‘Have you received anything like this in the last few weeks?’

‘No, but even if I had, I wouldn’t be coming to you lot about it,’ she snorted.

‘I think that’s enough for now.’ Barrett got up, his chair squeaking across the floor. ‘We’ll be in touch if we need anything else. Palmer, show her out.’ Barrett was not inclined to say goodbye to Shirley and he left the room without even a glance in her direction.

20

6pm 27 June

Maggie was beside herself when she picked up the phone to Marion. Her hand trembled as she gripped her mobile, willing Marion to answer sooner rather than later.

‘Hello?’

‘Marion, it’s Maggie.’

‘Ah, hello, pet. Everything alright?’ Marion immediately recognised the panic in Maggie’s voice.

‘Not really. Johnny, Amy’s husband. He’s in hospital. He’s been in a car crash. It doesn’t sound good.’

‘Good grief. Is Amy alright? And the baby?’

‘They weren’t in the car.’ She paused, grateful that Amy and her baby were safe. ‘Look, I hate to do this, but I need a favour. I’ve tried Kim, but she can’t help.’ Maggie spoke quickly, not drawing breath. ‘She’s got the twins and Dylan and can’t get away. I mean, I would ask Terry, but he’s working late.’

‘How can I help?’

‘I need a lift.’

‘No problem. It ain’t far to Addenbrookes.’

‘No, Marion, that’s the thing. He’s in hospital in Nottingham. That’s where he was when he had the accident.’

‘What was he doing there?’

‘He was on his way back to Cambridge.’ Maggie resisted explaining any more. ‘And I just got the call from Amy. She’s in an awful state. The police are driving her up there but she’s all alone. He’s gone into surgery.’

‘Don’t say another word.’ Marion could always be relied on in a crisis. ‘Let me get Arthur’s dinner on the table and then I’ll come and pick you up, pet. Give me half an hour.’

‘Thank you.’ Maggie thought she might cry. ‘Thank you so much. I didn’t know who else to call.’

‘You did the right thing. That poor girl shouldn’t be on her own. She’ll need her friends around her.’

‘That’s what I thought.’

‘All this stress can’t be doing her any good.’ Marion remembered back to the days when she was pregnant. ‘You did the right thing. Make yourself a cuppa and wait for me. I’ll beep when I’m outside.’

‘Great. Thanks, Marion. See you soon.’ Maggie hung up and dashed around the house getting a few things together that she thought might be useful. She put some crisps and fruit in a bag, along with a book she thought Amy would enjoy, as well as a jumper in case it was cold in the hospital.