‘Is Ernie coming back to stay with you sometime or is he waiting until they all move in up the road?’ Jessie asks as she puts George’s shopping away.

‘E got t’stay with Anthony ‘til such time they sorts out what they’s goin t’charge im with’ George replies from the kitchen sink as he fills the kettle. ‘Anthony’s ‘sponsible fer im’ he says as he turns to put the kettle on the gas hob. ‘They wunt let im come ere less Anthony’s wi’ im’

‘I’m sure it’s not quite as strict as that, is it?’ Jessie pauses from counting out his change to look at him in surprise.

‘S’what he says. Conditions on ‘is bail or summat. E got t’stay wi’the boy’

‘But the boy doesn’t have to watch him every minute of the day, surely? That would be as bad for Anthony as it would be for Ernie if neither of them could be out of each other’s sight. What about when Anthony goes to work?’

‘I’s on’y telling  yer what e were sayin’ George says truculently, reaching into a cupboard for a jar of coffee.

‘Okay…never mind. It’s not that important. Not important enough for you to get all up in the air about it’ She pushes the pile of coins towards him.

‘I ain’t’

‘Doesn’t sound like it!’ Jessie folds the plastic carrier bag that the shopping came in and tucks it into her handbag. ‘You’re still a bit miffed aren’t you?’ she says ‘You’re annoyed that he chose to tell me first’

‘I been ‘is friend fer years’ George huffs, ignoring her teasing smile.

‘And so have I!’ she retaliates. ‘He wouldn’t have told me at all…neither of us probably, if I hadn’t pressed him on it’ She watches while George spoons coffee into two mugs and pours milk onto the granules, waiting for him to speak.

‘Your fault e’s gonna go t’prison’ he mutters finally.

Jessie colours angrily. ‘And that’s the cross I’ve got to bear. I had no choice, George. Not once he’d told me. I could have got into a lot of trouble’ Her mouth tightens, pursing as her head quivers indignantly. ‘I’m sorry you feel that way, I really am. In fact, I’m hurt and annoyed. I didn’t shoot anyone. I didn’t keep schtum while everyone else in the village was under suspicion’ She starts to fasten the zip on her jacket, her fingers trembling. ‘He may have been young and scared to death but he was damned well stupid and inconsiderate too! I refuse to take the blame for him having to pay the penalty now’ She pulls the zip to her neck and picks up her handbag.

‘Jessie…’ George moves to stop her as she heads for the door, blinking furiously.

‘No, George, I’m getting quite upset now. Best I go home’

4 Pike Lane

Chapter Fifteen

Tawny House, Manor Road

‘Oh, Jeannie, when will it ever end?’ Harriet rubs her forehead wearily, pinching the bridge of her nose and wincing against the beginnings of a headache.

‘Och…dinna fret yersel, it’ll come right, ye’ll see’ Jeannie pats her shoulder as she passes behind her.

‘I’m at a loss to know just how she persuaded the police that Lynn could be involved at all’ Harriet says, sitting at the table while Jeannie makes a pot of tea.

‘But hae ye not told them you were wi’the lassie?’

‘Yes’ Harriet sighs ‘but now they are saying that the incident is supposed to have happened prior to us meeting for lunch’ Her brow furrows. ‘I ask you!  The idea is so ludicrous I don’t know if to laugh or cry’ she says, looking up. ‘Lynn is alleged to have driven into Bath, somehow knowing that Ruth was going to be there, parked, walked into town, found the blasted woman, stabbed her, run off and then calmly met me from the train as if nothing had happened. It simply makes no sense at all’

‘The bobbies wull ken the woman’s nae right in the heid’ Jeannie says with certainty, warming the pot with hot water from the kettle and tipping it into the sink.

‘There were witnesses!’

‘How so when the lassie were nae there at all?’ she questions with a frown.

‘I have no idea but Ruth claims it was Lynn and those who went to her aid have said that someone answering her description was seen hurrying away’

‘But…’

‘I know’ Harriet sighs again, putting her hands together in front of her mouth and closing her eyes as she takes a deep breath to steady herself.

‘Will they hae one a these identity parades?’

‘They apparently use photographs now…’ She opens her eyes and lays her hands in her lap. ‘And the one good thing is that none of the witnesses have been able to make a positive identification. Whoever this person was, they were running away from the scene. A back view and a very brief glimpse of a face was all that they saw’

‘Then surely…wi’no witnesses, they cannae be pressing charges?’

‘It did not stop them harrying the poor girl for a confession. She has been let home pending further enquiries but Christopher says she has taken it very badly and is deeply upset’ Harriet’s mouth trembles as she tries hard to keep her emotions in check. ‘We had such a wonderful day too’

‘Aw…come awa hen, let’s not be having tears’ Jeannie crosses the room to put a comforting arm around Harriet’s shoulder.

‘I’m sorry…’ Harriet blots her cheeks with a handkerchief drawn from beneath the bracelet of her watch. ‘It’s just that….after all this while…I have a daughter. Someone to care for my Christopher as he should have been cared for long ago…’ Her hands ball into tight fists. ‘And this…this… bitch of a woman…is determined they shan’t be happy. I wish to God she would die!’

‘Wheesht! Now then. That’s nae way t’be talking. The Good Lord gi’eth and he taketh away…’ Jeannie walks back to the worktop, turning to give Harriet a nod. ‘It’s a fair shame he only saw fit tae tak the besom’s mind fae noo but the yin haes her card marked fae when the rest of her catches up wi’it’

‘Oh, Jeannie’ Harriet says with a watery smile.

‘That’s better. Noo drink this doon’ Jeannie sets a cup in front of her. ‘I’ve put a wee dram in there and ye’s tae go and hae a rest as soon as ye’ve drunk it’