Chapter 55

Chapter 55

PC Dave Reynolds looked up from the stack of presents, taking in his smartly dressed wife, who hovered in front of him, nervous and excited.

‘Well, go on then, open them!' she implored him. ‘We've been waiting all day for you to get home.'

‘We?' Reynolds replied coolly.

‘Well, Archie wanted to be here,' she added defensively. ‘He waited in until five, but he's got football practice. I did tell you about it, would have reminded you this morning, but you shot off so early …'

‘So it's my fault we can't all be together?'

‘Oh, don't be like that, Dave, it's just the way things worked out. So, go on, open them.'

Relenting, Reynolds hung his jacket over the nearest chair, picking up the first present. Ripping the paper off, he discovered a brand-new Apple watch.

‘Is that the one you wanted?' Jackie twittered. ‘The right model and colour?'

‘Spot on. Thank you.'

‘It's my pleasure, treasure,' Jackie cooed. ‘And the rest?'

Reynolds opened his haul methodically, discovering a new pair of running shoes, a book on share trading, a poker set, some black jeans and, finally, a new leather collar for the dog, complete with hi-vis edging.

‘Thought Willow would look rather smart in that. Plus, it would keep her safe.'

‘That's very thoughtful of you,' Reynolds replied softly. ‘In fact, all this is very thoughtful of you …'

‘We aim to please.'

Jackie Reynolds did a little curtsey, giggling to herself as she did so.

‘Now, I've got a couple of steaks in the fridge. Why don't I get cracking on them, we can open some wine, have a nice dinner together?'

She smiled at her husband, loving and warm, but received nothing in response.

‘It's been ages since we had the place to ourselves,' Jackie continued gamely, a nervousness creeping into her tone now. ‘Be nice to have a romantic night in …'

‘Well, that all sounds very pleasant,' Reynolds responded calmly. ‘But before we get to that, is there anything else we need to discuss?'

‘I don't think so,' Jackie responded uncertainly.

‘Anything you want to tell me?'

‘No, no. Like I said, I've just been waitin—'

‘Like the fact that you had a visitor this morning.'

Instantly, Jackie's face fell. She'd been hoping to get away without confessing this to her husband, but now she had little choice.

‘Neighbours been gossiping again, have they?' she responded tersely. ‘Who was it? Janet? Peter?' she accused.

‘It doesn't matter who told me. Who was it?'

‘It was … it was a police officer.'

Reynolds stared at her, hard and cold. Jackie was already starting to panic, her chest rising and falling sharply, as if she was struggling to breathe.

‘The brake light on the car wasn't working, so she pulled me over.'

‘Where?'

‘Here. On the drive. Said she had to give me a ticket.'

‘Did you check that the light wasn't working?'

‘Why would I?' Jackie wheezed, putting her hand to her chest.

‘Never mind. Who was it?'

‘Helen Grace, I think she said. She's based in Southampton Central, said she knew you.'

‘What happened?'

‘Nothing,' Jackie insisted, looking ever more alarmed. ‘She said she had to write me a ticket, so we stepped inside and—'

‘She came in here ?' Reynolds demanded, furious.

Jackie looked at her husband, terrified now. She was beginning to hyperventilate, her asthma robbing her of energy, of breath.

‘Let me get my inhaler and then I'll—'

‘Answer the question first.'

Jackie stopped in her tracks, looking back at her husband beseechingly. But his face was set like granite.

‘Yes, she … she came in here,' she stuttered.

‘And? What then?'

‘She wrote it up, we chatted a bit. About policework, about you.'

‘You stupid bitch.'

The words hit Jackie like a slap in the face. All tenderness, any sense of celebration had now evaporated, replaced by burning anger and bitter disappointment.

‘Why the fuck did you open your big mouth?'

‘I had no choice. She was in here, she was asking questions, what was I supposed to do?'

‘You were supposed to say nothing, take the ticket and keep your trap shut. You must see that the whole thing was a bloody ruse, to get in here, to take a look at our house, our life. I bet she had a good look around, didn't she?'

‘No, not really. I mean she stayed a bit longer than I expected, but I just thought she was being chatty.'

‘Jesus Christ, Jackie, use your brain. She's a plain-clothes officer, bloody CID. What business does she have pulling you over for a traffic offence, writing you up a ticket, talking her way into our bloody home. Did none of that seem odd to you? Are you really that stupid?'

‘I wasn't thinking straight,' Jackie protested tearfully. ‘I was freaked out about getting a ticket. I thought she was just doing her job and that I should play nice.'

‘Well, isn't that just you all over,' Reynolds sneered. ‘Never were the sharpest tool in the box, were you?'

‘Look, I'm sorry all right? I don't know what I've done wrong, but I'm sorry. Now please …'

She paused, breathless, unable to find the words, before rasping:

‘… please can we just have a nice evening together?'

‘You've already ruined the evening, so what would be the point?'

‘Don't say that …'

She gasped, looking unsteady on her feet now, but managed to persevere.

‘Please don't say that, Dave. We've got the whole night ahead of us … I've got … I've got plans …'

She couldn't continue, moving away now to pick up her inhaler from the mantelpiece. But Reynolds was too quick for her, nipping in first and snatching it up. Confused, she grasped for it, but once more she was frustrated. Though no taller than his wife, Reynolds' reach was longer and he held it out behind his back, a triumphant expression on his face.

‘Dave, please …'

But he continued to stare at her hatefully, keeping her at bay with an outstretched arm. Desperate, Jackie made a grab for the inhaler, but he batted her away.

‘I need … I …'

She gripped the chair, suddenly unsteady on her feet. Her chest was tight enough to burst, her breathing laboured and her vision darkening. She felt as if the room was closing in on her.

‘Dave, I …'

She took another step forward, holding out her hand beseechingly. He watched, half angered, half amused, enjoying her desperation. Then slowly he brought his arm round, pressing it into her grateful palm.

‘Thank you,' she breathed.

But she didn't get any further, Reynolds slamming his fist into her stomach. Immediately, Jackie doubled up, collapsing to the floor. But Reynolds made no attempt to tend to her, to help her up. Instead, he snatched up his jacket whilst whistling for the dog. As Willow trotted to his side, Reynolds looked down to his wife, his expression full of scorn and anger.

‘Thanks for nothing, bitch.'

And then he was gone, slamming the back door shut behind him as Jackie tore the top off her inhaler, sucking on it greedily, even as she sobbed her heart out.