Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

T he pub was quiet, and Ana sat at the bar with her drink. Her mind was racing. It had been one thing finding out where he was but another to have it confirmed. In truth, she had expected it to be a lot more difficult. Without realising it, she tightened her hands into fists. The fragrance was still in her nostrils, and her heart raced. Grabbing a tissue from her handbag, she blew her nose. Had she secretly hoped it wouldn't be him? Now the time had come, did she have the courage to do what she'd planned?

‘Hello there, drinking alone? Never a good sign.' Ana turned with a start to see Luke. He looked different in casual clothes.

‘I was just about to leave,' she said, sliding off her stool.

‘Have another on me,' he urged. ‘I'll take it personally if you leave just as I've arrived.'

Ana hesitated. Wasn't he married? ‘Just the one. I'll get them in. I've got to buy a round sometime.' She smiled.

Luke conceded. ‘Equal rights, fair enough. London Pride for me. I'll get us a table. That Jack over there has got big ears.'

‘I bloody heard that,' said Jack.

Luke chuckled. ‘See what I mean?' Addressing the landlord he said, ‘We might talk police business.'

‘Yeah, sure,' said Jack, taking Ana's order. ‘How you liking it here?'

‘Too soon to say,' said Ana.

‘Straight to the point, aren't you?'

‘Sure am. Thanks, Jack.'

‘He's married, you know,' he said softly, nodding at Luke.

Ana smiled. ‘I know, but I appreciate the warning. I assure you, he's not my type.'

‘So why is a pretty girl like you drinking alone?' asked Luke when she'd sat down.

‘What's a married man like you doing in a pub alone?'

‘My wife doesn't understand me,' he said with a grin.

Ana smiled and sipped at her drink. The fragrance still lingered in her nostrils, sending a shiver down her spine. ‘That's an old one. What's hard to understand?' she asked.

‘Let's just say it's complicated,' added Luke. ‘How about you? There must be someone in your life.'

Ana shook her head. ‘Let's just say it's complicated.'

Luke grinned. ‘If you ever need a drinking companion, just let me know.'

‘Actually, I only just dropped in on my way back. I've been checking out the neighbourhood.'

Luke laughed. ‘I bet that didn't take long.'

‘I checked out the journey from Stonesend to Summertown.'

Luke put down his pint. ‘You're not still on about that hit and run, are you?'

Ana noticed that Luke's cheeky grin had now disappeared.

‘I was wondering, did you check the CCTV camera at Bladon on the A44? Only it's not mentioned in the files.'

Luke frowned. ‘To be honest, I can't remember. I imagine we must have. It will be in the evidence somewhere.' He took another swig from his beer.

‘I checked all the CCTV recordings. I didn't see it.'

‘Most likely a new one, then. They're throwing the things up all the time.'

‘There was also a garage CCTV–'

‘What are you after exactly?' Luke glared at her. ‘A promotion or something? I notice that you're always crawling into the boss's office.'

Ana took a sip of her drink. ‘I'm doing my job, that's all.'

‘No, you're looking into someone else's investigation, and that's a bit of an insult,' he said. ‘I did a good job. If there had been someone to be found for knocking over Vanessa, I would have found them. This is a close-knit community. Everybody knows Vanessa. We didn't make any mistakes.'

‘I'm not saying anyone did a bad job. I like her and–'

‘We all like her, so we worked hard to find the bugger who knocked her over, but…' He sighed. ‘Look,' he said wearily, his voice softening, ‘I think you and I have got off on the wrong foot. I have some personal issues and may have been over-defensive.'

I don't give a fuck about your issues , Ana thought. She opened her mouth to speak, but he held his hand up to stop her.

‘Not your problem, I know, but maybe I was dismissive. If you think I missed something, then fair enough. Let's at least work together on it.'

You worked so hard on it that you missed one security camera and one CCTV camera , thought Ana. If there was one thing Ana hated, it was lazy cops, but the least she could do was to be gracious. ‘I'm sorry if I've upset you,' she lied.

‘No hard feelings.' Luke seemed to have calmed down.

‘Good. See you tomorrow,' she said, finishing her drink and standing up.

‘Sure. I'll go through all the evidence.'

Ana nodded in response. ‘Thanks.'

‘Mates?' asked Luke.

‘Mates.' She smiled while thinking, Only mates.

‘Bye, Jack,' she called.

Jack waved. ‘See yer,' he said.

Ana knew Luke thought she was a pain in the arse, which was why she had bought the drinks. He most likely saw her as a threat. Maybe I am , she thought with a smile.

Laine passed people carrying branded shopping bags and sipping on-the-go coffees. That's what I want , she thought. Not just now but always.

‘I could do with one of those,' said Jassy, eyeing up the coffee. ‘I'm parched.'

‘Let me try on the shoes first,' said Laine, pointing to a pair of red heels in the shop window.

The shoe shop was lovely and cool. ‘I love air conditioning,' sighed Jassy.

Boots and shoes lay on the floor where people were trying them on. Ladies with posh voices were strolling back and forth in new shoes. ‘I'm really not comfortable,' whispered Jassy. ‘All these posh people and stuff.'

‘Enjoy it.' Laine smiled. ‘Can I try on the red shoes in the window?' Laine asked an assistant.

Laine and Jassy waited while the assistant got Laine's size.

Jassy stared at the shoes in wonder. ‘Aw, look at those,' she said, watching with envy as Laine tried them on.

‘I love them,' said Laine. ‘I want to wear them to the village fair. How much?'

‘A hundred and seventy-five pounds,' said the assistant without batting an eyelid.

Jassy gasped. ‘You what?'

‘I'll take them,' said Laine.

Jassy stared at her in shock. ‘What?' she said, grabbing Laine's arm. ‘Are you out of your mind? Where have you got a hundred and seventy-five quid to spend on a pair of sodding shoes?'

‘In here,' said Laine, pulling out her purse and showing Jassy the wad of notes inside.

‘Jesus,' breathed Jassy.

Laine took the branded bag from the assistant and walked proudly from the shop.

‘What? How? I mean, blimey,' stuttered Jassy. ‘Did you rob a bank?'

‘I'm getting a really nice dress too and some jewellery. I want Sajid to see what he's lost.'

Laine pulled a stunned Jassy into Costa Coffee.

‘I'll get them,' said Laine, opening her purse.

She saw Jassy looking at the wad of notes.

‘Where did you get all that?' Jassy asked, shocked.

‘What you don't know can't get you into trouble.' Laine smiled.

Jassy was too dazed to reply.

Laine returned with coffee and muffins. ‘Look at your face,' she laughed. ‘Don't worry. I can buy us both a nice dress.'

‘But–'

‘Look, don't ask, and I won't tell. There's more where this came from.'

Jassy looked worried. ‘You'll get into trouble, Laine.'

Laine tucked into her muffin. ‘I won't, honest. We'll get dresses after this and go to that Thai place for lunch.'

Jassy was finding it hard to swallow her muffin, not knowing where the money came from to pay for it. How could she possibly eat a Thai meal? Then again, she reasoned, it wasn't her problem. After all, she didn't nick the dosh, and it probably came from some posh nob who could afford it.

‘Okay,' said Jassy, biting into her chocolate muffin. ‘Why not?' Why shouldn't we tuck into a slap-up meal for once in our lives?

Laine smiled. ‘Let's enjoy ourselves.'

Deep down, though, all Laine could think of was Sajid. Part of her hated him for being so weak, while the other half understood and wanted to tell the world that Sajid was just like them. He was caring, kind, thoughtful, loving, and the perfect son. The colour of his skin didn't make him a bad person.

At night, she'd lie in bed and listen to her dad snoring in the room next door, and she knew he would never accept Sajid. Sometimes, she imagined them as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Both their parents would hate the thought of them together. Needles would go apeshit and cause fights and no doubt get his mates to intimidate Sajid's family. Why did she have to be born into this family? It wasn't fair. It's not her fault she fell in love with Sajid. You can't choose the person you fall in love with.

‘Come on.' Jassy was nudging her. ‘I'm bloody starving.'

Laine knocked her bruised thigh on the table leg and winced. The memory of what happened instantly shot through her mind. She pushed it away before any tears came.