Paparazzi by Jo Fenton (best free e reader .txt) 📕

be thankful if wasn’t your father asking.” Joanna looks straight ahead; her tone is grim.

“Yeah, well, his method was to ask once, and if I didn’t answer within five seconds, he’s start removing his belt. I didn’t let him get beyond the first belt loop. It was far less painful to just tell him what he wanted to know.” Will sounds remarkably calm about it.

Joanna is still rigid in her seat. I put my hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently. “It must have been awful. We’ll keep you safe from him now.”

“That reminds me, Mum. I was going to ask if I could stay a bit longer. At least, I need to go back on Monday. Unfortunately, I have to return this little beauty,” Will pats the steering wheel lovingly, “and I’ve got a few things to collect from home. But if you’ll have me, I can work from your house as easily as from my flat, and I like it in Manchester. What do you think?”

Joanna’s shoulders appear to relax. “You can stay as long as you like. I feel safer with you around, and you’re good company for your old mum.”

“You’re not that old.” He flashes a quick grin at me, while we’re stopped at a red light. “You’ve still got a couple of years before we pension you off.”

***

Back at home (after a brief stop at the shops for the chocolate pudding), I check in on Matt. He’s been making steady progress, and is now walking every day, building up his strength. He’s watching darts on the telly when I get in.

I raise an eyebrow at him and then go into the kitchen to get dinner ready. He follows me.

“What’s up?”

“Darts isn’t your usual spectator sport. I don’t recall seeing you watch it in the past.”

“I’m obeying instructions.” He grins.

“Who from? Your doctor?”

“Roger. You’re supposed to be learning Russian and hacking; I need to learn all about darts.”

“Seriously?” Cynicism filters into my tones. There’s no point keeping secrets from Matt. Not about this anyway.

“Yep. He’s given me a couple of other things to focus on too.”

“Like what?”

“Getting fitter again. And watching over my family. When I’m able to drive again, he wants me to take an advanced driving course.”

“That all sounds very pleasant and safe.” I check the time and put a casserole in the oven (prepared by Matt earlier in the day and put in the fridge – he seems to have developed some skills whilst he’s been off).

“Yeah – I don’t quite get the darts request, but he’s clearly got something in mind. The driving makes sense. I’ve got another couple of weeks before I can start driving again, but I’ve checked out a few courses, and I think I’ll do the IAM Roadsmart test. That was the one Roger suggested.”

“So he didn’t give you a lot of choice then?”

“He said it was my decision, but you’re right. When he gives a suggestion, it usually means he expects it to be followed.” He watches me as I sink onto a kitchen chair. “You still look knackered. I hope you’re planning an early night after Cheryl’s told us her news.”

“I wish I could. Finn’s coming over to Joanna’s to compare notes on the Troy case. It’s all got really complicated. Troy’s in hospital. We found him unconscious at his friend’s flat this afternoon, and we don’t yet know why. And Penny showed up earlier having a wobble because three of her friends have been killed in a burglary, and she’s gone all paranoid thinking it’s linked to her. But it doesn’t quite add up. Which reminds me, I need to call Ellie.” I reach out to him across the table and grab his hand. “Be a sweetie and make me a coffee?”

“Sure. You sound like you need caffeine to get through this evening.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Our meeting with Finn is cancelled. I’m less disappointed than I expected. My weary brain is past being able to absorb any more information, and a migraine is threatening by the time he texts me at seven to say he won’t make it. He reschedules for tomorrow, and I go to bed. I don’t remember resting my head on the pillow, and wake up fourteen hours later, at 9am, refreshed and alert.

I check my phone before going for a shower. There’s a message from Gaz. ‘Troy’s ok. OD’d on sleeping pills. Not too many. He’ll be out of hospital tomorrow.’

I check the time of the message. Ten last night, so Troy will be back at Gaz’s today. That’s good. I message back. ‘Sounds good. I’ll call later and see how he is. Are you happy to have him back at yours?’

‘Sure. But I’m locking the medicine cabinet and hiding the key! Speak later.’

Another message is from Joanna:

‘Matt tells me you’ve gone to bed poorly. Hope you’re feeling better soon. Speak tomorrow.’

‘Sorry. Probably should have called you. Assumed that as Finn cancelled, that was me free to go to bed!’

The phone pings within seconds. ‘Hey, don’t worry. You needed to sleep. How are you?’

‘Lots better. I’ll be better still after coffee ;-). Speak soon. I’ll call you after breakfast.’

Showered and dressed, I wander downstairs to find Matt in the kitchen cutting bagels.

“Morning. Where did you get those from?”

“Dad dropped them off on his way to the golf club. He was worried about you. Said you’d been running around like an out-of-control golf buggy for days. He reckons smoked salmon bagels are medicinal.”

I’m inclined to agree with my delightful, and slightly scatty, father-in-law. By the time I’ve eaten my first bagel, loaded with cream cheese, smoked salmon, lemon and a little black pepper, I’m feeling a lot better. The coffee is helping too.

Matt’s sitting opposite me, eating slightly healthier options – with just a scraping of cream cheese and thin slivers of salmon on bagel halves.

“You’ve got some colour in your cheeks now, Becks. Dad was right.”

“Yes.” Time to focus on the essentials now, though. “How was Cheryl this morning?”

“Fine. When you went