AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Until the end of the week. Then the rent’s due, and I don’t have it.”
The sergeant shook his head. “Eh, lass. What a to-do.”
“I’ve tried. I swear I have. But…it’s so hard. I don’t know what to do.”
“I’ll have to let social services know. For the baby’s sake.”
She clutched her baby to her chest. “Please, they’ll take her away. Don’t let them take her.”
He was gentle, but adamant. “Love, it’s for the best. Just for a while. Until you get yourself straightened out.”
She clutched the baby even closer. “I don’t want to lose her…”
“I know. I understand that, but you can’t take proper care of her on your own. Not yet anyway. At least think about it.”
“Are you going to charge me?” She sniffled. “Over the window, I mean.”
“No, I don’t think so. How about I let you sleep in the interview room tonight? There’s a settee in there. I’ll send out for some baby milk and maybe a pack of nappies as well. In the morning, we can talk again.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
He offered her a sad smile and patted her on the shoulder. “We’ll see. For now, I think a nice cup of tea and maybe a sandwich. Our canteen isn’t up to much, but they do a decent egg and cheese on brown. Will that do?”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Just doing my job, miss. I wish it could be more…”
“This is Miss Fellowes. She’s from the Child Protection service,” the sergeant introduced the homely middle-aged woman at his side. “She needs to chat to you about Naomi.”
For the first time in days, Naomi was quietly sleeping. Her belly was full. She had a clean nappy on, and someone had even found a warm, soft blanket for her. She was content at last. These facts were not lost on the defeated young woman who held her.
A good night’s sleep and some decent food in her own stomach had helped her to gain a sense of perspective. And, perhaps, one of responsibility, too. Naomi depended on her to make the right decision, to put her baby’s needs first.
I can’t keep her. She needs more than this. More than me… But, I can’t bear to say ‘goodbye’ either.
“I… I need the loo.”
“Of course. I can wait.” Mrs Fellowes offered her a reassuring smile.
“Please, look after her for me.” She passed the sleeping infant to the social worker. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Of course. Yes, but—”
She glanced back, from the doorway. Just once.And said her goodbye in silence.
CHAPTER1
Cambridge, UK
November 2021
Ruth
The stack of files lands on my desk with a resounding thud. I cast a baleful look at the pile of documents, then at my sergeant seated opposite.
He smirks at me. “I hope you didn’t have plans for this evening, Lowison. That lot needs processing before you go.”
I sigh. At no point during my initial police training did anyone mention spending days on end filing. The police service is under-funded and overstretched as it is. Why not employ someone on minimum wage for this sort of thing and let the actual officers get on with proper policing? After all, that’s what the public wants. More bobbies on the beat, chasing real criminals, not form-filling. The refrain is never-ending.
