Time To Play by KA Richardson (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

had never worked because Cass always felt so safe in the cottage. The light made him both happy and sad.

Not pausing to knock, he opened the door and entered. The smell of garlic and herbs hit him instantly: obviously some kind of pasta for tea. It smelt divine. He hung his coat on the rack near the door and turned just as Ollie, Cass’s huge dog launched his oversized paws in the direction of Ali’s shoulders. He held his weight and let the dog greet him, sloppy kisses covering his cheek and chin, before pushing the gentle giant off him.

‘Unc’ Awi,’ squealed an excited voice from the top of the staircase, her small hands rattling the stair gate impatiently, knowing that he would go and lift her over. And dutifully he did just that, sweeping his niece into his arms and giving her a huge kiss.

‘Hey, sqwudge. How’s my favourite niece?’

He carried her downstairs and into the kitchen.

‘Look who I found at the top of the stairs, a burglar!’

Alex and Cass both turned with a grin.

‘A burglar,’ said Alex, ‘my goodness. We all know what happens to burglars in this house, don’t we?’

He advanced towards Ali and Isobel squirmed in his arms.

‘No tickle, no tickle,’ she giggled hysterically before Alex even reached them. He tickled his daughter making her belly laugh loudly, before grabbing her from Ali’s arms and walking towards the door. ‘You, little miss, should be in your big girl bed until morning time. I’ll read you another story then you need to go to peeps, OK?’

The kitchen door closed behind them, and Cass grinned at Ali. ‘You look tired, you OK?’

Ali took the mug of coffee offered. He hadn’t even noticed her making it. He nodded. ‘Yeah, I’m OK, just knackered, I think. Was due on rest days tomorrow, but we had a murder in this morning. Some kid involved in drugs somehow, we think, but nothing conclusive as yet. Been a long week.’

‘Haven’t you got any leave due? Your mum was saying it’s been months since you’ve been home. She was almost set to come down here and frog march you back up there for some R and R.’

‘Yeah, have plenty due, but you know what staffing’s like at the minute. If you’re not off sick, you aren’t getting off. Already had my rest days cancelled due to this bloody murder. Am hoping I’ll be able to take them next week at some point. I’ll head up to see her if I get them authorised.’

‘She just misses you, Ali. She misses Alex too. She was saying she wants to come down and see Izzy in the next couple of weeks. Mary’s brood are on about coming too. It’ll be like a madhouse!’

‘They’re all wanting to stay here? Where on earth will you put them all?’

‘Dunno to be honest, but we’ll manage. We’ve had some quotes about getting the extension done at the back, so hopefully that’ll be going ahead shortly, though it won’t help this time. Be good to have the extra room though. Especially when—’

She paused, her face blushing slightly.

Ali immediately realised what she’d been about to say: he should have noticed immediately. A contented glow was emanating from her like sunshine itself.

‘Congratulations. I’m going to be an uncle again.’ He got to his feet and pulled Cass into a warm hug. ‘That’s fantastic.’

‘We just found out this morning, haven’t told anyone else yet.’

Alex came back in, and Ali broke apart from Cass with a grin. ‘Congrats, bro.’

He punched Alex on the arm with a smile.

This was what he needed, this feeling of belonging and warmth. If he could move in here and forget all his demons, he would. He felt a little acid rise from his stomach as he realised that it would never be the case. Swallowing hard, he focussed on enjoying the evening and tried to ignore the lead feeling in the base of his stomach.

 

Chapter Sixteen

Dive Team HQ, South Shields – 10 November

M arlo was late. She was never late, but today she hadn’t a hope in hell’s chance of making it in on time. ‘Sorry, Sharpie, had a nightmare of a morning. Some tosser keyed down the side of my car and slashed one of my tyres. I’ve put the spare on but then, when I was at the nick making the report, a piss-head decided that I was a taxi and nothing I said was going to convince her otherwise. One of the traffic lads ended up taking her home. And it doesn’t bloody stop there! On my way up the A19, happy as you like, and some knobber decides to undercut me almost causing me to hit a lorry, then speeds off as if nothing happened; and another bloke using his mobile phone was so far up my arse he could practically see my teeth! God, I need coffee. And Valium.’

Sharpie nodded with a grin. ‘Must be the day for it today, kiddo. Had a similar thing on my way in, though without the keying and tyre. At least you didn’t have to wait for the RAC or AA, you’d have been there forever. Don’t worry about it. Mac and Doc are late anyway. Mac’s on office duties only, but he’s coming back in for a few hours today. Doc went to pick him up as he’s not cleared to drive yet. Connor’s down in the kitchen making a brew so the kettle will have just boiled. Go and make yourself a cuppa.’ Taking a final long slurp of his own, he handed her his mug and added, ‘–nd make me another while you’re at it.’

Marlo headed down the corridor and decided that her bladder suddenly couldn’t wait until after coffee. She reached the bathroom door and froze as she heard what she thought was a sneeze at the bottom