‘Hot pink. I suppose it’s all over my face now, and I bet my mascara’s shot.’
‘Just a bit,’ said Annie.
Layla managed a laugh at that. She scooped a tissue from the side table and tried to compose herself. ‘I’m such a wimp,’ she sniffed, looking at Annie lying there, who had been through hell but seemed so composed. Her mother was strong as a rock, she admired her so much.
‘Dad told you about Alberto?’ she asked.
‘Yeah. He did.’
Layla clutched at her mother’s hand. ‘I don’t know if I can stand it. Him being gone. I really don’t.’
Annie said nothing as Layla started to cry again.
‘I’m in love with him, Mum,’ she managed to get out.
‘I know.’ Annie pulled her back into her arms and held her tight as she sobbed.
Abruptly, Layla pushed herself free. ‘You know?’
‘Honey, it was obvious.’
Layla wiped her eyes. ‘I’m never going to see him again. Am I?’
Annie compressed her lips, shook her head slowly. ‘No. None of us are.’
‘Only,’ Layla gulped, ‘I don’t see how I can live without him.’
Annie hugged her again.
‘You’ll live without him,’ she murmured against Layla’s brow. ‘You can do it. And you know why you can do it?’
Layla shook her head.
‘Because you have to.’ Annie wished she could take Layla’s pain away, but she couldn’t. She was going to have to work through this, learn to bear it. ‘I’m still here, and so’s your dad.’
But he’ll be going soon.
Annie didn’t say it. She didn’t even want to think it. But she knew that it was true.
Layla’s eyes drifted over to the connecting door lying there on the carpet. She started to smile. ‘Dad, right?’ she said, looking back at Annie.
‘Got it in one.’
‘Do you think you and he…?’ Layla hardly dared hope.
‘No. I don’t.’
The police called by a couple of days later.
‘Just a courtesy call,’ said DCI Hunter, when he and Annie were settled in the study at the front of the house. From her seat behind the leather-bound desk Annie could see out of the window. The black van that had been there for weeks was now gone.
‘Where’s DI Duggan?’ asked Annie.
‘Other duties. I thought I’d drop by to check that you’re OK,’ he said.
‘As you can see, I’m fine.’
‘What was it all about?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
Hunter looked at her sceptically. She looked right back at him. He was a handsome man, but so dour-faced.
‘Tell me something,’ said Annie.
‘Go on.’
‘Did you ever get back with your wife? I notice you don’t wear a wedding ring any more.’
‘No, I don’t. And I didn’t. The job, you know. It makes married life difficult.’
‘Shame.’ He looked like a man who needed some lightness in his life. She pushed away from the desk and stood up. ‘Well, it’s nice of you to call, DCI Hunter, but I have to go out, so if that’s all…?’