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

‘Yup, Johnny’s doing them as we speak,’ replied Cass with a grin.

‘Just pop outside with me for a sec,’ said Ali, needing to speak with Cass privately.

‘Have you spoken to Alex today?’

‘Yeah, briefly when we left the house and through a couple of texts. Why?’

‘Has he mentioned his theory to you?’

‘Oh, you mean that his case possibly overlaps with yours? Yeah, we talked about it last night. I’ve mentioned to submissions to compare the nail scrapings to Connor’s dad’s DNA. His PM is scheduled for tomorrow, I think, but don’t quote me on that. Kev’s handling it. I’ll email him and ask him to update you as well as Alex if you like?’

‘Yeah, if you don’t mind. Is Mum at yours this evening?’

‘Yeah, her and Elvie are having dinner with us. Then they’re coming back to yours, so you’ll have to go to Marlo’s if you want to get your end away,’ teased Cass crudely.

Ali couldn’t stop the blush burning its way all the way from his neck to his forehead.

‘It’s a good thing, Ali. You’re too nice a guy to be single and focussed on your career so much. Marlo brings out the smiles in you. Maybe it’ll turn into something, maybe it won’t – but it damn sure wouldn’t hurt to give it a go.’

‘Yes, Mum,’ said Ali. He knew she was right though. He already had an inkling it, whatever it was, was going somewhere as opposed to nowhere. It had hit him last night as he’d held her in his arms.

‘Go see my goddaughter,’ he ordered, giving Cass a gentle push towards the stairs. ‘I’ll catch-up with you tomorrow. Elvie’s immigration meeting is at 10 a.m. so I’ll let you know how that goes.’

Surprising him, Cass turned and kissed him on the cheek. ‘You’re a good guy Ali McKay. start believing it a little more.’

He didn’t have a chance to reply – she’d pushed the stairwell door open and disappeared before he could.

Marlo’s flat, Sunderland – 18 November

For the first time in ages, Marlo had had a relatively lazy day. She’d offered to take Elvie shopping, but the kid had looked so devastated at the thought of not seeing Cass and Alex’s baby that she’d let her go with Agnes to the cottage. She knew they’d probably be back at Ali’s flat by now but hadn’t yet gone round. Agnes had a way with Elvie, had been getting her to open up and talk. Marlo knew it was doing the youngster good, teaching her to trust again.

She should have been nervous at the prospect of the immigration meeting Ali had told her about, but she wasn’t. She just knew in her heart it would all go their way and Elvie would be allowed to stay. She’d been giving a lot of thought about what would happen. At only fifteen years, if Elvie was granted immigration status, it would mean she’d be placed in a family home or with a foster parent. Marlo had experience of both, and in her opinion neither would be suitable. She needed to talk to Ali to see what she could do.

Marlo had been to visit Connor that afternoon. He was still unconscious, but he was breathing on his own now, which was good. She’d sat with him a while, reading the articles out of the newspaper and chatting about nothing. When his sister, Marie, had arrived, Marlo had made her exit. She’d checked on his uncle’s welfare also – he was in a medically induced coma and hadn’t been woken.

She didn’t know what to think any more. She’d trusted Connor. He’d become part of the team rapidly even if he was surly at times. A small part of her doubted him, wondered how involved he was with his uncle, but then her heart was telling her he was a good man and that she ought to trust him. She sighed, something else to talk to Ali about, she supposed.

Marlo felt her cheeks colour. She was a little ashamed to admit she’d practically been waiting for him to come home, jumping at every slight sound in the corridor then being bitterly disappointed every time it wasn’t him. Sad is what it is. You’ve not even been on one date and you’re hankering after him like a lost puppy.

But she managed to drown out her negative thoughts – it wasn’t like she was falling in love with him or anything. She liked him. He was a nice guy. There was nothing wrong with that. Aye if you say so, pet.

As the knock she’d been waiting for finally sounded, she pulled the door open with a smile.

‘Oh, thank God you’re home, I need wine!’ said Deena, breezing inside and heading for the kitchen. ‘You do have wine, right?’

‘Yeah, there’s a couple of bottles in the cupboard beside the sink – did we have plans for tonight?’ asked Marlo, wondering if she’d forgotten.

‘Nope, I’ve just had a shit day and needed wine and a whinge. You fancy pizza or Chinese for tea?’

Marlo took the glass offered by Deena. ‘Shit day? Why?’

‘Am sick to death of bloody post-mortems, pardon the pun. Seem to have drawn the short straw this week. Had two today, both suicides. Heartbreaking it is. One of them was only a young lad. Had his whole life ahead of him.’

‘Sorry, love. Are you back in tomorrow?’

‘No, it’s finally my rest days – and this time I’m turning my mobile off. No way is work calling me in if something kicks off. I’m away the day after tomorrow – going to see my sister in Liverpool for a couple of days. She would absolutely have the biggest drama queen hissy fit if I cancelled again!’

Deena took a long swig of her wine, topped the glass up, then made her way