‘Well done, Danny. You’ve been really helpful in telling me this, but you need to rest now. And don’t worry, I’ll do everything I can to help Sally and we can talk some more tomorrow, okay?’

Danny nodded and closed his eyes.

Martha smiled her thanks to Suni, who explained she would go back to the station to fulfil her promise to Danny but was still available on her phone should they want to contact her. As she left, Martha felt somewhat guilty. Suni’s eyes had held such empathy for Danny that they shone in the dim light of the room and her tone was gentle, friendly. Perhaps Martha had looked upon Suni as a nuisance, a spy almost, when she was on their side all the time and could have been a real help if they’d allowed her to be. Martha looked at her son. Danny would probably sleep through the night.

Richard broke into her thoughts. ‘Can I get you another coffee or anything?’ Her answer was a curt ‘no’. The couple sat in silence for an hour or so, focussing on their son, until Martha spoke.

‘You may as well go – he doesn’t need both of us here and the police might have some news. You won’t want them telling Mum before they tell you, will you?’

Richard sighed. ‘Do you want me to pick up a few things for you if you’re staying? I can soon bring them back.’

‘No, the nurses have been kind enough to give me all I need.’ Martha kept her eyes on Danny while she spoke. Richard stood to leave. He bent to kiss his son and stroked a lock of stray hair off his face. He wished his wife goodnight and left.

When he was out of the room, Martha rested her head on the side of the bed and cried softly to herself, unable to hold back the tears yet not wanting to wake her son. Her wish had come true and Danny was safe, but her marriage was crumbling. What would the future hold for them all?

53

DAY 6

Richard turned the key in the front door and entered as quietly as possible, hoping his mother-in-law would have gone to bed, although it was only 9.30pm. She had not.

‘Well!’ Elaine frowned. ‘I didn’t expect you’d leave Martha there alone.’

‘It’s what she wanted.’ He gave a tight smile. His mother-in-law seemed to have the power to irritate him every time she spoke, even if it was only to offer a cup of tea.

‘Have you eaten?’ she asked as if to prove his point.

‘No. Not hungry and I’m sick of coffee. I’ll just grab a beer and get off to bed. It’s been a long day.’ Richard went to the kitchen and took a cold beer from the fridge.