by Mel Sherratt
Having DC Sam Markham on hand to help when she needed her was a godsend. Sam was meticulous in cracking cases wide open with her scrutiny and diligence. She was glad that Perry had a chance at DS too. Everything had worked out quite well. Even the Steeles were off her back now that she didn’t have to work so closely to them. But she was still keeping an ear to the ground to see what they got up to.
‘I also spoke on the phone to the housing officer from Trent Housing Association covering that patch. Dave Pendigran. He’s investigating the incident from their end and says he’ll tell us if he hears anything and vice versa. Obviously, he can only speak to the parents, and arrange a maintenance inspection. The association don’t seem at fault to me, though.’
‘Yeah, I guess the railing would have given way if it was faulty.’
‘I just hope Tyler survived the night,’ Grace said, finishing off her list. ‘I tried to ring the hospital but the line was engaged. We’ll be there within the half-hour, I expect if we start out now.’
Frankie drained his coffee and grabbed his jacket, shrugging it on.
Arriving at the hospital, Grace cruised the car park until she found a space. They made their way into the main building with its expansive reception area, people milling around inside. Some were on a mission, knowing exactly where they were going. Others loitered, looking lost, asking for directions from receptionists and helpers, plugging details into a computerised system. It was all done in an orderly fashion.
‘How are we playing this, Sarge?’ Frankie asked as they made their way across the floor towards the stairs.
‘I’ll speak to Ruby and you can chat with Luke. Take him for a coffee – but go easy on him for now.’
‘I’m all over it, boss.’ He doffed an invisible cap. ‘Nice not to be weighed down either. It was ridiculous what we had to carry out on the beat.’ He laughed. ‘Even though it was a necessity, I feel two stone lighter without all my gear.’
‘Yes, you do look a little less pudgy,’ Grace teased.
Frankie was always smart out of uniform. Since he was now in plain clothes, he’d taken to wearing jeans and casual jackets, always with a crisp shirt and a tie. He was a good listener, and Grace had already seen people putting their trust in him. They told him things they might not have mentioned when he’d been in uniform, as he was a natural at making them feel at ease.
In the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit they were shown into the main reception room. There were three groups of families waiting including Ruby and Luke, who were sitting huddled together on plastic seats. They made their way over to them.
‘Morning,’ Grace said, taking a seat and noting the looks that were passing between them. ‘How is he today?’
‘He’s stable,’ Ruby replied. ‘The nurses are tending to him at the moment. The consultant is doing his rounds and he’ll be able to tell us more when we see him. But we’re told the signs are good, although we don’t really know what that means.’
‘It sounds positive.’ Grace smiled. ‘I know this seems insensitive but we need to talk to you. Shall we find a side room so we can speak in private?’
‘Why?’ Luke asked.
‘We just need you to run through what happened last night.’ Grace gave a friendly smile.
‘But we’ve told you everything,’ he accused.
Grace said nothing, the tense atmosphere getting thicker by the second.
‘Come on, Luke,’ Frankie said. ‘Let’s grab a coffee.’
‘Do we have to?’
‘Yeah, we do.’
Luke stood up like a sulky child. Grace nodded at Frankie as he led the other man out of the room. She stood up and looked at Ruby.
‘Let’s find that room, shall we?’
2010
Ruby stood waiting at the end of her street. She’d told her dad she was going to see Naomi but instead her friend was covering for her while she went to meet Finn. They were going to his flat, and he was cooking her a meal.
A ripple of anticipation ran through her as she wondered if tonight would be the night. They had been dating now for six weeks. He’d picked her up twice a week since her birthday, taken her out to dinner, to the cinema, and to a pub where they’d had a soft drink outside. One afternoon they’d walked around the park hand in hand, eaten ice cream and fed the ducks. He was such a romantic and fun to be with too, and every time she thought about him her stomach flipped.
He was her first proper boyfriend, and so much older than the boys at school. She’d sat in class dreaming about him, remembering his kisses, his gentle persuasion to try a little more each time they met. He was always patient with her when it felt too much though.
But she was ready. Tonight would be the night.
She’d been to his flat several times now. They’d had coffee and watched TV. But this was the first time he was cooking for her.
As soon as she stepped inside after Finn had driven her back to his place, she could smell something delicious.
‘There’s a cottage pie warming in the oven,’ he told her as she removed her jacket. ‘My mum makes it all the time. She—’
‘Your mum made it!’ Ruby cried. ‘I might have known.’
‘No, wait.’ He shook his head. ‘I prepared it. I’ve watched her so many times when I was growing up that it’s easy to replicate. And if I’m honest it’s nice to cook for someone who can share it with me. Usually I make too much and end up freezing some or binning it.’
‘It looks far too nice to throw away,’ she admitted.
‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’
‘Do you see your mum often?’ Finn had told Ruby that his parents divorced when he was nine. His father had been a wastrel, always out looking for trouble, so it was no loss to either of them when he’d walked out. Finn rarely mentioned his mum, so it was a surprise to find out he’d spent time with her cooking when he was younger.
‘I go every now and then,’ he replied. ‘She’s all right, my mum.’
‘You should visit her more often. You never know when she might not be around.’
Finn glanced at her and then gave her a hug. ‘It must be hard for you.’
‘It gets easier,’ she admitted, realising she sounded a lot more grown up than she felt about it. ‘I miss my dad, though. I wish I was closer to him but, like you, it is what it is.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘Come on, the food is getting cold.’
Finn dished the pie out and it was indeed lovely. In no time at all she had finished her last mouthful and washed it down with a gulp of wine. She’d only had half a glass. Finn wasn’t drinking because he was driving, and she didn’t like the taste of it too much yet.
‘I love having you here, Rube.’ He reached across for her hand. ‘I wish it was permanent.’
‘Are you saying you want me to move in with you?’ she teased.
‘No … I—’
‘Joking.’ She covered his hand with her own. ‘I love being here too.’
‘It feels so strange to think I’ve only known you for barely a couple of months. It’s like a light has gone on in my life since I met you. I swear I go to sleep thinking about you and when I wake up, you’re the first thing on my mind. You give me a reason for wanting to make more of my life.’
Ruby grinned. She wasn’t up on romantic chat-up lines but reckoned that would be one of the better ones. And she did love his company.
They moved through into the living room, leaving the table as it was. No sooner had they sat down on the settee, he turned and kissed her, his hand at the back of her neck pulling her close. It was tender at first, but then became more passionate. His hands were gentle, his manner too and she knew she could trust him not to hurt her. She could see from his eyes how much she meant to him.
One by one, he undid the buttons on her blouse and pushed it to one side. Kissing her neck, her shoulders, her chest, she leaned her head back and savoured the feelings running through her body right then. She freed the cuffs and removed the blouse com
pletely. Reaching behind she unhooked her bra.
He gazed into her eyes and then brought her close again. Within minutes, they both followed the bra to the floor.
It wasn’t all pain free but neither was it as awkward as she’d thought it might be. She touched him too, something she hadn’t yet done. Unaware of the effect she was having, she was surprised when he moved her hand away. She’d been scared of bringing it up so was glad when he used protection. As they made love, for the first time she felt like a woman.
Afterwards she looked at him. He smiled at her. She could see such love and respect as he stared at her. So much so that she burst into embarrassed laughter.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘I don’t know.’ She laughed again and he joined in this time. It was a mixture of happiness and relief that it had gone okay.
‘Well, at least you’re not crying.’ He pulled her into the crook of his arm as they lay side by side. ‘That would really ruin my street cred.’
They lay together, breathing returning to normal, relaxing in the afterglow of sex. Finn ran his fingers up and down her arms; she cuddled into his chest.
‘Do you know what, Rube?’ he broke into the silence. ‘I think I’m falling in love with you.’
She put up her head and looked at him. Was this too soon? How would she know? The only thing she was sure of was her feelings for him. He made her feel so grown up, so alive, so … so loved.
‘I think I’m falling in love with you too,’ she replied.
‘Really?’ He looked shocked.
‘Yes, really.’
He rolled over on top of her, pinning her arms up either side of her head. ‘Well, that’s good. Perhaps we can skip dessert and go for second helpings of each other instead.’
‘What’s for dessert?’
‘Vanilla cheesecake. Something I definitely didn’t make myself.’
‘I’m quite partial to cheesecake.’
‘Oh, like that is it?’ He tickled her, making her gasp for air. He gazed into her eyes, and it almost embarrassed her again. His look was so intense, as if a million thoughts were flashing through his mind all at once.
‘I love you, Ruby Brassington,’ he said.
She grinned. ‘I love you too, Finn Ridley.’
As he leaned in to kiss her again, Ruby felt her heart would burst with happiness. Wait until she shared all this with Naomi.
TWELVE
In the empty relatives’ room, Grace waited for Ruby to sit down before pulling a chair across the floor and sitting directly in front of her. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. There was no easy way to say what she had to so she just came out with it.
‘The consultant I spoke to last night is saying that the injuries caused to Tyler from his fall don’t seem to suggest that he fell head first.’
Ruby frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘He thought if Tyler had fallen over, he would most probably have landed on all fours, putting his hands out to stop himself. But Tyler’s injuries seem to be consistent with a straight drop, as if he had been walking along the railing.’
‘You think we had something to do with this?’ Ruby shook her head. ‘We didn’t.’
‘That’s why we need you to go through what happened again, please.’
‘You were there.’
‘I was there after Tyler had fallen.’
Tears formed in Ruby’s eyes and trickled down her cheek.
‘I am truly sorry for your pain,’ Grace started. ‘I just need to cross the t’s and dot the i’s. Let’s begin with an hour before the accident.’
‘I was at home with the children.’
‘That’s Lily and Tyler?’
Ruby nodded. ‘We were finishing tea when Luke came in.’
‘What time would that be?’
She paused as if recollecting. ‘About half past six, I think. The news was finishing. The kids had just had a pizza. Tyler had already eaten but he’s always hungry.’ A faint smile teased Ruby’s lips before disappearing again.
‘What happened then?’ Grace urged.
‘Lily and Tyler were playing in their room. Then we heard Lily yell. We went rushing into the hall to find the front door open and Lily looking over the side.’ Ruby closed her eyes momentarily, as if to block out what she had seen. ‘When I looked over the rail, I could see Tyler on the grass.’
‘And what did Lily say had happened?’
‘She said he’d been teasing her and pushing her and she told him to stop it. That’s when he ran out of the room and got out the front door. Lily didn’t realise – none of us realised – until it was too late.’ She covered her face with her hands. ‘Every time I close my eyes, I see him falling.’
‘Was the front door locked?’
‘Yes. But he does know how to open it. I just didn’t think he’d be able to reach it.’
‘Does he know the dangers of—’ Grace stopped when she saw the look Ruby gave to her. ‘I didn’t mean to sound patronising. I have to write down the facts.’
‘He’s nearly three years old. Of course he doesn’t know the danger, no matter how many times we tell him. Have you got children?’
‘No.’
‘Thought as much.’
It always irked Grace when people asked her that. Just because she hadn’t got children of her own, it didn’t make her heartless, nor unknowledgeable.
She let Ruby take a moment.
‘There was a man seen rushing away from Harrison House shortly after the accident,’ she said next. ‘We’re trying to trace him now. He could have been one of your neighbours, and may have witnessed what happened. Did you see anyone?’
‘I might have seen someone when I looked over to see … to see if Tyler was okay.’
‘Was it a man, or a woman?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘Where were they?’ Grace probed.
‘On the path, running towards the main road.’
Grace made a note to check that out. CCTV cameras on Ford Green Road may have caught visuals if so.
‘Is Lily still with your neighbour, Norma?’ she asked next.
‘Yes. We’re going to fetch her soon, and we need a change of clothes too.’ Ruby paused as if she was going to say something but then changed her mind. ‘She’s going to be lost without him for a while,’ she continued eventually. ‘We all will be. But we are going to take him back home.’
Grace paused. ‘Was it Lily who pushed Tyler from the wall and you’re afraid to tell us?’
Ruby gasped. ‘It had nothing to do with her.’
‘Are you sure? Because if you are covering for her, we need to know.’
‘Lily would never hurt Tyler. How dare you come here and insinuate that our daughter had anything to do with it!’
Grace put up a hand. ‘I just need to know what happened to Tyler,’ she said gently. ‘We owe it to him to get to the bottom of this.’
Ruby began to cry. Grace handed her a few tissues from a box situated on a low table and waited for her to calm down. She could sense the young woman was nervous about something. Ruby wouldn’t look her in the eye, and instead her gaze dropped to the floor, as her skin grew more and more flushed.
Was she covering for Lily? Was her daughter involved in Tyler falling and if so, was it an accident or not?
‘You’re not in any trouble,’ Grace told her after a few moments, hoping it would encourage her to start talking again.
‘It was an accident,’ Ruby insisted. ‘I—’
The door opened and a young doctor came in.
‘Hello. It’s Ruby, isn’t it?’ He smiled.
Ruby’s face crumpled as if she was expecting the worst.
Grace flashed her warrant card.
‘Oh, sorry. Would you like me to come back later? There’s nothing to worry about. Just here to let Mum know what’s going on with Tyler.’
Grace stood up. It wasn’t her place to be here right now, even though she was frustrated at
the interruption.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ she said and left the room.
Outside in the corridor, she gathered her thoughts. It wasn’t something she liked doing, questioning people who had other things to think about. But equally she had to be sure that Ruby Brassington was telling the truth.
And she was far from certain of that.
THIRTEEN
The hospital canteen was busy, only a few tables vacant. Frankie looked around as he stood in the queue. It was easy to spot the patients sitting in wheelchairs, with bandages or plaster casts, bruises and stitches, trailing drips behind them. But there were a lot of people without ailments. He wondered if they were here to visit sick relatives, or perhaps attending appointments themselves. Some could be waiting to hear devastating news, people they loved having gone out for the day, never to return as they were. For the most part, the human body was resilient and mended well under the most awful conditions. He hoped Tyler only needed a little time to recover from his ordeal.
Frankie bought two coffees and pointed to a table. He and Luke sat down. He pushed one of the cups across to him.
‘Thanks, although I feel spaced out because I’ve been drinking too much of the stuff,’ Luke said, busying himself adding sugar.
By the time he’d felt okay to take a sip of his own drink, Frankie noted that Luke had folded and unfolded his arms four times.
‘You must be devastated,’ he began. ‘I have a son a similar age and I can only imagine how I’d feel if something like this happened to him. He’s hardly ever still, drives us mad at times.’
Luke gave a half-smile. ‘They’re all the same.’
Frankie smiled too. Then he started with his questioning. ‘I need to run through with you again what happened last night. Let’s begin with just before the accident. What were you doing?’
‘I was watching the TV.’
‘What was on?’
‘The news.’
Frankie swiped a hand in the air. ‘Go back a bit. Had you been in all day?’
‘No. I was working at the club, stock-taking, you know.’
‘The club?’
‘Flynn’s. I help out behind the bar, do a bit of this and that.’
