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

‘I’m good for a bit yet, I can still feel my knuckles.’

Her light heartedness was acknowledged, and her mask fell silent again.

It was the life of a diver: you either didn’t mind the quiet, claustrophobic nature of being underwater and stayed in the job for years, or you hated it and didn’t dive. There wasn’t really an in-between. Over the years, people had commented that it couldn’t be all that bad underwater, that the UK had clean water ways didn’t it? Marlo just responded that it was like swimming through ‘poop soup’, dark, dingy, and often smelly when you were above the surface line. Despite this though, all Alpha Team, bar Connor, and the members of Bravo Team had been in the job for years. Spaces were scarce on the team and didn’t come up often. Most wannabe police divers resorted to other roles in the hope that one day their dreams would be realised.

She groaned a little as her hand started going into cramp. It was time for a break.

‘Coming topside,’ she said before kicking powerfully towards the surface.

Marlo’s Flat, Sunderland – 12 November

Marlo rubbed the towel through her hair and pulled it through the bobble into a loose, messy ponytail. Her bones finally had warmth seeping into them, and she’d stopped shivering under the scalding heat of the bath she’d just clambered out of.

The silent screams in her head were exceptionally loud tonight, and she frowned as she placed the bottle of red on the side to rest. She suddenly felt incredibly lonely.

She’d never told a soul about the things that haunted her, not even Deena who knew her better than anyone. She’d like to say it was being brought up in care that prevented her saying anything: a lack of skill with boundaries and relationships, but it wasn’t. She was ashamed, it was that simple. If I hadn’t – nope, not going there. She pushed the screams aside and made an impulsive decision.

Loneliness fuelled by red wine was an accident waiting to happen, so she grabbed the bottle of wine, and made her way towards Ali’s front door. It was only once she arrived that her common sense kicked in. What the hell am I doing? I’m not the girl who knocks on a guy’s door in the middle of the night.

‘But you’re lonely and he did say rain check,’ argued her mind mercilessly.

Yeah, rain check on coffee, not wine. This is a bad idea.

She turned to leave and jumped as she realised Ali was standing behind her, obviously assessing her reasons for being there.

‘I was, erm … just…’ Marlo fell silent, her panic now so deep she could barely follow her thought train, let alone string the sentence she didn’t even know how to say together.

‘Bringing me a bottle of wine? Great, after the day I’ve had I could use a glass or two. I’ve just ordered a huge pizza, way too much for me so you’re welcome to stay and join me if you like?’ Ali grinned as her stomach grumbled in response. ‘Guess that’s a yes then, come on through.’

Her cheeks pink, she followed him through the door and into the flat. Glancing around, curiosity got the better of her, and she wandered to the huge mantelpiece in the middle of the lounge. The décor itself was simplistic, neutral colours that were neither here nor there, but there were photos all over. They adorned the top of the mantle and were mounted on hooks around the room. It made it very homely, and she couldn’t help but look at them. Most had the same dimple in the chin as Ali, and she realised they were all family.

‘Are all these people your brothers and sisters?’ The minute she spoke, she realised how incredulous she sounded, and looked at him, ready to apologise. She didn’t need to though Ali’s face was steeped in pride. He loved his family and hadn’t even noticed.

He moved closer and then reached round her to point.

‘That’s my mum and dad; Dad’s been dead a long time now but that’s one of my favourite photos. This one is all of us kids when I was like twelve. It’s in age order so you’ve got Alex, me, Mark and Annie are twins, then there’s Joseph, then James and Max, and finally our little Mary who’s the youngest. This one’s my siblings with their respective partners, and this smiling lot on the walls are my nieces and nephews.’

‘Big family,’ said Marlo, turning her face towards him and smiling.

‘Yeah, they’re fab. How about you? Brothers and sisters?’

‘No, well, kind of, but not really,’ realising she sounded confusing she clarified, ‘I grew up in care. I guess the other kids in the homes classed as brothers and sisters, but not in the real sense. I grew up alone.’

‘Sorry to hear that,’ pausing not knowing what else to say, Ali pointed at a large picture of a blond toddler, grinning a toothy smile. ‘This is Izzy. You know my brother Alex, he’s a DCI? Currently working out of Newcastle?’

‘He’s married to Cass, right? The crime scene manager?’

‘Yeah, Izzy’s their daughter.’

Forgetting where she was for a moment, Marlo leant back into Ali’s chest. He froze instantly, and she scrunched her eyes together tightly. Way to go, Marlo, just do shit that’s totally inappropriate as usual.

Ali didn’t say anything though, and he hadn’t moved away. She felt his fingers brush her arm and her heart thudded in response, then suddenly, the door buzzer sounded.

‘Saved by the bell,’ joked Ali lightly, stepping back and making his way over.

Retrieving the pizza, he took it into the kitchen and took the rubber cork she’d replaced in her flat, off the wine, pouring them both a large glass. He struck a match and lit the