‘So what will happen to her? Will she stand trial at a later date?’ he asked.
‘That seems unlikely. I’ve seen the medical reports. They seem to suggest that Mrs Parker’s violent episodes have continued to escalate and she needs long term medication and supervision. The recommendation is treatment and detention in a secure institution. The report is quite lengthy and rather wordy as these things are, but I’m sure it could be made available to you if you wish to see it. It contains the usual jargon regarding biological and neurological reasons for her “condition”, but doesn’t hold out much hope of any change in the near future. As I say, my work on this case is now done and I just wanted to update you on what is, or rather, isn’t, happening.’
‘I don’t want to see the report. There’s no point in reading it as far as I can see. In a way I’m sorry that Pam won’t be held accountable for her actions, but if, as it seems, she’s had some kind of mental breakdown then we’ll just have to accept that she’ll be in the best place. At least she won’t be able to harm anyone else where she is.’ Joe was keen to finish the conversation and try to assimilate his thoughts on this latest development. ‘Thank you for keeping me informed, DS Armstrong. I appreciate your efforts.
The call ended and Joe smiled. He’s got me talking like a textbook now too, he thought. He made coffee and sat in the conservatory to collect his thoughts. Perhaps this was the best outcome after all. He was fed up with all the worry and negativity of late and if this was the best he could expect, then so be it, he’d take it, and hopefully put an end to this chapter in his life.
Joe needed to tell someone and his first thought was of Hannah Graham, so he picked up the telephone and tapped in her number. Since they’d met at Timmy’s Farm, he’d rung several times and they’d chatted quite easily; a comfortable bond seemed to have formed between them and it felt as if they’d known each other for years rather than just a few short months.
Joe needed to talk and he knew already that Hannah was a good listener. Perhaps he’d suggest that they go out for a meal that evening, if she was free of course. As he listened to the ringtone at the other end of the line, he found he was really looking forward to the prospect of a night out with her.
‘I’d love to have dinner with you, Joe, what a lovely idea.’ Hannah sounded genuinely pleased, making Joe wish he’d asked sooner. ‘The twins left for university this week so a bit of cheering up is in order, thank you.’
Joe picked Hannah up later that evening and took her to a new restaurant which had been receiving rave reviews for its food. It was housed in a delightful conservatory addition to a traditional village pub, The Greyhound, and was bright and spacious with a delicious aroma wafting in from the kitchen.
They were shown to a corner table, prettily set for two, with a single rose and a lighted candle. The room was quite full but the space between the tables was generous, so they didn’t feel that their conversation would be overheard. A waiter left the menus with them and they took their time over their choices.
When their food was ordered and a glass of wine poured for them both, they quite naturally fell into easy conversation. Joe remarked on how lovely Hannah looked and a blush rose to her cheeks. He then moved on to describe his conversation with DS Armstrong, while she listened intently.
‘Perhaps it’s for the best,’ she commented when he was finished talking. ‘I know how much you were dreading testifying in court, so this could be a good thing, couldn’t it?’
‘Yes, I suppose so, but I hate the thought that she won’t stand trial and be punished for what she did.’
‘She’ll lose her freedom wherever she’s held, and I shouldn’t think a secure institute is much different from prison. Who knows, if it had gone to trial she might even have succeeded in painting David out to be the villain she said he was and got away with a more lenient sentence.’
‘You’re right. I need to put it behind me. There’s nothing else I can do, is there? Now, tell me how it went with Mel and Sam. Are they all settled in?’
‘Oh yes, and loving it by all accounts. They’re both good at making friends so I know they’ll be okay.’
‘But you’re their mother and you’ll worry anyway?’ Joe added, noticing the sadness creep into her eyes.
‘Yes, you’re right.’ She smiled. ‘But it’s in the job description so I’m allowed!’
The conversation moved on to other topics. Hannah filled him in on her work with Cassie and Alan, and the evening passed far too quickly for them both.
Not wanting their time together to end, Hannah invited Joe in for coffee when he took her home.
‘Can I help?’ he asked.
‘No thanks, it won’t be long.’ Hannah worked quickly in the kitchen, not wanting to miss a moment of Joe’s company. If she’d been on her own, her prosthetic leg would have been off by now, it was uncomfortable at the end of the day, but there was no way she was going to take it off in front of Joe.
‘Here we are.’ She smiled as she put a full tray on the coffee table and sat next to Joe on the sofa. Their conversation flowed as before, now covering their respective plans for Christmas. Hannah would have the children home and she wondered what Joe would be doing.
‘Nothing special,’ was his reply. ‘It’ll be the first without Alison of course, and I don’t think I’ll feel much like celebrating.’
Hannah thought for a few moments then asked, ‘Would you like to come here? It’ll be strange for me too, but the twins will be home and you’ll be very welcome. I’m not a bad cook either!’ She gave a nervous laugh, hoping he would say yes.
‘Are you sure, Hannah? I’d love to be with you, but how will the children feel about it?’
‘I’m sure they’ll welcome the opportunity to get to know you a little better.’ They were not empty words; she knew the twins really would take to Joe.
‘In that case I can hardly refuse. Thank you, I’d love to come.’
In that one evening their relationship changed and they were both aware of the subtle difference. Hannah welcomed it but was unsure how Joe was really feeling. She didn’t want the evening to end but when Joe moved slowly towards her to kiss her, she felt a sudden rush of uninvited panic and pulled away.
‘Joe ... doesn’t this,’ she put her hand on her knee, ‘repulse you at all?’ She had to ask; to make sure he knew what he was taking on, but as she stumbled over the words and feared what the answer might be, Joe silenced her with a kiss.
As they drew apart, the look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. This man will never hurt me, she thought, his love is solid, complete, as is mine for him!
‘Hannah,’ Joe whispered, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you!’
EPILOGUE
The last eighteen months had been a rollercoaster for Hannah and Joe. February’s accident heralded the very worst time of their lives, a time predominantly defined by loss and fear, a terrifying event which changed everything for them, and for so many others.
But then they met each other, and everything changed once again.
Joe proposed to Hannah in March, almost fourteen months since that fateful accident, and she had no hesitation in accepting. The twins were delighted for them. Sam gave Hannah away at the wedding in June, and Mel was Hannah’s maid-of-honour. It was a small affair with just the twins, Hannah’s neighbours Rosie and Frank, Cassie and Alan Jones, and Joe’s neighbours Phil and Helen. For the reception they hired the conservatory at The Greyhound, the scene of their first date.