‘They were Stout men, Martha. They didn’t die.’
‘Th-that’s only two.’
‘I only need one to disprove the curse.’
‘Nah, nah, there’s…’
‘For fuck’s sake, Martha. Only you would be stubborn enough to carry on believing in something even when you’ve been given proof to the contrary.’ Kim threw up her hands in despair. ‘I give up. You deserve your damn misery. You are the most exasperating, difficult, obstinate, aggravating excuse for a woman I’ve ever met.’
‘Feel better now?’ Martha asked calmly.
‘Actually, yes. But it is true.’
‘I ain’t arguing with yer, but what reason have I got to be any different? I’ve lost everything.’
‘Not really. You’ve got a dying son who needs your strength. You’ve got another son who you can support in living a long, healthy fulfilling life. And you’ve got a?—’
‘Don’t say it.’
‘She’s still your damn daughter whether you like it or not.’
Martha looked away.
‘Listen, I’m the last person to have any sympathy for Donna. I attended every crime scene. I saw what she did. I’ve visited the families and seen what they’ve lost. I saw her quite willing, eager even, to put a knife in a seven-year-old child. Trust me, she can rot in hell as far as I’m concerned. Her life as she knew it is over. She’s got no one. She’ll never see Eric again. But there’s two things you can’t get away from.’
‘Oh yeah?’
‘First, she’s your kid. You love her no matter what she’s done, and she’s gonna need you.’
‘What else?’
‘She did it for you. She wanted peace, and this was the only way she could think of to get it. She did it all for her family.’
Martha said nothing, but Kim knew the words had hit home.
She stood. ‘Do what you will, Martha, but I really hope that I never have to deal with you again.’
‘Likewise,’ Martha said, following her to the door.
She wasn’t surprised that the door closed behind her with no further words spoken.
‘I did my best, boy,’ she said, getting into the car.
She realised that throughout the last week, she’d been presented with one brick wall after another. Stubborn women had been the bane of her life throughout this case. Lena Hubbard had refused to let go of a feud that wasn’t even her cross to bear. Donna had stubbornly believed that ending the bloodlines of the original witches would bring her family back together and heal decades of hate. Gemma Ross had believed that if she waited long enough, Daniel would return to her.
Daniel’s sister had confirmed to Stacey that Gemma had already attempted to contact Daniel, whose phone had been in her care. Janine had wasted no time in advising Daniel’s old flame that she was not welcome in Scotland, that Daniel had no residual feelings for her, and that he hadn’t thought about her in years. Kim had cringed at the complete absence of sensitivity, but she also suspected that it was the only tone that Gemma would understand.
And finally Martha, good old Martha, who remained unshakeable in her belief in the curse despite being shown proof to the contrary.
She suspected that Martha would not change those beliefs for anyone.
Kim sighed as she started the car. She really hoped she’d never have to see the insufferable woman again.
* * *
‘You done yet?’ Kim asked her colleague as she entered the squad room.
‘Pretty much,’ Bryant said, bending down to fuss Barney. After a day off, he’d been in the office completing his statements.
