“Look, I have some things I need to get. Give me a call when you are finished with grumpy and I’ll come and pick you up.” I nodded thanks and watched as Amanda left the ward.
“I…”
“Before you even open your mouth to complain…” I paused, looking out of the window I could see Amanda. She had walked out of the main entrance of the hospital and had been stopped by two police officers. “That’s strange…” There were raised voices and I watched in horror as she was wrestled to the ground and roughly cuffed. “Adam, I have to go…” I looked around, he had stood up and had been watching through the window. “Shit!” I saw him sprinting down the ward towards the fire doors.
An alarm screamed as Adam forced the doors open, I was soon after him as he approached the police car. He was running full pace in his bare feet as the officers approached the parking barrier. He yanked open the driver’s door and had grabbed the steering wheel causing the police car to ram into the barrier.
As I reached the car, somewhat out of breath, he was being handcuffed and had been sat next to his sister.
“Please, what’s going on…”
“It’s none of your business. Now piss off!” The officer sat back down behind the wheel and drove off.
***
“I brought you clothes.” I looked up and saw Dan in the cell doorway. “What the hell were you thinking Adam?”
“I was thinking it was happening again, that Amanda was being kidnapped.” I dressed quickly. “Thank you.” I slipped on trainers. “How was I to know these ones were real police officers. What is she being charged with?”
“It’s an offence under the proceeds of crimes act. I’d hoped we could have brushed it under the carpet, but you can’t just spend almost one million pounds of drugs money without some penalty.” He sighed. “She isn’t a criminal and doesn’t have a criminal lifestyle, but… Well, it’s going to be up to the judge.”
“And me? What am I being charged with.”
“You…” Dan paused. “Look I pulled some strings, explained what you thought was happening and…”
“What?”
“They thought that the shame of being overpowered by someone wearing My Little Pony PJ’s was just about enough to get them to drop the charges.”
“Can I go home?”
“Sure, you and your sister are free to go. I should deliver you back to the hospital, but they seem to think that you are okay now, She will be on police bail until a court date.”
“Thanks, Dan…”
***
“Here they are. Safely returned.”
“You bloody idiot!” Kate slapped Adam. “How are you, Amanda?”
“What have I done?” Both women looked at him. “Okay… Sorry…”
“Look, I’m sorry for what has happened. I couldn’t do anything and wasn’t told it was happening.”
“Dan it’s okay. I knew that I couldn’t get away with using Edwin’s money, however, I stupidly thought being almost killed twice would have been enough.” Amanda sighed. “I may have to go to prison or they may take all of this away from me. It serves me right, I suppose.”
“Look it’s massively unlikely that you’ll go to prison.” Dan shook his head.
“Yeah, but I could lose everything.”
“And if that happens, I know May would have you back. Kate and I can find a yard we can work at. Look, we’ll have each other.” Adam paused. “And, if you do go to prison… I might even visit…”
“Thank you…” I stopped. “What? You bloody shit!” Adam was too quick for me as I grabbed for his shirt, I could hear Kate and Dan laughing as I chased him out the back door.
***
It was with a sense of relief that we sat down to dinner that evening. I was resigned to whatever might happen to me. Compared to the wrath of Patrick, who Dan told me had been attacked in prison and would no longer be a risk to me, this was nothing. Dan had assured me again there would not be a custodial sentence.
I looked around the table, Adam and Kate sat laughing glasses of wine in their hands, they had been through so much but had bounced back and were happy with each other and what their lives promised. Beside me, was Dan, wine glass in one hand and the other gently placed on my thigh. They were all looking at me.
“Amanda?”
“Eh? Sorry?”
“A toast!” Adam held his glass aloft. “To the future…”
***
“Why are you looking so sad. This is a happy ending.” Dan embraced me.
“I have been charged with a major criminal offence. You’re a police officer.”
“Sorry, I am not sure what you are saying here.”
“I love you Dan, but I’m scared that you’ll lose your job if…. What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“What did you say?”
“You’ll lose your job…”
“No… Before that… The first bit.” I blushed, oh goodness I hadn’t intended that to slip out like that, however it was true. He had been beside me throughout everything and he was tough and strong and made me feel protected and he had a great body… “Mandy?…”
“Oh, sorry… I love you, Dan Willoughby… Oh goodness, I’ve come on too strong. “What? Dan…” My words were cut short as he kissed me.
“And I love you too… And even if a criminal record mattered, it wouldn’t to me… As long as I have you… Now, as it seems that we are all alone and you are so sexy…” He started to unbutton my blouse.
“Oh, Dan…”
41
Change And Celebration
I’d thrown myself into work, it was the only way I could take my mind off what could happen to me. At night I’d dragged myself exhausted into the kitchen, kicking off my boots and filling the kettle before slumping onto one of the kitchen chairs. I was dropping off to sleep in the chair when the kettle clicked, so I forced myself up and poured myself a mug of tea.
I knew I had to eat something, however,
