‘I bet you were surprised when you saw me. I’ve grown since we were in school.’
It was a difficult question for Sarah to answer. ‘We’ve all changed a great deal,’ she said with a smile. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’ She nodded towards the window as a bread van trundled past. ‘The place hasn’t changed much, apart from all the gated communities springing up.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel safe in your bed.’ Elsie’s cat purred loudly as she rhythmically stroked its fur. ‘Christian has been a blessing. It’s just the two of us at home since Mom and Pop died. He’s an estate agent, y’know. Although he’s real good at computer games.’ Sarah paused to take her son’s details as she updated the police records. Now that she recalled it, this was Elsie’s family home. She had never left. Progressing the interview, she asked if Elsie had seen anything suspicious the night before.
‘Nope, not a dicky bird.’ Elsie glanced at the yellowing window blinds. ‘I fell asleep, which is a minor miracle in itself. Christian woke me at midnight. Said there were some teenagers outside, but he scared them away.’
‘Which is why you reported the damage to your gate?’
Elsie nodded. ‘It’s nothing really. Christian will fix it when he gets home.’ Sarah made note of her comments. By the look of it, Christian had a lot on his plate.
‘Are you sure about the time?’ Sarah remarked. A gate off its hinges was hardly the crime of the century, but the elements of her police training still remained: question everything, then question it again.
Elsie pointed to a novelty cat clock on the wall. ‘I’ve had that timekeeper for twenty years and it’s never let me down.’
Sarah’s eyes roamed to the picture of Elsie’s parents, their lined faces glaring in disapproval. Her father was instantly recognisable by the deep cleft in his chin. Her mother’s ringlet curls had been replaced by a short grey bob. A string of rosary beads hung limply over the picture frame, which was cloaked in a layer of dust. Elsie followed her gaze. ‘The Lord took them both into his bosom. Natural causes. They died just weeks apart.’
‘Sorry for your loss,’ Sarah said faintly, keen to move things on.
Elsie regarded Sarah thoughtfully. ‘I guess it’s quite the novelty for you, meeting someone like me.’
‘Someone like you?’ Sarah asked, genuinely perplexed. ‘What do you mean?’
Elsie flushed. ‘Do I have to spell it out? Someone of my size. Come on, y’all must be wondering, but you’re too polite to ask.’
‘It’s none of my business, is it?’ Sarah clicked the top of her pen. ‘It’s not my job to sit in judgement.’ She knew how it felt to be talked about. She wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Elsie seemed taken aback. ‘At least you’ve made something of your life. A detective, no less.’
‘Don’t set your standards by me,’ Sarah laughed dryly. ‘My life is far from perfect as I’m sure you know.’ Sarah relaxed on her stool. This may be veering off police business but care in the community was part of it too. ‘Have you spoken to your GP? Maybe they could help.’
‘Scoot.’ Elsie nudged her cat and it darted down to the end of the bed. Almost unconsciously, her hand fell to the box of éclairs which were resting on her bedside table. ‘I have to lose weight for the surgery,’ she said, tearing open the box. ‘But it’s an addiction. I can’t just stop.’ She sank her teeth into the éclair and cream squirted out the sides of her mouth. ‘Besides …’ She licked her lips. ‘If Idohave surgery, I could die under the knife.’ She swallowed the éclair before reaching for another. ‘So I think about it, and I think about it some more, and then I get scared, so I eat to make myself feel better and …’
‘You’re back to square one,’ Sarah finished her sentence.
Elsie shoved the rest of the pastry into her mouth, talking between chews. ‘You know, this is the first time I’ve spoken about it in years. Even the health professionals have given up on me.’ She sniffed, grabbing a square of kitchen paper and wiping her mouth. ‘I don’t even taste it half the time.’
‘I’m sure help is there when you’re ready for it,’ Sarah said. She should be moving on, but she couldn’t leave Elsie in this state.
Elsie cleared her throat. ‘Seeing you out in the world … after everything life has thrown at you … Maybe there’s hope for me after all.’
‘I’m glad I’ve inspired you,’ Sarah said, upon receiving the backhanded compliment. ‘Is there anything I can do for you before I go?’
Elsie shook her head, one hand on the box of éclairs. ‘I only reported it because Christian told me to. They’re hot on the Neighbourhood Watch around here. Good thing we don’t get anyrealtrouble in these parts.’
‘To be fair, we don’t have much trouble in the Bronx, I mean, Lower Slayton, either,’ Sarah winked.
Elsie chortled at her response. ‘Sorry for being a bit of a snooty pants before. Truth is, I wouldn’t be living here if my baby daddy hadn’t provided for me so well.’
‘You weren’t,’ Sarah said, amused by her turn of phrase. ‘I’ve enjoyed the catch-up. And if there’s anything you need in future, you know where I am.’ She handed Elsie her card. ‘My mobile number is on the back.’ She was about to say more when her phone rang. The sight of her sergeant’s number ignited a frisson of trepidation.
‘How’s it going?’ her sergeant barked, as soon as Sarah picked up the call. Usually, any instructions would come through her police airwaves, delegated by control. Was she checking up on her?
‘I’ve just finished my second job,’ she said, checking her watch. ‘About to head to my third.’
‘Scrap that, go straight to Simon Irving’s address.’
‘Irving?’ Sarah said. ‘What’s happened?’
