‘Just how brave are you, little one?’ she whispered.
The duck waddled up quickly and took the bread.
‘When a duck is not a sheep it is rewarded.’ She finished her coffee.
A couple approached. Both looked to be admiring the ducks before turning to Kelly. ‘They’re always hungry.’
‘Greedy, the majority, but there’s always one in every crowd who is patient and unafraid.’ She pointed to the duck near the bench. ‘My new friend until my food runs out.’
‘It’s Kelly I believe?’
Kelly immediately put down the remains of the sandwich, ready to flee.
‘Don’t be alarmed. We’re friends too. Sharon spoke to me about you. May I sit and explain? If you don’t like what I’m about to reveal you can just collect your things and go.’
Pulling her belongings closer, Kelly nodded her approval and pointed to part of the bench. ‘My name’s Paula and that’s Chris. Like I said to Sharon, I’m working alongside the police, I’m a Family Liaison Officer. We know your circumstances and we know about Abid. I’m sorry, love, truly.’
The stranger’s mention of Abid’s name brought a degree of fear. Kelly wrapped her arms around her lifted knees and rocked slowly. Paula cautiously moved her hand to cover Kelly’s and then drew closer. Immediately the flood gates opened and Kelly broke down. Her deep sobs were heart-breaking. She had kept everything contained for so long. The sorrow and the fear had been a toxic cocktail that had festered within. Suddenly it erupted in an emotional tsunami of tears, snot and spittle. Chris tapped her other shoulder before handing her a clean handkerchief.
‘Can we talk, Kelly? Sharon is at a safe address and I know she’d love to see you make the right decision. You cannot run for ever.’
Paula just held her until she calmed and then moved back, giving her space. Kelly looked at Paula then Chris and nodded. ‘You’ll not hurt me?’
Paula placed her hands to either side of Kelly’s face and lifted it. She looked directly at her. ‘I promise to protect you. We’ll not hurt you or Sharon. You have to trust me. Read my eyes, Kelly. They give the same message as my mouth.’
Right now, whoever these people were, Kelly had come to the end of the line. She had no more inner strength left. Studying her hand, she rubbed the gecko on the side of her palm as if secretly wishing the fairy story she had once been told would somehow be real and a genie would magically end all of this and bring Abid back. If only you were here, she thought. If only you were still with me.
Chapter 28
Apart from Bob’s formal caution and the dictaphone placed on the coffee table, the meeting had all the appearance of an afternoon tea party and not that of a police interview. The domestic ornaments, the soft furnishings, the best cups and saucers and plates of biscuits, all suggested a relaxed informality, but it neither had the corresponding atmosphere nor ambience. There was an air of anxious nervousness that stifled a readiness to speak, or to commit. In Bob’s experience, informality and friendliness reaped dividends. He believed there was a reduced threat when those accused were interviewed in the security of their own home. On home turf, he liked to say.
Bob spoke first. He had judged the mood perfectly. Arthur’s hand locked with his wife’s as they sat as close as possible on the settee as if seeking mutual physical support.
‘Just tell me why?’ The question was so simple but it was like a recently recovered lost key slipping into the lock and opening a door of guilt. A psychologist would see it as a way of offering an opportunity to finally admit and reduce the burden of guilt that weighs heavily on those not used to wrong doing.
‘It was all my idea, Chief Inspector Lawn. Lynn just had to go along with it once I’d told her but that was not until we were on our way back. I didn’t want to spoil the first part of the cruise. She’d looked forward to it so much and I couldn’t deny her that pleasure. Once I’d told her … I’ve never seen her so angry but I fully understood her ire, I was prepared. Besides, what was she going to do, report me to the captain? No, we’ve been together too long, through the good and the bad, sickness and health. I’d betrayed her trust but she stood by me.’
Bob checked the Dictaphone and placed it back on the coffee table. Two other officers were taking notes.
‘My morning walks, my constitutionals? They’re not what she believes them to be. They satisfy an addiction. I’m lost to gambling.’ He lowered his head before turning to her and mouthing the word, sorry.
Lynn moved to the side and regarded her husband with a look of sadness and surprise.
‘I look after the household accounts, always have. Let’s say at first I was able to manage, as the outgoings were not too bad. You wouldn’t believe how much you can feed the slot machines. I’d go up to Blackpool. It’s just around the corner, meet mates, but I always went too far. Look, to cut a long story very short, I borrowed money. The house is paid for so the loan was just for the bills and repayments on the car. Anyway, as an anniversary was coming up Lynn wanted to go on a cruise, and the only way we’d be able to afford that was through my getting another loan. There should’ve been cash in the bank. Lynn believed we had enough and by rights we should’ve had plenty. God, we’d been prudent throughout our lives. We’ve no kids and both worked but then she didn’t know the truth.’
He pulled her hand closer and whispered again. ‘I’m so, so sorry, love.’
Bob spoke. ‘Go on, in your own time.’
‘I was telling all this to a guy in one of the casinos in Blackpool, and he brought one
