Page 49

Olly and I share an awkward glance.

Olly’s father was violent to Margaret. I suppose aggression runs in the family. Margaret left him for a cab driver called Freddy. Freddy is a rude, sexist pig, but he doesn’t hit women, so in Margaret’s eyes he’s wonderful.

‘I brought you boiled eggs for lunch,’ Margaret announces, rummaging in her huge shopping bag.

‘You’re staying for lunch?’ I ask, feeling myself smile. I like Margaret being here. Olly is always on best behaviour when his mother visits. ‘That’s lovely.’

Margaret smiles back. ‘How’s the nurse’s training going, love? Still sticking at it?’

‘I gave it up,’ I say. ‘I was slipping behind so I had to make a choice. Helping Olly recover is more important.’

Olly says tightly, ‘You slipping behind is nothing to do with my leg.’

‘I didn’t mean … Oh, never mind.’ I shake my head.

Margaret looks between the two of us. ‘Well, I hope Olly is looking after you,’ she says. ‘You’re doing a lot. Taking care of the house. And being pregnant makes you tired enough.’

‘He does look after me,’ I say, my eyes finding his. ‘Most of the time.’

Olly’s gaze softens. ‘I just want to get better, Lizzie. That’s all.’

‘I know you do.’

I manage a smile. But it’s a dishonest one. Pretty gift wrap for ugly feelings.

Secretly, I want to tell Margaret how Olly is behind closed doors. That he might be much more like his father than she realises. That aggression runs in the family …

Would she believe me? Would she stand up to him?

I don’t know.

Kate

3.47 p.m.

‘Leanne Neilson’s boyfriend has just been done for assault,’ says Tessa. It’s casual, as if she’s telling me it’s going to rain later.

I look up over rectangular glasses, fingers tightening around my biro. ‘Oh no. What? When?’

‘It was in the newspapers. Didn’t you see?’

‘No. I don’t read the news. I have enough drama at work.’

Tessa snorts. ‘Too right! You’ll need to speak to the Child Protection Unit. John Simmons is the one you want.’

‘I’ve already spoken to him. After Lloyd put Pauly in hospital. We’re still working out next steps. I’ll call him again.’

‘How did the Tom Kinnock visit go?’

‘I haven’t had time to make the visit yet.’

‘I suppose he isn’t in any immediate danger.’

‘Actually, there’s been a report from the Radley Road dropin centre—’

‘It shouldn’t have even beentransferredover to us.’ Tessa raises her voice to drown me out. ‘They should have shut it down at the London end. The father has supervised visits. It’s done and dusted. Get it off the books and you’ll be down to thirty cases.’

‘No,listen,’ I say. ‘There’s been new information. From a nurse at the Radford Road drop-in centre. The information came late, just like everything else around here. The drop-in centre is overworked too. Anyway, the nurse found marks on Tom’s arm a few days ago – the sort you get from an injection needle. The mother thinks it happened at Steelfield School.’