White Lilies (10 page)

Graham knelt down at the side of Bridey; turned her hand over and kissed her palm, ‘I don’t know if I can do it,’ he sobbed. ‘The thought of someone taking away part of you and Toby,’ he whispered. ‘Please tell me what to do,’ he begged.

Looking at her beautiful, tranquil expression, he sensed her answer. Suddenly, the image of the day she’d sat at the dining room table and filled in the donor card sprung to his mind. They’d been talking to a lady who had been running a stall for the Heart Foundation at a garden fete. Her name was Rita and she'd had a heart transplant six months before.

‘I couldn’t walk twenty yards without stopping for breath before, my love,’ she had said. ‘Couldn’t play with my grandkids, or go shopping with my hubby, never mind go on holiday,’ she said. ‘And now look at me,’ she’d giggled. ‘We’re off on a cruise in February,’ she’d said as she hugged her husband tight.

Bridey had made her decision there and then. She had always said people were brave who donated their organs, but after meeting Rita she didn’t have the slightest doubt that it was a wonderful gift to give to a fellow human being, the gift of another lifetime, to someone who deserved it like Rita had. He knew he would give his consent because she always knew the best thing to do.

He kissed Bridey’s forehead, then Toby’s chubby little cheek before he whispered. ‘Remember I’ll find you both again one day wherever you are. I love you.’

‘I love you more coz I’m older,’ she used to say back to him. Slowly, but without hesitation, he looked up at the doctor. ‘Take them, but do it quickly before I change my mind,’ he said as he sank into a nearby chair and put his head in his hands, weeping steadily.

‘She would be very proud of you,’ said the doctor.

Graham Tate’s large hands easily cupped the mug of tea the nurse gave him and he squeezed the ceramic vessel tight as he stared into space.

‘I’ll go open the windows,’ the nurse said putting her hand on Graham’s shoulder.

‘Why?’ he asked.

‘To let their spirits go free, together,’ she said, simply.

Graham nodded. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered.

‘Boss,’ John said quietly into his mobile phone. ‘Both mum and baby have been pronounced dead.’

Dylan couldn’t find the words. He sighed deeply, instead. ‘We’ve pulled Denton and Greenwood in, and their flat’s being searched. Give me a call when you’re leaving the hospital will you. I’d like you to be involved with the interviews.’

‘It might be a while, I’m just going to try to speak to Mr Tate, but as you can imagine...’

‘I know John. Just speak to me as and when you can mate.’

‘Will do,’ said John as he rang off.

DS Benjamin found himself in the room where Mr Tate sat, grasping the untouched mug of tea. ‘Can I take that from you Graham and get you a fresh cup?’ the nurse asked as she introduced John. ‘This is Detective Sergeant Benjamin, who would like to talk to you.’

Without fuss or question Graham Tate handed the nurse the cup.

‘Milk and sugar?’ the nurse asked John who nodded.

Graham Tate’s expression was blank.

‘I’m really sorry about your wife and son,’ John said. ‘I thought you might like me to tell you what we know about the accident, unless it’s too soon?’

Graham Tate shook his head. ‘No, please. Are you married?’ he asked, watching John who took a seat.

‘Yeah.’

‘Kids?’

‘Two – and no, I can’t begin to understand how you’re feeling right now.’

Graham Tate closed his eyes and shook his head. ‘They’d gone shopping you know, to Mothercare. Not a nightclub, nor a football match.’ He sighed. ‘A place you’d think they’d be safe. It’s the first time she’d been out on her own since she’d given birth to Toby. Just a short walk round the block, she’d said; just a chance to try out the new pushchair, you know.

'I would have been with them if we’d not been behind on the house build. She’d rung me and left a message to say they were okay and they both loved me, listen’ he said, holding his mobile phone tightly to John’s ear. He pressed a button and played the message.

‘Hi gorgeous daddy,’ said a happy smiling girly voice. ‘Toby wanted to let you know he’s got lots of nice things,’ she giggled. ‘I know you’d be worried so I thought I’d ring you to let you know we’re all safe and sound without you fussing over us. Just going back home now for a feed, aren’t we son?’ she said. ‘We love you lots and see you soon.’ The phone went dead.

Graham put the phone to his ear and played the message again. Tears ran down his face, his mouth wide with grief.

John’s heart sank. The nurse carried in two mugs of tea and handed them to the men.

‘Mr Tate, Graham, try drinking some, please? And let me tell you what we know.’

‘Wait, let me show you their picture,’ he said, taking photographs out of his wallet with trembling hands then touching the images fondly. He mopped his tears with a handkerchief.

‘They’re beautiful, Graham,’ John said, looking closely at the young faces – so alive, so happy.

‘I’ve just agreed to donate their organs you know,’ Graham said. ‘She’d signed up you see.’ He looked to John for approval and John nodded. ‘But it was the hardest thing …’ he said, gulping. ‘And now I’ve got to live with it.’ He looked up at John and he saw the panic rise in his eyes.

‘How could I have agreed for my wife and son's body to be mutilated? How could I?’ he said sobbing.

‘Your wife and son will probably save more than one life, maybe even another mother and child who would have died without your bravery. Bridey was obviously a very sensitive and caring person. If she signed that donor card, she has trusted you to make sure those wishes are carried out,’ John said.

Graham, deep in thought, took a sip of tea from his cup but didn’t speak. However, obviously mulling John’s words over, he looked calmer.

‘The car involved in the accident was a Ford Fiesta. That car was found burnt out shortly after the accident but it was reported stolen,’ John said. Graham turned his head to look at John with red, expectant eyes. ‘Stolen?’ he asked.

‘Well, we’re not certain it was actually stolen, although we did find a screwdriver jammed in the ignition. A police officer spoke to the registered owner of the vehicle and his friend when they reported the car missing. We’re turning their house over at the moment and then we’ll interview them.’

‘Who are they?’ Graham whispered. ‘Tell me who they are?’ he said his voice rising. ‘I’ll get the truth out of the bastards for you,’ he said through clenched teeth.

‘Listen Graham, earlier in the day we believe the pair failed to stop for a police car that was in pursuit of their car. They jumped a red light at the railway barrier, narrowly missing being wiped out by the Leeds train. At that point the police lost them. A few hours later, the car was seen again by a police patrol in the town centre as it was approaching traffic lights. The lights turned to red and the police driver pulled in behind them. The officers got out and as they went towards the car to speak to the two occupants, the driver set off at speed and went up onto the pavement, which is when they hit Bridey and Toby’s pram. The officers cannot be sure who was driving the vehicle at the time though.’

‘Who are they? Tell me?’ Graham asked again.

John shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t give you the names. We’ve got to ascertain whether they were driving the car first.’

Graham Tate stared at the floor. ‘And if it is them?’

‘Then you’ll be told.’ John said, laying a hand on Graham’s shoulder. Graham sat up straight and stared him in the eyes.

‘Good, because once I know who did it they won’t be safe even locked up.’ he said, vehemently.

‘Look, I’ll arrange to speak to you and Mrs Tate’s parents tomorrow with my boss, Detective Inspector Jack Dylan,’ John said, standing up to leave.

‘Come on mate give me their names. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to get hold of them if you were in my position,’ Graham said, staring straight into John’s eyes.

‘You’re understandably very angry at the moment, but I’m sure Bridey wouldn’t want you to do anything stupid.’

‘She won’t know will she? She’s not here to see.’ he replied, shrugging his shoulders. ‘So what does it matter?’

‘If you need anything, here’s my number.’ John said, handing Graham Tate his card. ‘The Coroner’s Officer will be along to see you shortly and I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Come on, name them,’ Graham shouted after him as he walked out of the room. John didn’t look back. The door slowly began to close ‘One father to another, I won’t stop till l find them and then you’ll have two more bodies,’ he shouted. John heard a loud cry. The door banged shut.

John walked on not allowing the straight-faced mask of the detective to slip once, while inside, his heart ached for the young man who had lost everything.

Danny Denton and Billy Greenwood signed their release from custody forms, agreeing to be bailed. Their black Subaru stood proudly in the back yard of the police station awaiting them. The officer dropped the key fob in Danny’s outstretched hand. Danny examined the exterior carefully. The officer breathed deeply through his flared nostrils, turned and marched briskly across the parade square without a word passing his pursed lips.

‘Best get ourselves a new phone Billy, it’ll be ages before they give us ours back,’ Danny said.

‘And two more stripes for the wing.’ Billy shouted, a cheeky grin crossing his face.

The officer stopped momentarily in his tracks, but thought better of retracing his steps and walked on into the police station.

The boys grinned. ‘It’s time we gave Pam a call to tell her we’ve been locked up and wrongly accused of sommat,’ Danny said, sighing dramatically as he slid into the driver’s seat. ‘I wonder if that copper’s kid Sara goes to her school? We should ask her.’ Danny said with his eyebrow raised.

It was late. Pam’s mobile phone vibrated.

‘Hello’ she said in a whisper as she answered the unknown number flashing on her phone, from under her duvet.

‘Pam, Danny. We got pulled by the cops.’

‘Oh my God,’ Pam said.

‘Don’t panic, we’ve done nothing wrong. But they’ve took our mobiles off of us, so we’ve had to get a new one.’

‘Are you alright?’ she said.

‘Yeah, course. Tell you all about it tomorrow,’ he said, grinning over at Billy as he turned the wheel and revved the engine to take the next corner at top speed.

Pam sighed with contentment and plumped up her pillow. How awful she thought, snuggling down under her duvet, to be locked up for something you hadn’t done. Why didn’t the police leave Danny alone? She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. She closed her eyes, turned over and willed herself to go to sleep, for the sooner that happened, the sooner it would be morning.

Before she knew it Pam heard the distant cries of her mum and dad calling her. In the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep she heard the front door slam and the house shake.

Pam yawned and stretched. Her eyelids shot open. She jumped out of bed and raced to the window to watch her parents drive away.

Outside, leaning against a black shiny new car, was Danny. She stood statue-like as she watched him look both ways up and down the road and then walk up the driveway, Billy in his wake. She heard Danny’s knock at the front door. Flinching, she hid behind the bedroom curtain not sure what she should do. Her heart hammered in her chest. How long had he been there? The knocks got louder and followed by shouts of her name. She ran down the stairs, pulling her dressing gown over her shoulders. She’d have to answer the door before the pair drew attention to themselves.

‘What’re you doing here?’ she said with a grin that spanned her flushed face. Danny stood leaning against the doorjamb, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

‘Thought you might want a lift to school in our new wheels.’

‘That’d be great but I’m not dressed. Look, I won’t be a minute. Come in before someone sees you,’ she said pulling Danny in by his hoodie. She waved Billy in behind him and then popped her head around the door and glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

‘Can I use your karsi?’ asked Billy, as she shut the door.

Pam frowned.

‘Your bog.’ Danny said.

‘Top of the stairs,’ she said. Distractedly, she pulled her dressing gown tightly round her.

Danny and Pam watched him run up the stairs, two at a time.

‘He’s not the only one who’s desperate,’ Danny said with a grin as he reached out for her. He pulled her towards him. With two arms he held her tightly around the waist. ‘But not for the…’ Danny pulled her to him and kissed her roughly on the lips.

Pam’s heart pounded. She could hardly breathe. This is how she had dreamt it would be to be loved by Danny Denton. He expertly untied the knot in the belt of her dressing gown and it fell open to reveal her pyjamas. He leaned forward and she dropped her head as he pulled the straps to one side and rained kisses on her neck. She closed her eyes. Her legs felt like jelly.

Billy searched quickly and quietly through the bedrooms, he pocketed the small amount of cash and jewellery that he came across. Inside the small drawer of the dressing table he could hardly believe his eyes, when staring up at him were keys tagged and labelled with the shop, surgery and house details. He put them in the breast pocket of his jacket and zipped it up, patting it gently. Grinning at his reflection in the mirror, he turned and headed for the door to the landing and shut it behind him with a bang.

Pam pushed Danny away. He moaned and tried to hold onto her by sucking hard on her neck. She heard the toilet flush, Billy’s footsteps on the landing and then him running down the stairs.

‘I’m gonna be late for school if I’m not careful,’ she said, with a grimace as she released herself from Danny’s hold and ran past Billy on the stairs. Billy winked at Danny.

‘Pam stood before her dressing table mirror and inspected her blotchy neck. Damn it, she thought that always happened when she got excited. Then she saw the love bite. How on earth was she going to explain that to her mum and dad. ‘Grrr…’ she cried, grabbing a scarf from the door handle as she hurried out. Good job these things were in fashion, she thought. She was pleased with how organised she had been under the circumstances; that was what being grown up was all about, wasn’t it?

Within minutes, they were in the car and on the way to school.

‘The car is amazing Danny,’ Pam said, admiringly stroking the leather seat.

‘Special, int’ it? Cost us a pretty penny didn’t it Billy?’

‘Sure did,’ Billy said, turning around to wink at her.

‘Ever thought of skiving off one day?’ Danny asked as he made contact with her pale blue eyes in the rear view mirror.

‘I’ve never had reason to,’ she said shyly.

‘Well, what if I asked you to? Good enough reason?’

‘Yeah it is,’ she grinned, shyly.

They were at the school gates and as she leaned forward to get out of the passenger side door Danny leaned over. ‘I’ll text you later, but think about what I said.’

Wow
, she thought staggering up the school’s driveway in a dreamlike state. ‘What a morning.’ The smile on her face reached from ear to ear. Now she sighed, the sigh of pure contentment.

In the classroom it mattered not what the lessons were, all she could think about was the impending day out and where they might take her. Dreams really did come true if you wanted them to, she sang in her head.

‘Pamela, Pamela. Are you paying attention?’ The teacher’s voice broke her thoughts but only for a moment. ‘You’ll wish you’d listened to me one day, girl,’ said her headmistress.

‘Yep,’ she replied, scrawling Pam Loves Danny on her notebook.

‘Well, sit up and try to look as if you’re listening. Sex education is important. even if you think you know it all at your age,’ the angry teacher stressed.