Chapters (85)
He walks away, back to his car. The first responder vehicle is parked behind, blocking him in, and he waits outside for the paramedic.
He looks back at the house. The door is still open, and but for the broken window he’d never have guessed what was happening there on an innocent Friday night. He watches as the paramedic appears, closing the door behind him and joining him in the road.
‘Orgies, huh?’ he says as he stands next to Robin. He throws his bag in the back of the ambulance car. ‘Didn’t fancy asking for a freebie?’ he laughs.
‘Maybe another night, diary’s full for now,’ Robin replies drily. ‘That woman okay?’
‘Superficial head lac. They bleed like buggery though, make one hell of a mess. Told her to make sure someone watches her tonight in case of concussion.’ The paramedic gets into the front seat. ‘Think she was glad to get rid of me. Pity. I wouldn’t have minded giving her a try.’
‘Mate…’ Robin starts, about to chastise the guy, but the door slams and the paramedic pulls out into the night. He wonders about the son, growing up in a house where sex parties are the norm. Would it make you more accepting of sex, or more of a prude? The latter, it seems.
Robin gets back into his car, wondering if he’s done the right thing by letting the kid get away with it. But he knows that a criminal record on someone so young never does any good, and he’s always open for second chances. He’s had so many himself, after all.
He sighs, then picks up his phone and calls the direct dial into the control room.
‘You got anything else for me?’ he asks them.
The woman on the other end laughs. ‘Anyone would think you’ve not got a home to go to, Butler,’ she comments. ‘You’re off the clock. Go and have some fun.’
Robin thinks about his quiet house. Nothing but a television remote waiting for him, and the promised Indian takeaway.
Fun isn’t how he’d describe it. But he starts the engine, and heads home.
2
She’s never sure whether she feels seedy, guilty or excited when she makes her excuses and bunks off work early, driving home pre-rush hour and putting her key in the door with a burst of anticipation.
She kicks her shoes off in the hallway, then sends a text: I’m home x. She goes into the bathroom, has a shower, messy ponytail bundled up out of the way on the top of her head. After, she checks her hair in the steamed-up mirror, smoothing stray strands into place. She applies a quick brush of make-up and puts on jeans and a T-shirt over her best bra and knickers. Underwear she’s bought especially for him.