Hit and Run by Maria Frankland (best book recommendations txt) 📗

“We’ve double checked everything before coming here. The bike itself, the debit card he had on him…”

“Hang on - did you say fatal?” It’s as though I’m watching this unfold from elsewhere. It’s a strange feeling, like I’m not in my body.

“I’m so sorry Mrs Matherson. Subject to an identification, which we’ll need you to do as soon as you feel able, it appears that the victim of the road traffic accident was your husband.”

I choke on a sob. I don’t know if I can face having to identify him. I stare into the sky. How can news about death occur on such a beautiful day? I tremble in the heat, feeling cold, wondering if there’s any brandy left in the house.

DI Green must read my mind. “Can I get you anything?” she asks. “Or let someone know?”

“Are you really sure it’s him? I mean, he’s such a safe cyclist. And by half past ten he’d have been well beyond Skipton.”

“We’re as sure as we can be,” the PC says gently. “Is there anyone who can be with you? You shouldn’t be on your own.”

“Can you ring my mother?” I slide the phone across the table. I don’t want to take Mum’s rejection first-hand, if that’s what comes. “She’s away, but I’m sure she’ll come.” Surely at a time like this, she’ll put Jack and me before her married lover. Besides, Dad thinks she’s here, and he’s going to have to know what’s happened soon. He’ll be straight over, so she needs to get back.

DI Green holds the phone towards me so I can unlock it with my thumbprint. “I take it she’s listed in your phone as Mum?”

I nod. I’m totally numb. Rob’s not really dead. Until I see him with my own eyes, I won’t believe it’s true. I listen as DI Green is connected to my mother. Apart from the birds and a rustle through the trees, the garden is so quiet that I can hear what my mother is saying.

“Fiona – what is it? Has your dad been ringing already?”

“Sorry this isn’t Fiona. My name is Detective Inspector Diane Green from Weetwood Police Station.” She tucks a stray hair that’s fallen from her ponytail behind her ear.

“Oh, I see. Is Fiona alright?”

It’s the first time my mother has shown any concern towards me. Even in my benumbed state, something inside me warms.

“Yes, she’s fine. But she’s too shaken to ring you herself and has asked me to do it for her. I believe you’re away right now?”

“That’s right. I’m in Devon for a fortnight.”

“Is there any way you can make your way to your daughter’s? She really needs you here. I’m afraid we’ve had to give her some terrible news.”

“What news?”

“Am I alright to tell her over the phone?” DI Green looks at me, her eyes still watery. It must be hard for the police, having to impart this sort of thing. I guess it’s what they’re trained for though.

I hold my hand out for the phone. It will be better coming from me, not a stranger. Not that it’s sunk in yet.

“Mum,” I say, my voice wobbling, and the phone shaking within my grip.

“What is it Fiona? Is it Jack? Is everything alright?”

“It’s Rob,” I begin, knowing as soon as I say the words, it makes them real. An image of him floods my mind. My six-foot-two handsome husband. Yes, things have gone awry, but we were deliriously happy once. Maybe we could have been again. Now I will never know.

“He’s. He’s…” I can’t say it.

DI Green takes the phone back from me. “Am I OK to tell her?”

I nod.

She takes a deep breath. “It’s DI Green again. I’m really sorry to be the one to tell you this – have you got anyone with you?”

Mum is made of steel, I think to myself – she doesn’t need someone with her.

DI Green continues. “Your son-in-law was involved in a fatal road traffic accident this morning.” She looks at me again. “If there is any way you can get here to be with your daughter, then…”

“I can’t,” I hear my mother say, curtly. “I’ve got plans over the next few days.”

I take the phone back and raise it to my ear. “Please Mum. I need you here.” And I really do. It suddenly dawns on me I don’t want to be alone and there are not many friends I can call on. My former friends were merely drunken acquaintances. I’ve become somewhat a loner over the last year.

“You know the score Fiona. I’ll be arriving in Devon shortly. You must have a friend who can come and babysit you. Or get the brandy out.”

Momentarily, all thoughts of Rob are swept aside. Bitch. She knows of the problems I’ve had with drink and she recommends brandy. “It’s OK,” I say with a mock sweetness to my voice. “You enjoy your holiday. I’m sure Dad will drop everything to come and help me.”

“You wouldn’t…”

I don’t hang around to hear what she’s got to say. I cut her off.

“Is she not able to come?” DI Green reaches across the table and squeezes my arm. “Is there someone else I can call for you?”

“I’ll ring my Dad shortly.”

“Can I get you a cup of tea?”

I nod. “The kitchen’s through there.” That’s it. Yorkshire’s answer to it all. A cup of bloody tea.

* * *

I have rarely driven a vehicle at such speed.

My feet shook against the pedals as I neared my target

Right before impact, our eyes locked.

What could I see?

Confusion?

Fear?

It was all over so quickly.

Chapter 6

I am too lost in my swirling thoughts to bother about PC Robinson’s presence, or the silence between us. He shuffles awkwardly on the garden bench. Normally I witter away to mask the quiet when I’m in the company of someone I don’t know well. He looks young, only mid-twenties, probably unaccustomed to breaking news of this