‘No, I know,I know.’ Lola glared. ‘He’d gone becauseyouwere more interested in looking after the kids of drug addicts and broken homes than looking afterhim. Granny says…’
‘Granny?Whatdoes Granny say?’ I felt myself bristle.
‘Granny Pat, notGranny!’ Lola tutted.
It said a lot that my own mother had always been there, helping when she could, and yet Dean’s mum, Pat Butterworth, had rarely been around unless it was to roll up empty handed at Christmas and Easter, sitting with her dog’s bum’s pursed mouth, expecting everyone to attend to her every need.
‘Granny Pat says you’ve never been a proper wife to Dad…’
‘Right, enough. That’s enough! You’re too young to understand.’
‘Well, when Dad gets another new flat again, I’m going to live with him,’ Lola said.
‘Well.’ I came straight back at her, fed up now. ‘Good luck with that one, Lola.’ I relented, not wanting to send Lola off with a cross word. Without a goodbye kiss. ‘Come on, sweetie, I’ll walk down to school with you.’
‘I’m perfectly able to walk down the lane by myself, thank you very much.’
It was only when Lola had pulled on her coat and banged the door behind her, I realised my daughter had gone off without breakfast – something she’d never done before. And I’d not finished telling her what had happened to Blane Higson.
* * *
I’d assumed I’d need a lift down to the town’s police station to find out what was happening to the van, and was surprised when they rang to say they’d return Vera themselves.Shewas no longer needed for questioning, but they’d be calling round in the next few days to talk tome. Great stuff!
‘Jess!’ Fabian was exiting his own car at Hudson House as I pulled up in my allotted spot a little later. He came straight over, waiting until I’d cut the engine and moved round to let Arthur out of the van. ‘You OK?’
‘OK?’
‘After last night. What a bloody awful thing to happen to you.’
‘Worse for poor Blane,’ I said.
‘Well, yes.’ Fabian’s tone was doubtful. ‘But, I mean, Robyn told me about Dean as well. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.’
‘It died years ago,’ I said. ‘I let him back for Lola’s sake.’
‘I get that. But you know we’re all here for you. So, glad I’ve caught you. Kamran and I want your opinion on the layout of the new kitchens.’
‘You’re at the interior stage already?’ I stared.
‘We’re well beyond that,’ Fabian said impatiently. ‘I knew you hadn’t been keeping up to date with us. I did ask Robyn to remind you. Told her to tell you we needed your input. Mind you, she’s enough on her plate at the moment… So, the kitchen people are actually starting to fit the units today. And, another thing, will you get it out of your head that it’s “you…”’
‘Sorry?’ I stared again. ‘What’sme?’
‘It’s “we”, not “you”.’ Fabian smiled now, all impatience gone, reaching to pat my arm. ‘Me, you and Kamran: that’s “we”,’ Fabian said, bending to stroke Arthur. ‘Don’t know what you’re going to do with this dog once we’re running a restaurant.’
Running a restaurant? Panic surged once more. ‘The thing is, Fabian…’
‘Thething is, Jess,’ Fabian interrupted, ‘for some daft reason you’ve lost your nerve.’
‘Don’t think I ever had it to begin with,’ I said, attempting a smile.
‘I know, I know, I’m feeling just as full of trepidation myself.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’ Fabian smiled again but this time it was somewhat rueful. ‘I’ve given up my career, a well-paid job, to jump in with two left feet into something I know little about. Right, we need to crack on. The dog? Where’s he going?’
‘This minute?’
