The other police officer got out of the car.
‘All right,’ the policewoman replied calmly. ‘It’s OK. I won’t.’
‘It’s not OK, though, is it?’ Vic whispered through her tears. ‘You shouldn’t touch it because… because I’ve got HIV. I just found out.’
The policewoman’s tone became kind and gentle. ‘That is really good of you to let me know, Victoria.’
‘Please don’t be too nice to me. I’m only just managing to hold myself together.’ Vic made a noise between a blubber and a wail.
‘I’m so sorry you’ve had that news. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be to take on board.’ The police officer was sincere. ‘And it must be really hard telling people.’
‘You’re the first person I’ve told, actually,’ Vic whispered, noticing a curtain twitch in the neighbour’s house opposite. She realised that telling a stranger had felt a much easier thing to do, compared to the enormity of having to tell those she loved dearly.
‘That’s sounds like a big step, so well done.’ The policewoman nodded for her colleague to get back in the car. ‘I’ve got gloves in the med box, so I can happily patch you up.’
‘I think the neighbours have had enough of a show, don’t you?’ Vic shivered. ‘I’m going to get in the warm and jump in the shower. These things always look worse than they are, but thanks for the offer.’
‘So this… this family kerfuffle won’t have any repercussions tonight, you don’t think?’ The police officer looked directly into Victoria’seyes.
‘No, we’re all good.’ Vic nodded firmly, not quite believing that she had got away without any further questioning.
‘I appreciate you telling me about the – you know. That can’t have been easy. And take care of yourself, eh?’
Vic’s elbow was now really throbbing. ‘I will, thanks.’
As the police officer reached the car door, she turned. ‘Oh, and advise your brother to stay away from those sharks. He’s a minnow in a big dirty pond, and he might not get off quite as easily next time.’
When Vic appeared from the shower, Albie was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a beer, waiting for her. Her mum was right: he did look so like her dad when he was younger, with his dark, quiffed hair, dimples and sparkly blue eyes.
‘Where’s Mum?’ Vic picked up the glass of red wine she had poured earlier.
‘Catching up on the soaps.’
‘Is she all right?’
‘She’s pissed, so I guess so. I feel so bad that I had to push her through the door before. I just didn’t want her getting involved.’ He motioned towards the large plaster on his sister’s elbow. ‘Are you OK?’
‘My arm took the brunt of the fall.’ Vic lifted her elbow to look at it. ‘It looked worse than it actually is.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ He jumped up to hug her, but she pushed him away.
‘Get off me. And so you should be sorry. You could have been really hurt.’
He smiled. ‘I didn’t realise you cared.’
She couldn’t stop a grin forming. ‘Nor did I.’
‘Thanks, Vic. I mean it. I heard what you said to the old bill. You were brilliant.’
Vic felt a rush of anxiety fly to her stomach. ‘You heard everything?’
Albie didn’t look her in the eye. ‘Enough to know that you got me off the hook, sis,’ he stuttered.
He went to the back door. His hand visibly shaking, he lit a cigarette. ‘I didn’t deserve you doing that for me. Sis, you’re amaz…’ He blinked fast to stop the tears that had formed in his eyes.
‘Yes, I saved your bacon this time, but do you owe anyone else?’
Albie shook his head.
