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

earlier and told him she and Elvie were taking the bedroom. ‘Can’t even sleep in my own bloody bed, I so need a bigger flat.’ Then he felt guilty: his mum being down had been a godsend with the whole Elvie thing. She’d taken the kid under her wing and made sure she didn’t want for anything. Ali knew Alex was grateful their mum was visiting too. With him and Cass tied up with Connor and the murders, Izzy would have ended up with a multitude of babysitters.

The coffee maker whirred to life just as he heard a soft knock at the door.

‘You must be psychic,’ he said to Marlo, grinning as confusion passed over her face. ‘I just put the Tassimo on. Am having a chai latte, want one?’

‘Please,’ said Marlo. Frowning, Ali looked at her. She looked shattered. The kind of tired that seeps into your bones and makes you feel a hundred years old. Dark rings circled her eyes, and her skin was pale and drawn.

Leaving the cup on the side, he crossed over to her in three steps and without speaking, he pulled her into his arms tightly. He didn’t really know if she needed a hug, but it wouldn’t hurt. And when her arms snaked around his waist, he knew they didn’t need words. Suffice to say it had been a crap day.

They stood for what seemed like ages until Marlo pulled back slightly.

‘I believe the offer of a latte was made,’ she said, her voice gruff as she tried to keep the tears from spilling from her eyes.

‘Sure was,’ said Ali, putting the cup under the machine and hitting the pour button. ‘I won’t ask how your day went. It was obviously every bit as shit as mine. How’s Connor? Have you been to the hospital?’

‘Yeah, I popped in. They let me sit with him for a few minutes. He looks so small, Ali. It’s scary. They were saying they’re going to try to take him off the ventilator tomorrow so he can breathe on his own.’

‘That’s good. Maybe we’ll get the full story then. Alex was saying there’s a lot of unanswered questions, as well as a lot of supposition going on. Professional standards are already sniffing about, too, apparently. As it stands, it doesn’t look good for him like.’

‘I know. Alex told Sharpie about his dad’s suicide note and the 999 call Connor made. He admitted hitting his uncle with the mallet. Could’ve been self-defence, like, but as you say, ’til he wakes up and we can all talk to him, we don’t really know what happened.’

Ali took a sip of his latte – the sweetness was just what he needed. ‘You heading out to the reservoir tomorrow?’

‘Actually no, for the first time in I can’t remember how long I’m having my rest days. Feels like I’ve not been off in months. Though, to be fair, there’s a good chance we might get called in to assist with any searches, but that’ll depend on staffing and what comes in. Andy, the other dive team sergeant, has already said he’ll consider calling in from out-of-area if anything comes in. We’ve got our hands pretty full at present. Think I’m owed about a year in rest days now like.’ Marlo grinned at him ruefully.

‘Yeah, me too. Living the dream, huh? Did you always wanna be a cop?’

They’d migrated naturally through to the living room, and Ali pulled his legs up under him as he faced Marlo, waiting for her to answer.

‘Honestly, no. When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet. I love animals, always have. But being a vet involves understanding when it’s kinder to end an animal’s life. I didn’t think I’d be able to do that, so I found something else to do. Actually, I found a lot of different things to do before I settled on being a cop. I was a DJ for a while; I worked for a glazing company, even worked on a construction site. Eventually I realised that I wanted to do something to help people. Nursing was out of the question ’cos of my issues with blood, so being a cop was the next best thing. How about you?’

‘My dad. He was a cop, Alex is a cop. Even my uncle Angus is a cop. It was kinda expected I guess.’

‘Angus? Your uncle’s called Angus and your mum is Agnes? Are they siblings?’

‘Yeah.’ Grinned Ali. ‘My pops thought it would be hilarious – Mum got the piss taken out of her for years. They’re twins too.’

Marlo couldn’t help but giggle. The sheer exhaustion helped, and Ali found himself laughing with her. When the laughter ebbed, there was a comfortable silence while they both drank. Marlo stood to leave when she’d finished.

‘You’re going?’ asked Ali, trying his hardest not to sound disappointed, but failing miserably.

Marlo smiled as he stood. Surprising him, she leant down and captured his lips with hers, kissing him deeply. ‘I wish I could stay,’ she said against his lips. ‘But, your mum and Elvie are asleep in the bedroom, and if I stay, I’d be anything but quiet.’ She winked at him and straightened.

She looked much more alive now, her cheeks flushed pink at her innuendo. Ali knew she was right, but he really didn’t want her to go.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow, OK?’ she asked, as she pulled open the front door.

Not trusting himself to speak, Ali nodded.

He clicked the latch behind her and tried to reason with himself. She’s right, you’re knackered, she’s knackered. You need sleep…

Aye and a cold shower, his mind argued back as he made for the bathroom.

The Landing Outside Ali’s Flat, Sunderland – 17 November

Marlo paused outside of his front door and tried to steady her breathing. She’d never acted so brazen, kissing him like that. Walking away