‘That can’t be true.’
‘You went away. Canada or somewhere?’
‘Washington State, US.’
‘He never forgot you. Tried to, mind.’
‘We were kids.’
‘Yeah, well. There you go.’
He drops Eve off in the hospital car park, and she runs inside. It takes her several minutes to find the intensive care ward, but eventually she’s making her way between green-curtained rows of beds, peering apologetically at the patients and their visitors.
Seeing her approach, Philippa jumps up from her chair at Tom’s bedside. ‘Thank yousomuch, Eve,’ she says quietly. ‘I didn’t know who else to call. I know lots of people, but…’ She looks round anxiously. ‘Everyone talks. They gossip. And…’
Eve looks at Tom. He’s pale and blank-faced, clearly sedated, propped up against pillows. A blue cotton hospital gown doesn’t quite conceal the blood-soaked dressing on his left shoulder. ‘What happened?’ she asks Philippa.
‘He was stabbed. Three men, not local, walked into the café. They slapped Tom around and kicked him, and when he was on the ground one of them stabbed him. Twice. In the side and in the shoulder. He’d have gone on, probably would’ve killed him, but the others ran off and he followed them. Tom was lying there, bleeding, for about five minutes, until a customer came in. Took one look and called an ambulance.’
‘What time did all this happen?’
Philippa folds her arms. ‘Midday, give or take.’
‘Does Tom know who these men were?’
‘He says no.’
‘You believe him?’ Eve murmurs.
‘No. And I’m pretty sure the police didn’t either.’
Eve reaches out a hand. ‘Philippa, I’m so sorry. This is just awful.’
She nods. ‘Yeah. It’s bad. Really bad. And it’s my fault. I let him do what he wanted for too long, no questions asked. I thought it was just girls and the pub and that, maybe a bit of blow, but there was obviously a lot else going on.’
‘What makes you say that?’
In answer Philippa reaches into her bag. ‘I went into his room before coming here to get his overnight things, and I found this.’ She hands Eve a watch.
It’s a Rolex, with a gold face, gold dial and gold band. It sits weightily in Eve’s hand.
‘Where would he get something like this?’ Philippa asks. ‘It must be worth, I don’t know?—’
‘Did the police see it?’
‘No. You must be joking.’
‘Has Tom been flashing money around recently? Money that he didn’t earn at the café?’
‘Not in front of me. But he wouldn’t be that daft. He knows I’d be straight down his throat.’
‘You know what this is all pointing to, don’t you?’
‘I do, and I feel so stupid myself. Away with the fairies, all my spells and witchcraft, and meanwhile my child’s being groomed by fuckin’ drug dealers.’ She bares her teeth. ‘I could kill them, Eve. I’m not joking. And if I get the chance I will.’
21
‘I’m very happy that you’re here,’ Yilmaz says. ‘I’m told that Ruffley Royal nannies have a unique reputation.’ He speaks quietly, as if choosing his words with care.