What You Left Behind (41 page)

“Frank, you’ve done the right thing.”

“The phone’s back here in the bag,” he said, looking relieved. “And I reckon I gave Freddie a right old fright when I called round this morning. He nearly knocked me over, charging out of Gil’s place. Tony was nearby and marched him straight off, giving him a good telling off, I shouldn’t wonder.”

Lorraine nodded thoughtfully, said goodbye to Frank, and went back into the house.

Alison Black had arrived and was talking to Lana and Gil.

“And how are you feeling?” she said, turning to Freddie. Jo was still sitting beside him, holding his hand.

“They said I’m fine, that I can go home,” he answered. He was certainly looking much better.

“The detective has agreed to take your statements tomorrow,” Lorraine said to Freddie, Lana, and Gil. Then she held out her hands to Freddie and Jo. “We should go home now. And you must both come with us,” she added, looking at Lana and Gil. Alison agreed.

Sonia was still standing rigid against the sink, with a uniformed officer beside her. DI Walton came in and said a few words to the constable before leading Sonia away by the arm.

“Mum?” Lana said.

“It’s routine, love,” Lorraine told her. “They’ll need to question her at the station, perhaps keep her overnight, but I’m certain the courts will be lenient in this case. Try not to worry.”

As they passed through the courtyard, her instincts were telling her to help, to organize, to interview and take statements, but Lorraine had a quick word with Adam and he agreed to stay behind for a while. She told DI Walton she’d be in touch. It was more important for her to provide support to Jo, Freddie, Lana, and Gil now, as well as making sure Stella wasn’t too distressed. Malc had already gone back to Glebe House to be with her.

The sun was beginning to set as they walked off down the long drive, leaving the blue-and-white crime-scene tape spiraling behind them and the car lights flashing. Lorraine couldn’t help noticing how Lana’s hand slipped into Freddie’s, how her head briefly rested on his shoulder.

“H
UNGRY
?” J
O ASKED
Freddie as they went into the kitchen. He was staring around as if he’d been away forever.

“Er, yeah,” he said with a sheepish laugh.

“Lucky I made that chicken casserole then, isn’t it?” Jo said, as if she didn’t quite believe her son was home.

Malc crushed him in another embrace. “Good to have you back, mate.”

The kitchen was filled with the scent of wine and herbs and Jo busied about, trying to make Gil and Lana feel at home, even though there was nothing anyone could do to ease their pain, take away what had happened.

Lorraine left them to it and went to see Stella. She found her asleep in the living room, a book spread open on her lap. She sat down beside her and gently stroked her head.

“Love, it’s me.”

“Mum?” Stella sat bolt upright, bleary-eyed.

“Come here,” she said, pulling her close for a hug. It was what she needed.

“Are we going home soon?” Stella asked in a sleepy voice. “It’s really boring here.”

“Soon, love,” she replied. “Soon.”

41

The next morning Adam returned to Birmingham, promising not only to contact the appropriate authorities to ensure the offensive content about Freddie was removed from the internet, but also that they would bring a case against the perpetrators, as well as alert the school and their parents.

“I should have asked for help sooner,” Freddie admitted as they all sat in the garden to have lunch.

“That’s how the bullies get away with it, love,” Lorraine said, serving the salad and quiche Jo had brought out. “They bank on the threats keeping you quiet, that the shame will silence you.”

Freddie was nodding, having already agreed to chat with a counselor about it. “I thought I’d have a look at universities online later,” he
said. Lorraine noticed the smile on Jo’s face. Freddie was thinking of the future already, planning what he wanted to do. “I like the idea of studying economics.”

“Get you,” Lana said, squeezing his hand. A phone call from her mum earlier had cheered her up: Sonia was going to be allowed home that afternoon.

“And what about you, Lana?” Lorraine said. “You’ll be off to medical school before too long, won’t you?”

Lana blushed and looked at Freddie. “Mum’s not going to be very pleased,” she said, sipping her water.

“Just tell them,” Freddie said. “The truth’s always better.”

Lana nodded and took a breath. “I never wanted to be a doctor,” she confessed. “It was … it was Dad’s idea initially. Then Mum latched onto it, hoping I’d be as clever as Simon. The truth is, I didn’t actually write a single word on my exam papers. I’m not going to be a doctor.”

There was a moment’s silence.

“You’re very brave to do that Lana but now I won’t get better,” Gil said, munching his food.

“You don’t
need
to get better, Gil,” she replied, taking his hand. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

They ate the meal, enjoying being together despite the shadow cast by the week’s events. Malc promised he’d stay in Radcote for another week, adding to Jo’s growing relief, and Lorraine also promised not to leave for a couple more days.

L
ATER
, L
ORRAINE OFFERED
to take Lana to fetch her mum from the Justice Center. Lana was nervous but agreed it was the right thing to do.

“She’s been released on bail,” Lorraine explained on the journey
there. “There’ll be a court case, but not for a while yet. Taking everything into account, how she helped save Freddie, I think things will be OK for her.”

Lana nodded, taking it all in. “Thanks for everything,” she said earnestly as they walked up the steps of the police station.

When they all got back to the Manor, Gil was waiting at the door, excited to tell Sonia that he’d moved back into the main house.

E
ARLY ON
W
EDNESDAY
morning, Stella sat bleary-eyed in the passenger seat next to Lorraine. She had to get back for work meetings. In the last couple of days they’d been on two outings, including coaxing Freddie out on a narrow-boat day trip. He’d come willingly, knowing Lana would be joining them.

“Go, go!” Jo said with a laugh, pretending to shoo them away. “Get yourselves out of here while you can!”

The last few days had done her a world of good. Lorraine hadn’t said anything on Monday morning when Jo and Malc had come down for breakfast together in their dressing gowns.

“I’m coming back to see you for the day on Sunday, OK?” Lorraine said through the open car window. “And I’ll phone later tonight.”

Jo grabbed her arm through the window. “I’m sorry it’s been so awful.”

“Oh, Jo …” Lorraine got out of the car again. “It’s been pretty awful, yes—pretty much the most awful you’ve managed yet.” They fell into a hug. “Let’s keep in touch. We’re all we’ve got.”

Jo agreed, nodding furiously against Lorraine’s shoulder, fighting the tears.

“Are you sure you’ll be OK?” Lorraine asked.

“Malc’s staying for a bit.”

Lorraine held her at arm’s length. “Do you think you two will …?”

“I really hope so. It’s made Freddie so much happier already. I just hope Malc will be able to forgive me.”

“Keep talking to each other,” Lorraine said. “And look after that nephew of mine.”

She got back into the car, and Jo stepped back toward the house. Malc and Freddie had also come outside to see them off. The three of them stood in a huddle, Freddie in the middle, taller than both his mum and stepdad. He’d already said his goodbyes, thanking Lorraine profusely for sorting things out with DI Walton. As long as he was helpful and gave detailed and accurate statements, no charges would be brought against him.

Lorraine tooted the horn, crunching over the gravel as she turned out onto the lane. Soon they were leaving Radcote, heading back the way they’d come the best part of two weeks earlier.

“Is this Devil’s Mile again?” Stella asked, pulling open a bag of chips she’d found on the back seat.

“It is,” Lorraine replied.

She glanced in her rearview mirror before speeding up. She wanted to get out, get home. Leave events behind, though not leave her sister. Things would be different now. Closer, better. They’d see each other more.

“Is it where that boy killed himself?” Stella asked.

Lorraine slowed as they passed the wilted flowers tied to the tree. She turned sideways, catching a glimpse of a fresh bunch that had been put there—the colors were vibrant reds and yellows, the wrapping paper equally bright and new.

“Yes, it is,” she said.

“Do you know what happened to him?” Stella went on, crunching. Crumbs showered down her front.

Lorraine glanced at Stella, and stuck her hand in the bag of chips, pulling one out. “In all honesty, love, I don’t think I do.”

EPILOGUE

I’d never felt so alive, but that’s what Dean did to me. It had been a long time since I’d smiled like that. He convinced me, laughing, encouraging, kissing, that I could do things. He had such white teeth. His smile was one of the things that had drawn me to him. We’d met at New Hope, of course, where desperate souls collide.