Lucy paused, gearing herself up to say what else was on her mind.
‘And what if it brought other things to light, too?’ she said finally, hinting at the real reason behind her decision. ‘I mean, the press would get hold of this, wouldn’t they? And, of course, they’d run with it. The police officer whose mother got murdered, the case that never got solved, and what about my mother’s privacy? What if they found out things that she wouldn’t want the whole world to know about her? Because we all have secrets, don’t we?’ Lucy said, unable to divulge any more details.
But she didn’t have to.
DS Morgan nodded in understanding, his silence speaking volumes. Which told Lucy what she’d already suspected. DS Morgan knew her mum’s secrets. He hadn’t said anything to Lucy for fear of hurting her further.
‘I know that it’s not the decision that you hoped for, but I just want to move on. I can’t bring her back, Sarge. But I can make sure that she keeps her dignity in death. And that’s all she has left.’
‘Of course, Lucy. I do understand. Really. And I not only support your decision, but I respect it too,’ DS Morgan said finally. ‘I learned a very long time ago that you can’t win them all. Sometimes you have to walk away from things in order to keep your own sanity. So, I get it, I really do!’
DS Morgan smiled, seeing the relief on Lucy’s face now that they’d finally had this conversation and she knew what she wanted to do.
‘Right, well, if you’re off to see Shelby Cooke, then I better get my arse across the road to the pub. You know what that lot are like. I’ve never seen that lot move so quickly, bunch of tight arses. Holder’s the bloody worst of them. “Last one in buys the round.” “First one in buys the round.” “The one wearing the blue coat buys the round.”’ DS Morgan chuckled, pulling his arms through the sleeves of his blue coat and knowing he was going to get stumped with the bill one way or another. ‘He makes up the rules as he goes along that one. And I fall for it every single bloody time.’
Following her boss out of the office, Lucy couldn’t help but laugh at that.
52
Ringing the bell at Janey and Pete Baker’s house, Lucy took a step back, admiring the wisteria that twisted up the brickwork of the picture-perfect house, before taking in the immaculately manicured front garden.
The place really was worlds away from the Griffin Estate, and Lucy could see instantly why Shelby would prefer to bring Riley back home here. She clearly just wanted the best for him.
She smiled then, hearing the sound of Riley’s gentle cries coming from somewhere inside the house. Guessing that he was alerting his parents that he needed a feed or a nappy change.
‘Oh, wow! Ashley, you look awful!’ Lucy exclaimed as Ashley opened the front door and she eyed his battered and swollen face. His right arm was set in a cast and sling. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man. One thing was for sure, he’d certainly been through the wars this week. More than once.
‘Why thanks!’ Ashley grinned, knowing full well that Lucy was only voicing her concern for him. He knew it looked bad. ‘It looks a lot worse than it actually is. Apart from my arm. That’s royally fucked!’ He stepped back, inviting Lucy inside the house.
‘Are you staying here too?’ Lucy asked as she stepped inside and wiped her feet on the mat, curious as to whether all had been forgiven and Shelby had taken Ashley back. Knowing how hard it must be for Ashley to be back here, constantly scrutinised under Pete Baker’s watchful eye. The man wouldn’t be making it easy for Ashley, that was for certain.
‘No. I’m back at the flat. But Shelby wants me here as much as possible to help with Riley. Co-parenting she calls it.’ He shrugged. ‘Secretly, a small part of me thinks that it’s because she wants me here really. Only she’s too proud and angry with me to say it. You know, after everything…’
‘Well, it’s still early days and at least you’re on good terms,’ Lucy said, sensing the hope in Ashley’s voice as he led her to the lounge.
‘Have you heard anything yet? About Imelda George?’
‘I have. That’s why I’m here. To give you all an update, and of course I was hoping to see little Riley too,’ Lucy said, following Ashley through.
‘Well, as you can hear, he’s letting his presence be known and making himself well and truly at home. Shelby won’t let him out of her sight, though that’s to be expected I guess.’
‘Oh, understandably,’ Lucy agreed, unable to even imagine the turmoil Shelby must have felt at being separated from her newborn son.
‘Lucy!’ Shelby smiled as Lucy entered the room. She was in the armchair in front of the window, nursing a hungry-looking Riley. ‘You came!’
‘I told you that I’d pop in and see how you’re doing,’ Lucy said, seeing that Shelby was doing just fine as she breastfed her son. A look of contentment spread across her face as she looked down at the boy so lovingly, before looking back at Lucy once more.
‘I’d get up and give you a hug, only I’ve been told to take it easy. I’ve got to let the stitches heal. They’ve padded me up with that many bandages I can barely bend over. I feel like something off The Mummy. And this lot keep trying to take Riley from me, so that I don’t have to keep lifting him,’ Shelby said, rolling her eyes playfully. ‘Honestly! Even wild horses couldn’t keep
