Page 75 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

When Jessica got home, David was in the kitchen on his laptop.

She told him she’d invited a colleague, Mike Chapman, to join them for dinner and hoped he didn’t mind.

‘Not at all. I’ll have someone sensible to talk to while you and Donna natter away.

Is it anything serious?’ he asked with raised eyebrows.

‘I like him, but we’re just friends,’ Jessica told him. ‘I said to meet us in The Bull at seven.’

‘I can’t remember the last time you went on a date.’

‘It’s not a date,’ she said, shaking her head.

‘How’s Donna getting to The Bull?’ she asked, changing the subject.

‘She’s coming here about quarter to seven. Do you mind driving?’

‘That means I can’t have a drink then.’

‘No, we can get a cab back if you’re over the limit and you can pick up the car in the morning.’ Jessica didn’t say anything as she only intended to have a couple of drinks. ‘How’s the investigation going?’ he asked.

‘Hard to believe, but its nearly all wrapped up. Just a few loose ends,’ she said, not wanting to talk about the De Klerks.

‘Was your new boss pleased?’

‘Over the moon actually. MSCAN is off to a cracking start.’

‘Long may it continue,’ David said with a smile.

‘Right, I better go and get ready. Are you OK with me using the bathroom first . . . or is Donna in there?

‘Very funny. I’ll jump in the shower after you.’

As she walked to her room, she suddenly remembered something and returned to the kitchen. ‘I’m really sorry, David. I was so wrapped up in the investigation that I forgot you were going to the hospital today.’

‘It’s all right. I know your head’s all over the place. It always is when you’re on a case.’

‘So how did it go?’ She sat down opposite him.

‘I had a consultation with a specialist called Doctor Bennett. She asked lots of questions, took another blood sample and did a physical examination to test my muscle strength. I then had an MRI scan and a . . .’ he paused as he looked at his laptop to make sure he pronounced it right, ‘ . . . an electromyogram test which is used to detect neuromuscular abnormalities.’

‘Was it painful?’

‘It stung a bit when the nurse put the needle into various muscles, and they’re still a bit tender. Doctor Bennett also took some muscle tissue samples for microscopic testing, but it takes a week or two to get the results back.’

‘Did Doctor Bennett give you a diagnosis?’

‘She thinks I have a disease called polymyositis.’

‘What’s polystisis?’ she asked, pronouncing it wrong.

David laughed. ‘Watch my lips. It’s pol-ee-migh-oh-SIGH-tuhss. You can abbreviate it to PM, but maybe not, as that means dead body examinations to you, doesn’t it?’

‘Right, got it, but what is it, and what does it do to you?’

‘It’s a form of myositis and generally happens to men aged thirty to sixty. You can have it for months or even years before it is diagnosed. It affects the muscles, their connective tissues and sometimes the joints, causing chronic muscle inflammation and weakness.’

‘But how did you get it?’ she asked, beginning to feel seriously concerned.

‘They don’t know for sure what causes it. Doctor Bennett did say it could be a genetic disorder. She advised that you get a blood test done.’

‘I’ll book an appointment on Monday,’ she said.

‘I’m still trying to get my head around everything, but this website says .

. .’ he looked at his laptop again, ‘. . . it causes the immune system to turn against the body and attack its own tissues, blood vessels, fibres and joints. Some think it’s started by a virus or the combination of a viral infection and a defective immune system. ’

‘Is it curable?’

David shook his head. ‘Looks like I’m stuck with it. But don’t worry . . . it’s not contagious,’ he said with a grin.

Jessica couldn’t bring herself to ask if it was life-threatening. ‘Can it be treated?’

‘There’s no cure, but there is medication to help manage the symptoms like steroids and immunosuppressants.

Doctor Bennett emailed me different exercises I can do to help restore my muscle strength and arranged a physiotherapy appointment.

’ He smiled. ‘She even recommended meditation, so I hope you can help me with that.’

‘Of course. It’ll be nice to have someone to do it with,’ she said, trying to be upbeat.

‘Don’t look so worried. Although it’s a chronic illness, it’s rarely fatal. I’ll learn how to adapt and cope with it so I can live as normal a life as possible.’

She was close to tears. ‘I’m so sorry, David. It’s hard to know what to say, but I’ll do everything I can to help you.’

He got up from his chair and hugged her tightly. ‘l know you will. That’s why I love you.’

‘And I love you,’ she replied, hugging him tighter as she started to cry.

David stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes. ‘Don’t you start, or you’ll get me going.’

‘You’re very upbeat about it all,’ Jessica said, grabbing a sheet of kitchen roll, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.

‘I wasn’t when Doctor Bennett first told me.

If it wasn’t for Donna being there, I think I’d have had a total meltdown.

Donna told me it wasn’t the end of the world and to be positive.

She said onwards and upwards and live the best life possible, even when facing hard times or an uncertain future, and that’s what I intend to do. ’

‘Donna is a very astute lady. I’m pleased she’s there for you.’

‘She’s already helped me find online sites and blogs where people with polymyositis talk positively about living with the disease. It’s all quite inspiring, actually.’

‘As are you, David. I’m really proud of the way you are handling this.’

David looked at his watch. ‘We better get a move on, or we’ll be late. You don’t want your new boyfriend thinking you’re a no-show.’

She wagged a finger at him. ‘I told you, he’s just a friend.’

‘I’ll be the judge of that. Now, get a move on.’

Jessica had a quick shower, and while she got dressed, she thought about David’s diagnosis and how it would affect his life.

She knew nothing about his disease other than what he had told her earlier and decided to look it up on her iPad – then quickly regretted it.

Although David had spoken about some of the problems he would face, he hadn’t mentioned the serious complications.

She read that if the oesophagus muscles are affected, swallowing and digestive problems could occur, leading to weight loss, malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, as you’re more likely to breathe food or saliva into your lungs.

Breathing problems were also mentioned. If your chest muscles are affected, shortness of breath and respiratory failure could occur.

It also raises the risk of heart disease, lung disease, cancer and other connective tissue diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Most worrying was the estimation that about one in ten people who have polymyositis die from it or related diseases, and the condition slowly gets worse.

Jessica closed the iPad and threw it on the bed, wishing she’d never looked at it.

She decided to wait until another time to discuss David’s illness in more depth.

If he was determined to be so positive, she knew she had to be the same.

However, she couldn’t stop herself fearing for David’s future and worrying about the return of his depression, especially if he and Donna were to split up.

David was still getting ready when Donna arrived, and Jessica managed to have a quick chat with her in the kitchen. She thanked her for all her support at the hospital. ‘It can’t have been easy for you.’

‘I was glad to be there for him, Jessica. My mother had motor neurone disease and died from it a few years ago. David’s illness is not as severe, but he will face many of the same problems MND sufferers have, like muscle weakness, dysphagia and respiratory problems. Being positive is a must for him and those close to him, and I’ll do everything I can to keep his spirits up and help him deal with it.

I know from experience it will be a tough time for you as well, but if ever you need someone to talk to, I’m a good listener. ’

‘Thank you, Donna. I’m so glad my brother’s met someone as kind and considerate as you.’

Donna smiled. ‘I know our relationship came as a bit of a surprise to you. It’s a bit of a whirlwind romance, but we are very fond of each other and want to have a long and lasting relationship.

And in case you’re wondering, he told me about his depression.

That’s something else I know a bit about, so it doesn’t faze me.

You mustn’t worry. I think we’re going to be all right. ’

Jessica felt relieved. ‘Well, he was very secretive about you, which is typical of him, but David clearly thinks the world of you. I better tell him to hurry up or we’ll be late. Oh, I’ve also invited a colleague from work. His name is Mike Chapman. I think you’ll like him.’

‘Is he . . . ?’

‘No, just a friend,’ she said firmly.

Donna grinned. ‘You never know, perhaps that will change this evening.’

The pre-dinner drinks at The Bull went well, Jessica thought.

Chapman looked tired, but he was friendly and seemed to be enjoying himself.

The lively conversation continued through the meal, and she was relieved to see how well Mike and David got on.

She had also really taken a shine to Donna and was pleasantly surprised to find how smart and well-read she was.

She was also very interested in Jessica’s work and asked lots of thoughtful questions.

Midway through the meal, Jessica’s phone started ringing. ‘This better not be work,’ she sighed, looking at the number. ‘OK, definitely not work. It’s a plus one number followed by eight, zero, four.’

‘Plus one is the code for America,’ Chapman said.

‘Probably a cold call wanting you to buy bitcoins. I wouldn’t answer if I were you,’ David said.