Part 33 (2/2)

The harbour where his boats were bobbing, tied up against the wall.

The shelter where Grant had died.

No, he mustn't think about Grant. He looked again over the rooftops of Trevay. Now he could see Grant smoking at the school gate.

Grant hiding in the yard outside the sheds watching him and Loveday.

Grant lying in the churchyard.

Grant sitting in this office.

Jesse hated these thoughts. He'd had them on and off since Grant had died. If he was strong enough, he could make them go away. And they would go away, but tonight they were real and sharp. Why didn't b.l.o.o.d.y Grant leave him in peace?

Jesse went to the office kitchen and filled the kettle to make another cup of coffee.

He heard what sounded like the lift, whirring its way up to his floor.

Was that the lift he heard?

He stepped out of the kitchen and listened.

Yes. The lift, definitely.

Who would come into the office at this time?

Had he locked the front door?

He couldn't remember.

He stepped back into the kitchen, turned the light off and stood very still.

The lift stopped.

The doors opened.

He heard the rustle of clothing as someone got out and started walking towards his office.

He could hear his breathing.

He could hear their breathing.

When he judged that they were almost adjacent to the kitchen doorway, he leapt out, shouting a huge roar.

The woman screamed, dropped her bag and ran back to the lift.

'Loveday,' said Jesse, running after her. 'Loveday. 'Tis only me.'

She stopped running and he could see the fear on her face. 'Jesse.' She was breathless. 'What the bleddy 'ell you do that for?'

'I thought you was a burglar.'

'Well, I'm not.' She started to giggle. 'You'm bleddy frightening when you shout like that.'

'I meant to be. Anyhow, serves you right for sneaking up on me.'

'I was not sneaking. I came in to make sure I had all the doc.u.ments you'll need for the accountant tomorrow and found the front door unlocked. I thought it would be you. I saw your office lights on, so I came up to say h.e.l.lo. Got the bleddy fright of my life instead!'

'Sorry. Want a coffee?'

'I need a bleddy brandy.'

'I've got some whisky?'

'No, you're all right. Give us a coffee, I'll get the papers you need and I'll be off home.'

Loveday took her coffee down to her ground-floor office and soon became absorbed in answering emails and checking her diary for the week ahead. The phone on her desk rang, startling her. She looked at her watch and saw that an hour and a half had gone by. It must be Mickey.

'Hi, Mick. Sorry I've been so long. I'm on my way now. Shall I pick up some fish and chips or have you and the kids eaten?'

Jesse's voice replied, 'No, I haven't eaten yet, but I'd love fish and chips with you.'

Loveday laughed. 'Oh, sorry, Jesse. I'm just emailing the stuff up to you now.

'What would I do without you? Did you put the spreadsheets in?'

'Of course.'

'Thank you. The accountants always love a spreadsheet.'

Loveday had the receiver between her shoulder and her chin as she tried to put one arm into the sleeve of her coat. 'Well, I'll be off, if there's nothing else you need.'

'No, that's fine,' said Jesse. 'See you tomorrow.'

'Yeah, see you tomorrow.'

'Oh ... er, Loveday?'

'Yeah?'

'Fancy that gla.s.s of whisky before we shut up shop for the night?'

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