‘Lucy …’ Cora’s voice had changed slightly. There was less annoyance there now. ‘I know you don’t remember it, but … well, I was part of that world once.’

‘No, Mum … you weren’t. You were a stripper in a sleazy nightclub. Everything’s got a lot worse since then, especially where Dad’s concerned. Back then, his job meant throwing drunks out. It’s a thousand million times more violent now.’

Lucy was still stunned that she was having this conversation. The mere thought that Frank McCracken might even be vaguely interested in recommencing a relationship with middle-aged ex-flame Cora seemed surreal, if not downright ludicrous, except that he’d been so ambivalent when Lucy had laid it on the line for him.

‘How is he anyway?’ Cora asked.

‘He had minor surgery last night, but he’s okay. He was talking a short time after.’

A faint sigh sounded.

‘Can’t you just stay away?’ Lucy begged her. ‘For a couple of days, at least. I mean, St Winifred’s is a hive of police officers at present. DSU Nehwal’s on the case. She knows you’re my mother, and if she spots you hanging around, she’ll want to know why.’

‘I can’t help how I feel, Lucy.’

‘I know that, but … he just isn’t the man he was. You were a daft girl then, Mum, and he was a daft lad. Trust me, so much has changed … and much, much for the worse.’

Another sigh, this one deeper, more heartfelt. ‘I’ll stay away.’

Lucy closed her eyes with relief.

‘But only for a day or so. He sent me those flowers and birthday wishes, Lucy. He’s the only man who’s done anything like that for me in the last thirty years. I have to go and check on him at some point.’

‘Okay, fair enough.’ Lucy didn’t like that caveat but supposed she could work with it. ‘Just be careful when you do. Make sure there’s no one around who knows you.’

‘I’ll try.’

She’ll try. Wonderful …

The station’s personnel door banged closed. Lucy turned, and saw Nehwal approaching, digging into her capacious pockets, presumably for her car keys.

‘I’ve got to go, Mum. I’ll call you as soon as I hear something.’

‘Thank you.’

Lucy cut the call.

‘Everything all right?’ Nehwal asked.

‘My mum. She heard about the shootings on the news. Wanted to make sure I’m okay.’

Nehwal nodded and climbed in behind the wheel. Lucy slid into the front passenger seat.

‘We’ve heard from St Winifred’s,’ the DSU said as she drove them out. ‘Your pal Peabody’s going to be all right.’

‘Thank God for that.’

‘Someone clouted him with a blunt object. He’s had stitches and he’s got concussion, but they’re letting him out.’

‘We’ll need to debrief him.’