are such a lawyer,’ he said. ‘You hang on every word as if it were testimony at the Old Bailey.’
‘I do not.’ Lilly reached for butter and jam. ‘I just hate bullshit.’
He slid two plates across the work surface and they sat down to eat in companionable silence. Lilly mused over what she would say to Jack about Chloe’s letter. She decided to be brisk and businesslike. If she stuck to the facts, it was up to Jack to draw his own conclusions. Torturing herself about ignoring the letter was helping no one, least of all Chloe. Anyway, by the look of her yesterday it was unlikely a case would ever come to court. She was surely insane and incapable of facing trial. A lifetime in mental institutions beckoned, and might that not be for the best?
The phone rang and Lilly snatched it up so it wouldn’t wake the kids. ‘Lilly Valentine,’ she said.
The person at the other end didn’t speak. All Lilly could hear were deep rasping breaths. Jesus, dirty calls at this time!
‘Who is this?’ she demanded.
Still the caller didn’t speak.
‘Listen to me, sunshine,’ she said. ‘I’m tracing this call, so I’d get lost now if I were you.’
Only the rattling sound of breathing responded and she was about to slam down the receiver when the noise changed momentarily. It caught. Like a small sob.
‘For God’s sake, what do you want?’ Lilly asked.
‘I need …’The caller’s voice choked into more crying. ‘I need to speak to you.’
‘You are speaking to me,’ said Lilly. ‘Why don’t you start by telling me your name?’
There was a silence punctuated by a couple of sniffs.
‘It’s me,’ said the caller. ‘It’s Chloe.’
Lilly’s hand flew to her breastbone and the spot where Chloe had hit her. She glanced down her pyjama top but the bruising was yet to come out. Nevertheless, it hurt. Like a tiny jet of viciousness under her skin.
‘How did you get this number, Chloe?’
‘What?’
‘You’re calling me at home,’ said Lilly. ‘I’m wondering where you got the number.’
‘I’m not sure.’ Chloe paused as if trying to remember. ‘Someone gave it to me. I think they said you’d written it in the book when you signed in.’
Lilly frowned. She could have sworn she’d given the office number. But it wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility she’d made a mistake. She had just met with Cheney and was dreading the conversation with Lydia’s parents.
‘Okay, Chloe, what can I do for you?’
The girl began to sob once more. Lilly worried she might have another fit.
‘Calm down, Chloe,’ said Lilly. ‘Take some deep breaths.’
The girl did as she was told and eventually the howling subsided. ‘I need to talk to you,’ she said.
‘That’s fine, Chloe, talk as much as you need to.’
‘No,’ said Chloe. ‘Not on the phone. I need you to come here.’
‘I can’t do that I’m afraid,’ said Lilly. ‘I’m sorry but it’s not possible.’
‘You have to.’ Chloe’s voice dropped to a whisper. ‘You have to help me.’
Lilly closed her eyes. She couldn’t allow herself to be drawn in.
‘You’re the only one I can trust, now Lydia’s gone,’ said Chloe. ‘Please.’
She sounded so very frightened. Like a girl much younger than she was. Lilly imagined what it must be like to be trapped in your own reality. Terrifying.
‘Help me.’ Chloe’s voice was muffled as if she had her mouth pressed into the handset. ‘Please help me before they come for me.’
Lilly sighed. ‘Give me an hour.’
David parked the Range Rover outside the Grove.
‘Thanks for this,’ said Lilly. ‘Again.’
‘Are you sure you want to do this?’
Lilly looked over her shoulder at Alice strapped in the back in her car seat. She absolutely did not want to do this, but she knew she absolutely had to.
‘You be very, very good,’ she told the baby.
‘She’ll be fine,’ said David. ‘We’ll head back now and drag Sam out of bed. Call me when you’re done.’
She waved them goodbye and headed into reception
to the visitors’ book, checking yesterday’s entry. There, scribbled under her name, was her number. Her office number. The inner door burst open and Harry strode out, his left eye puffy and purple.
‘Did you give Chloe my home number?’ Lilly asked.
‘No.’ Harry shook his head. ‘I don’t have it. Why?’
‘She said someone gave it to her,’ said Lilly.
He looked puzzled but just shrugged.
‘It doesn’t matter really,’ Lilly continued. ‘How is she?’
Harry see-sawed his hand. ‘Still a bit spaced-out from the sedative, but very anxious. I tried to convince her to use a different solicitor, but she was adamant she wanted to speak to you.’ He led Lilly through the warren of corridors to his office. ‘The police are due to arrive in half an hour, so time is of the essence.’
Christ, it was like Groundhog Day.
‘I’ll do my best,’ Lilly said.
Jack is in the shower, singing. He always sings in there. Sometimes old Irish folk songs, sometimes eighties pop numbers. All belted out, all completely out of tune.
I used to have a room-mate in college who was just the same. But it used to carve me in two every time she cranked up. In the end I just couldn’t stand it a moment longer. What can you do?
It’s different with Jack. It just makes me giggle. I suppose that’s what love is: you just like everything about the other person, even the stuff that would ordinarily set your teeth on edge.
It’s one in the face for those who said I couldn’t experience love, isn’t it? Those that said I couldn’t form the necessary attachments. Didn’t know half as much as they thought they did. Maybe I’ll invite them to our wedding. Ha. That would be something, wouldn’t it?
Jack’s towelling himself off now, his howling reduced to a cheerful humming.
‘What?’ he asks. ‘Why are you looking at me that way?’
‘It’s nothing,’ I tell him. ‘I’m just glad you’re happy.’
‘I am happy,’ he says, wrapping the towel around his waist like a sarong.
He’s been in a great mood since yesterday evening when we left the Grove. Like all decent coppers he loves a juicy murder, especially one where a good result looks likely. Also, though he’d never admit it, he was relieved when the ex confirmed that she was bowing out. He won’t say so, but he loathes it when she’s representing the defence, fighting him at every turn. And boy does she fight!
If he can keep her at arm’s length, he’s content and can remain civil, but if he’s forced into her buffer zone he reacts badly.
Which is why I feel a tad guilty. I mean I don’t want Jack to be unhappy, of course I don’t, but I do need to finish off his relationship with her once and for all. And the best way to do that is to collide their worlds together. Give them no alternative but to fight.
That’s why I gave the mad girl her number. I slipped it into her fat sweaty hand and told her that she was going to need a good solicitor.
I suspect Lilly will already be at the Grove when Jack arrives. It will ruin his day. But I’ll be here to administer a bit of TLC.
As a plan it’s quite brilliant. Minimal involvement on my part. Lilly’s inability to back down will do the work for me.
I smile, feeling like a bomber who has just lit the touch paper.
Most of the chairs had been removed from Harry’s office. Only one behind his desk and two in front remained. Chloe was sat in one of those, watching Harry’s empty seat nervously. She looked around as Lilly and Harry entered but quickly returned to her anxious vigil.
Lilly slid in across the desk. Harry took the place next to the patient.
‘How are you feeling?’ Lilly asked.
‘Better,’ Chloe replied.
She certainly seemed much improved. She smelled faintly of coconut and her hair was wet as if she’d just had a bath. Her eyes, though heavy, were focused.
‘We need to talk about what’s going to happen,’ said Lilly.
‘The police are on their way, aren’t they?’
Lilly nodded. ‘They want to speak to you about Lydia’s death.’
‘Not here though? They want to take me to the police station?’
‘That’s right,’ said Lilly. ‘They want to interview you formally.’
‘Yes.’
Lilly bent forward and placed her hands, palms down, on the desk. ‘I’m not personally convinced that that’s the right thing for you.’
‘But I have to go, don’t I?’ Chloe scooted her chair towards Lilly. ‘There’s no choice.’
‘We might be able to convince them that you’re not well enough, Chloe.’
The girl’s arm shot out and she grabbed Lilly’s hand in her own. ‘I need to tell them some things.’ She held Lilly’s fingers tightly. ‘I need to tell you some things.’
Lilly could feel Chloe’s flesh getting hotter as she increased the pressure.
‘I need to explain.’ Chloe’s voice began to rise. ‘I need to explain it all.’
‘Now now.’ Harry reached over and tried to remove Chloe’s hand. ‘Let’s try to keep calm.’
But Chloe didn’t let go, her grip becoming vice-like, her eyes wide and wild. ‘I need …’ Her words were lost somewhere in her throat.
Lilly put her free hand on Chloe’s and stroked it gently. ‘We are going to discuss it right now, okay? Me and you.’ She looked at Harry. ‘Could you give us some privacy?’
Harry frowned.
‘It’s completely fine, Harry,’ Lilly told him. ‘If it looks like Chloe might get ill again, I’ll shout.’
He sent her a look that said it wasn’t Chloe he was worried about. But Lilly gestured to the door. She’d spent a lot of her working life in the company of criminals and had been fearful of her safety only rarely. Besides, after a particularly nasty case where she’d been kidnapped, Lilly had learned some martial arts.
‘I’m Chloe’s solicitor now,’ Lilly told him. ‘And she has every right to speak to me in confidence, the same as any other client.’
Reluctantly, he stood and left the room. As the door shut behind him, Chloe let go of Lilly’s hand.
‘Thank you,’ Chloe said.
‘Not a problem,’ said Lilly. ‘I want you to feel comfortable. I want you to feel that you can tell me anything, but bear in mind that once you’ve told me something, you can’t untell it.’
‘I understand,’ said Chloe. ‘You’ll be with me at the police station.’
‘Like I say, I’m not certain I should agree to let them take you,’ said Lilly. ‘They don’t just want a chat, Chloe. You’re a suspect, in fact you’re their main suspect.’
‘I know.’
‘They’re going to ask you if you killed Lydia.’
‘I didn’t.’
‘Then they’re going to ask you if you carved some words onto her stomach.’
‘I didn’t.’
Lilly pictured how heated it would get in the interview room, with Jack putting the allegation to her again and again. How long before Chloe’s fragile mind collapsed under the pressure of an interrogation?
‘Then they’re going to point out that a bloodstained knife was found in your room.’
‘It wasn’t mine,’ said Chloe. ‘It was Lydia’s.’
Lilly shook her head. ‘There’s no way she could have done that to herself. I checked.’
‘Then someone else did it,’ Chloe panted. ‘We can tell the police that someone else did it.’
‘They won’t believe you,’ said Lilly.
‘Do you believe me?’
Lilly took a deep breath. What she did or didn’t believe was beside the point. Her job right now was to protect Chloe both from the police and from herself. ‘You have to trust me, Chloe.’
‘I do.’
‘That’s good,’ said Lilly.
‘That’s why I gave you the note.’
Lilly stopped short. This was the one thing that wouldn’t go away. However much she wanted it to.
‘H
elp us,’ Lilly repeated what it had said. ‘You wanted me to help you. Then those same words were cut into Lydia’s body.’
Tears glittered in Chloe’s eyes. ‘I just want you to take me to the police station. That’s all I ask.’
There was a knock at the door and Harry poked his head round it. ‘The police are here,’ he said.
Lilly and Chloe stood up together.
‘You stay here and I’ll go and speak to them,’ said Lilly and pressed Chloe back into her seat. ‘You told me you trusted me, didn’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then let me do my job, okay?’
When Jack clocked Lilly, his face fell. She’d hoped Harry might have mentioned to him that she was here. Clearly not.
‘I thought Chloe was getting a new brief,’ he said.
‘That makes two of us,’ Lilly replied.
‘Let me guess.’ There was more than a hint of sarcasm in Jack’s tone. ‘She begged you to come over.’
Lilly pinched her lips together. The way he put it made the situation sound ridiculous. She was a grown woman and could have refused. Given the facts as they were, most would have refused.
‘Problem?’ asked Harry.
‘No,’ Jack and Lilly answered simultaneously.
‘Excellent.’ Harry rubbed his hands together. ‘Then I’ll be in with Chloe while you two …’
They watched him slip back into his office and waited until the door shut before speaking.
‘I sometimes wonder if you do this on purpose,’ Jack hissed.
‘Do what?’
‘Get yourself instructed on my cases.’
‘Your case?’ Lilly shook her head. ‘I was already here when all this kicked off if you remember. I was already on this case.’
‘You were here to have a quick word with the dead girl’s family,’ said Jack. ‘You were here for Lydia, not bloody Chloe. Yet here you are this morning slap bang in the middle of my case.’
Lilly tried to hold back her anger. Yes, she had become involved in an unusual way, but the insinuation that she had wriggled her way into it was nonsense. And the idea that she had done so because of Jack was outrageous.
‘Don’t flatter yourself, Jack.’ Her voice was cold. ‘Chloe had already asked for my help while Lydia was still alive.’
